Mid-Year Greetings from Global Sustainable Futures 

At Global Sustainable Futures (GSF) we can look back as an academic year of increasing collaboration and exchange. We have had the privilege to meet — digitally of course — with many colleagues at our two universities, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg. We have realised the diversity and richness of exchange in different forms and are in the process of constructing an interactive map that illustrates these activities and of structuring our support of current and new initiatives. 

Low- and middle-income countries — our special mandate

At GSF, we of course apply worldwide perspective to most of what we do — not so much in a geophysical sense, as in a sense of global connectedness and opportunity. Especially related to the goals of Agenda 2030 and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) — our special mandate. In the past academic year, we have had the privilege to meet colleagues with a great variety of interests in and experiences of exchange of addressing these goals, especially with partners in low- and middle-income countries. We have also had the pleasure of hosting events with the participation of partners in several countries (see below). In the coming semester, we will stage another series of webinars that highlight collaboration involving local and LMIC partners that focus on timely topics. On November 16, we will hold an online conference, where we highlight selected themes. Find out here about how you can contribute to the conference and submit your abstract. 

Water and Decent Work and Economic Growth

Two GSF pilot activities have progressed in the past year. The Thematic Working Group — Water has identified widespread interest at Chalmers and University of Gothenburg around water research, essentially connected to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), Clean Water and Sanitation. Likewise, the pilot around SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, has made strides in scrutinizing the targets and to formulate research to address knowledge gaps and influence policies that advance development towards the SDG 8. We look forward to upcoming events in both pilots. 

New strategic initiative

We especially look forward to the launch of the Sweden-East Africa University Network (SWEAFUN), a new strategic joint initiative from Chalmers and partner universities in East Africa to increase transdisciplinary, thematic collaboration and develop knowledge that promotes global sustainable development. Having secured initial support from STINT, The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education, GSF will help launch the first themes of SWEAFUN: Food and Nutritional Health, Sustainable Energy Innovations, Air Quality and Transport, Data Driven ICT and Drinking Water Health Assessment. 

We welcome everyone’s engagement

As the countdown to 2030 is ticking and global challenges such as climate change and the still ongoing looming covid-19 pandemic, it is gratifying to be in a position to addressing these issues head on, with knowledge as our main resource. With the support from both Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, not least expressed in the visions of both institutions — "Chalmers for a Sustainable Future" and "A University for The World" (University of Gothenburg) — we welcome everyone’s engagement and contributions to a globally sustainable future and look forward to hearing from you.

/Magdalena Eriksson, Platform Leader, Global Sustainable Futures

Call for abstracts: Collaboration in a (post-) pandemic world - the need to reconnect and rethink priorities

The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous impact on society. Universities have responded in different ways depending on their contexts. Teaching methods, research projects and research priorities have been affected. Looking ahead we need to reconnect and to a varying degree we might have to rethink our priorities. This is a conversation we want to have in the upcoming conference.

This second annual GSF conference is a great opportunity to present ongoing research and teaching projects contributing to attaining Agenda 2030, to learn, network and meet people from Gothenburg and partners from across the globe.

Initiatives and Themes 

Through collaborative initiatives, Global Sustainable Futures aims to develop and cultivate partnerships of particular strategic potential. GSF also conducts activities in thematic working groups.

Since 2020, GSF manages the East Africa Initiative (originally launched by Chalmers), which seeks to develop and explore long-term collaboration with selected universities in East Africa. Encompassing eight East African universities, the initiative offers rich opportunities to explore common interests, collaboration possibilities and synergies. 

The Thematic Working Group Water strives to map all water researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), Clean Water and Sanitation, and in particular activities related to sustainable development. 

Read more 

East Africa Initiative

Thematic Working Group Water

Spotlight on the SDG 8 Initiative

The University of Gothenburg, as part of the International Association of Universities (IAU) Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development cluster, has been asked to take a lead on Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Every goal has its lead university, resulting in a global network of universities. The SDG 8 Initiative is coordinated by Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV).

Earlier this year, the SDG 8 Initiative introduced thematic reviews and discussion papers – each one pointing at research that is directly linked to one specific target within SDG 8, and in particular research focused on issues that can contribute to the attainment of the target. In June a series of webinars was held presenting the drafts and suggesting areas that are relevant for the implementation of each target. These papers will form the basis for research and policy interaction as well as collaboration with other stakeholders.

Global Sustainable Futures supports the SDG 8 Initiative with a particular aim to reach its targets through collaboration that involves University of Gothenburg or Chalmers and partners in low- or middle-income countries.

Global Sustainable Futures Webinars 

Save the date for our webinar 14 October 12:00–13:00 CEST entitled “What can we do for you?” presenting some of the support offered by International Centre at and others at University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology.

So far this year Global Sustainable Futures has arranged three webinars on the topics of Favourable policies for children – with and without a pandemic, Spotlight on Bolivia - from social mobilization to wastewater treatment and Reality Studio: Co-creating Change Makers. 

A Roundtable, Clearer skies and reduced emissions due to Covid-19 - what can cities learn and do? was organized by the Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV) projects and networks: Gothenburg Air and Climate Network (GAC), Centre for Sustainable Urban Futures, Sustainable Development Solutions Network Northern Europe (SDSN-NE) and Global Sustainable Futures. 

Read more: 

Maintain social spending during crisis - for children´s sake 

The Two Bolivias 

Virtual Reality Studio in Dhaka creates playground for community 

Roundtable for Sustainability - Clearer skies and reduced emissions due to Covid-19 – what can cities learn and do?

Photo by Snowscat on Unsplash

Global Sustainable Futures (GSF) is a joint collaboration platform at Chalmers University of Technology (Chalmers) and University of Gothenburg (GU), facilitating the advancement of new science-based knowledge towards achieving Agenda 2030 (and beyond) through collaboration with partners in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Read more at globalsustainablefutures.se

GSF is organised within Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV) at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg. 
www.gmv.chalmers.gu.se

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