Zhejiang University: Global University Leaders Commit to Joint Action on Reaching UN 2030 Sustainability Goals
PR88796
HANGZHOU, China, March 31, 2021 /Xinhua=KYODO JBN/--
On 30th March, 2021, university presidents from 30 countries unite for the
first time to announce action on climate change by signing the Joint Statement
of Global University Leaders on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
witnessed by UN officials, according to Zhejiang University.
At the first global online forum for university leaders, hosted by Zhejiang
University in China, presidents from 56 universities across six continents have
committed to working together to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs). The
initiative includes five key aspects which all signatories have agreed to:
implementing the concept of sustainable development, improving sustainable
development competence, supporting scientific research in response to global
challenges, working with global partners to provide innovative solutions and
constructive transnational cooperation on specific issues.
Among the top 50 universities on the QS World University Rankings, 80% have
developed their university-level sustainability strategy, plans or operational
activities. According to Zhaohui Wu, President of Zhejiang University (ZJU),
the purpose of the forum was to bring together leaders from some of the best
universities to share these visions and best practices on SDGs and explore
opportunities for potential cooperation in safeguarding a sustainable future.
With less than 9 years to go to meet targets and the pandemic slowing progress,
the forum allowed leaders to share essential expertise on how to scale up
efforts to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. The event gave academics a platform to
clearly outline their action plans for human-oriented, innovation-driven and
down-to-earth sustainable development.
UN officials, including Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General and
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, joined the
panel of speakers including Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, Pam
Fredman, President of the International Association of Universities, and Eric
Labaye, President of Ecole Polytechnique.
Speakers reinforced how universities can work together to harness the power of
technology to expand access to quality education. They also discussed how they
should draw on their academic ecosystem to support scientific collaborations
and knowledge transfer across disciplines.
Universities that have signed the initiative include Peking University, Kyoto
University, Korea University, National University of Singapore, Harvard
University, Yale University, University of Toronto, University College London,
Ecole Polytechnique, University of Oslo, Peter the Great St. Petersburg
Polytechnic University, the University of Sydney, Stellenbosch University and
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, etc.
Nikhil Seth, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, said: "SDGs
belong to each of us and everything we do impacts on the achievement, in the
aggregate, to SDG achievement."
Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, said:
"The organization of the forum is timely, especially given the increasingly
pivotal role of universities not only in fostering understanding and knowledge,
but also in contributing to the building of knowledge-based societies and for
the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."
Pam Fredman, President of the International Association of Universities, Paris,
said: "Co-operation and cohesion among Higher Education Institutions and
organisations will foster knowledge development and sharing."
Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, said: "Yale University has reduced
greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent over the past 15 years, even though the
campus square footage has increased significantly."
Svein Stolen, Rector at the University of Oslo, said: "More equal and mutually
beneficial partnerships must be developed upon scientific principles, academic
values, a shared vision and shared goals which place people and the planet at
the centre."
At the forum, ZJU launched its own sustainable action plan to enhance its
engagement with the SDGs. Zhaohui Wu, President of Zhejiang University, said:
"The 'Global ZJU for Social Good' plan establishes five objectives and
associated actions to improve our sustainability-related education, research,
and practices within the ZJU community and among other stakeholders in China
and beyond. We aim to advocate for responsible sustainability, educate for a
sustainable future, advance scientific collaborations, partner for collective
well-being and create greener campuses."
Source: Zhejiang University
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Caption: On 30th March, 2021, university presidents from 30 countries unite for the
first time to announce action on climate change by signing the Joint Statement
of Global University Leaders on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
witnessed by UN officials.
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