University Sector Support to the UN’s Decade of Action | A Meeting of Asia, Europe and the Middle East University Presidents (Virtual)

    University Sector Support to the UN’s Decade of Action: A Meeting of Asia, Europe and the Middle East University Presidents (Virtual)

    On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, the Asia, Europe and the Middle East University Presidents Meeting brought together University Presidents, UN and Government representatives, along with experts from the region, SDSN Network Chairs, Managers, and members of the SDSN Leadership Council, to discuss how universities can contribute to the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement and engage with local governments and communities through their key functions.

    Throughout this 3-hour meeting, which welcomed over 150 participants, including the Presidents of 100 Universities from 45 different countries, spea kers and participants emphasized the importance of making universities global leaders in achieving the 17 SDGs.

    Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the SDSN, welcomed the participants by stating that universities have an important role to play, and carry a unique responsibility, in a world whose complexity has been stressed by the global pandemic. Opening remarks were given by Ms. Niki Kerameus, the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs in Greece. Minister Kerameus shared her government’s efforts to promote education for sustainable development, including establishing specific units dedicated to sustainable development, launching a network for sustainability, and by integrating the SDGs in its strategic plans.

    These opening remarks were followed by a Panel with Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, Andrew Haines, Professor of Environmental Change and Public Health at LSHTM, Vladimir A. Mau, Rector of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), and Vuk Jeremić, President of the Centre for International Relations and Sustainable Development and former President of the UN General Assembly.

    Three breakout sessions moderated by SDSN Network Chairs:

    • Thematic Group No1 on Education Programs for Sustainable Development was co-chaired by Paul Walsh, Full Professor of International Development Studies and an elected member of the Governing Authority in University College Dublin, together with Mr. Omar Hernández, Public Information Officer at the UN, and Prof. Smriti Das, Associate Professor at TERI School of Advanced Studies.

    • Thematic Group No2 on Climate Change and Research Programs was chaired by Phoebe Koundouri, University Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business and Director of ReSEES Research Laboratory.

    • Thematic Group No3, Building Forward Better, was chaired by Zulfiqar Bhutta, University Professor at Aga Khan University and Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development.

    Upcoming University Presidents Meetings are as follows:
    Africa: March 10th, 3pm West Africa Time (UTC +1)
    Americas: April 21st, 12pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)

    Learn more here

    Find attached

    Meeting Summary

    Participants List