Relationships with government and NGOs for SDG policy

Relationships with government and NGOs for SDG policy

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has significant engagement with regional NGOs and government entities concerning Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) policy development. Here is the relevant evidence from the UJ Annual Report 2023:

1. Government and Stakeholder Relations (OGSR) Engagement
   • UJ has strengthened collaborations with local, provincial, and national government agencies. This has resulted in increased representation of UJ academics on government boards, allowing them to contribute to policy-making and decision-making processes.
   • These partnerships have facilitated joint research projects, policy initiatives, and programmes that address societal challenges such as education, healthcare, and economic development.
2. Collaboration with Government and NGOs for SDG-Related Initiatives
   • UJ’s Development and Fundraising Office has made significant progress in aligning its projects with the UN SDGs and AU goals, particularly in research, digital fundraising, and sustainability-focused programmes.
   • The UJ Institute for Intelligent Systems (IIS) focuses on artificial intelligence and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, contributing to policy modelling and addressing technological gaps.
3. Research and Policy Contribution
   • UJ academics have engaged in climate-smart agriculture (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), green industrialisation (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and technological solutions for climate action (SDG 13).
   • Prof. Uwizeyimana’s contribution to the book Improving Public Policy for Sustainable Development Impact in the Digital Era highlights UJ’s role in building knowledge for sustainable policy development.
4. Regional and International Partnerships for SDGs
   • UJ has established collaborations with government agencies and NGOs across Africa, including partnerships with:
     • Ghana AIDS Commission
     • Muteesa I Royal East Africa Research Network (Uganda)
     • Zimbabwe Presidential Office for scholarship support.
   • UJ’s participation in the EU Regional Africa Week highlights its role in engaging with regional and international sustainability policy initiatives.
5. Strategic SDG-Focused Collaborations with NGOs and Industry
   • UJ’s Community Engagement (CE) Unit launched financial literacy programmes, environmental sustainability projects, and collaborative research efforts with NGOs and businesses to address community development challenges.
   • The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) hosted public dialogues on peace, economic development, and blockchain technology, with input from policymakers and SDG experts.

Conclusion

UJ actively contributes to policy development, strategic interventions, and monitoring of SDG-related policies through:

• Direct government advisory roles (representation on boards, policy-making).
• Partnerships with NGOs and international organisations (climate change, education, and healthcare research).
• Strategic interventions for sustainability and adaptive management (fundraising for SDG-aligned initiatives).

South African SDG Policy Support Initiative (PSI)

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) actively contributes to the South African SDG Policy Support Initiative (PSI) (https://sasdghub.up.ac.za/initiative/), a collaborative effort between the South African government, the German government, and the South African SDG Hub. The PSI serves as a bridge between academia and policymakers, facilitating evidence-based decision-making to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the framework of South Africa’s National Development Plan. In response to a 2020 call for proposals, UJ academics were selected to develop projects aligned with the Presidency’s priority areas. One notable project, led by Professors Michael Cross and Emnet Tadesse Woldegiorgis, focused on “Mitigating the Challenges of Epistemic Access Among South African Higher Education Institutions in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Another project, spearheaded by Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana, aimed at “Improving Policy and Practice in South African Local Government.” These initiatives underscore UJ’s commitment to leveraging academic expertise to inform policy and address critical societal challenges in line with the SDGs.