CIFAL Atlanta- University Global Coalition 2020
The events that have occurred during the year 2020 have raised many questions about the feasibility of achieving the shared set of Global Goals known as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On Monday, September 21, 2020, the University Global Coalition (UGC) hosted a virtual gathering to connect university leaders with an interest in utilizing the SDGs to transform their research, teaching, and operations. CIFAL Atlanta Program Manager, Ms. Lola Owokoniran, Georgia Tech Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain Director, Dr. Jenny Hirsch and Na'Taki Osborne Jelks, Assistant Professor at Spelman college co-presented the topic “Tackling SDG10: Reducing Inequalities in Atlanta” during the virtual conference. The session was presented during the gathering in order to promote the value of a collective impact network in advancing education around the broad framework of SDGs as well as a free Youth and Sustainable Development Goals e-learning program to advance SDG education globally.
The objectives of the event are to:
- Connect university leaders with an interest in utilizing the SDGs to transform their research, teaching, and operation.
- Highlight multi-stakeholder collaborations (public-private, global, multi-university, student, other) on solutions to the SDGs.
- Create a new collective impact model, harnessing higher education assets for regional benefit while preparing our youth to be changemakers.
The University Global Coalition 2020 Virtual Gathering had the following schedule:
Keynotes & Opening Plenary (9:00-9:50am)
Block A Sessions (10:00-10:45am)
Block B Sessions (10:45-11:30am)
Block C Sessions (11:45-12:30pm)
Closing Plenary (12:30-1:00pm)
Each Block had 5 individual sessions that participants could choose to attend during that period of time. The “Tackling SDG10: Reducing Inequalities in Atlanta”, which CIFAL Atlanta Program Manager, Ms. Owokoniran, presented at occurred during the Block B Session.
The sessions included in this virtual gathering highlighted global interdisciplinary research and project solutions inspired by the challenges illuminated by COVID-19. The session topics also gave participants the opportunity to learn how multi-stakeholder collaborations enhanced partnership-based solutions to the SDGs.
University leaders with an interest in utilizing the Sustainable Development Goals to transform their research, teaching, and operations.