Cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs

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Cross-Sectoral Dialogue about the SDGs

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has made significant contributions to cross-sectoral dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through various forums, conferences, and engagements with government and NGOs. In 2023, the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) hosted 24 public dialogues covering diverse SDG-related topics, including economic development, peace, and well-being. Prominent speakers included representatives from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), showcasing UJ’s role in facilitating high-level discussions on pressing global issues. Additionally, UJ collaborated with the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) to host the Mapungubwe Annual Lecture, featuring UN Under-Secretary-General Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, further cementing the university’s thought leadership on global challenges. Through these engagements, UJ continues to provide a platform for multi-sectoral discussions, fostering policy dialogue and strategic partnerships to advance the SDGs in South Africa and beyond.

UJ Annual Report 2023

UJ Library Conference 2023: “Imagining Sustainability”

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Library, in partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), hosted its annual international conference on September 12-13, 2023, themed “Imagining Sustainability – The Future of Academic Libraries Depends on Everyone.” The conference aimed to explore how libraries can adopt a ‘sustainable thinking’ approach to remain relevant and resilient in the future.

The two-day event featured a diverse program designed to foster cross-sectoral dialogue. Day one included an open exhibition with various sponsors and suppliers, such as Springer Nature, Elsevier, and EBSCO, along with workshops covering topics like effective research support and the role of artificial intelligence in research. Day two comprised sessions and panel discussions with national and international speakers, focusing on themes like budget sustainability in libraries and supporting research into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The conference facilitated engagement among academic institutions, industry partners, and other stakeholders, promoting a collaborative approach to sustainability in the library sector. While the event featured a range of participants, specific involvement from government agencies or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was not detailed in the available information.

For a more in-depth understanding of the discussions, you can watch the panel session titled “Supporting Research into SDG’s in the 4IR” from the conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPslbfQ704g

 

 

UJ Library Conference 2023: "Imagining Sustainability"

 

 

2021