OREM, UTAH, 5 Oct 2022 – The 1st International Academic Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals opened on Wednesday, bringing together academia, civil society and the private sector from around the world to discuss why the Global Goals matter.
Co-organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications and Utah Valley University, a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), the conference, titled “Why It Matters”, was held in person and virtually, with a view to academically addressing the challenges and opportunities related to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is the first of its kind.
Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez, President of the host institution, said that all 17 Goals “are very aspirational but are also something existential to us and for our future.” Highlighting the role of global cooperation in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Dr. Tuminez said: “Big issues are multilateral in nature as they are problems common to everybody and respect no borders. We must nurture curiosity about us and the rest of the world.”
In a special video message, Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, explained that “academia, civil society, and the private sector play a critical role in determining our collective path forward.” Ms. Fleming stressed: “Your commitment to open dialogue and collaboration and your support to the universal principles of the SDGs is inspiring because education is key in advancing progress for all people.”
Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the Department of Global Communications, stressed: “We need to bring communities together to rebuild the momentum we need for the SDGs.” Echoing his words, Jayashri Wyatt, Chief of the Education Outreach Section at the Department, commented that “we need to look at the role of academia in global cooperation and invite people around the world to share their best practices on the SDGs.”
On the margins of the conference, Lauren Taylor, an Australian student at Utah Valley University, said in a message to fellow students: “We really do have power.” Indeed, in a panel discussion, young refugees from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia shared their stories of overcoming challenges and pointed out the importance of education.
Several dozen peer-reviewed scholarly papers presented during the conference, which runs through 7 October 2022, will become part of an outcome document.
To see the video recordings of the conference click here.
