Practical problem solving for sustainable development

Dalhousie has joined a global network of universities, colleges, research centres and knowledge institutions that are addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems, including the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Dalhousie is now a member of Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Canada. Housed at the University of Waterloo, SDSN Canada serves as the Canadian branch of the global UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.  

The network is mobilizing global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical problem solving for sustainable development. Having operated under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and leadership of Professor Jeffrey Sachs since 2012, the global network spans six continents and draws upon the knowledge and educational capacity of over 900 member institutions. The SDSN’s work focuses on four main areas:

• Providing and mobilizing support for the SDGs
• Supporting governments and all other stakeholders in understanding and addressing the challenges of sustainable development
• Promoting high-quality education and research collaboration for sustainable development
• Promoting practical Solution Initiatives and long-term pathways for sustainable development

By working closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society, the SDSN aims to accelerate joint learning and promote integrated approaches that address the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world. The SDSN is deeply engaged in the global discussions on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, their targets, and indicators, and supports members’ engagement in these important debates at the global, regional, and national level.

“I am delighted that Dalhousie has become a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network,” says Alice Aiken, vice-president research and innovation at Dal. “SDSN is providing us with the opportunity to collaborate with other universities, colleges, research centres and knowledge institutions around the world, and focus our research efforts on solving some of the most complex issues facing humanity.”

In total, there are 31 members of the Canadian network. A full list can be found here.

“Through Dalhousie’s membership with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, our teachers and researchers will be able to share knowledge and contribute to critical global conversations,” says Teri Balser, interim president. “We hope this will both benefit their work and further our impact as an institution.”

Transferring knowledge around the world

Dalhousie’s membership will provide numerous opportunities to collaborate with both the Canadian and global networks:

• SDSN Mobilize is an exclusive online community for SDSN members. The platform can be leveraged by all its users to share publications, communicate about events, submit calls for proposals, find and share funding opportunities, or simply ask questions - all relating to the SDGs. Conversations are organized around topic areas or regions, and users can join as many or as few as they like.
• The SDG Academy brings together the world’s foremost experts on sustainable development – including experts in health, education, human rights, climate change, agriculture and food systems, and sustainable investment – to offer a comprehensive core curriculum, equipping the next generation of sustainable development practitioners to tackle the complex challenges facing our planet.  All course materials are available free of charge to anyone with an internet connection. In the first four years it has been available, the SDG Academy garnered 180,000+ enrollments from 190 countries across 17 full-length courses and three mini-series. A full program on sustainable development topics with specialization tracks and professional certifications is currently under development.
  
• SDSN Youth, launched in 2015, aims to educate young people (age 18-30) about the challenges of sustainable development and create opportunities to use creativity and knowledge to pioneer innovative solutions for SDG achievement. With more than 140 staff and volunteers in over 30 countries, SDSN Youth reaches 750+ youth organizations and student associations working on the SDGs in 80 countries.

“It’s exciting to be joining this unique network of problem solvers and contribute to practical solutions for sustainable development,” says Rochelle Owen, executive director of Dal’s Office of Sustainability. “By working together, we can develop solutions that create positive social, ecological, and economic change around the world.”

For more information about the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, visit the Canadian and global network websites.  To learn more about Dalhousie’s participation, email SDSN@dal.ca.