The International Summer School is in its fourth week, and yesterday students from the six Master classes at the UiO International Summer School participated in an interdisciplinary day about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The day brought together inputs from practitioners, but was foremost a sharing of perspectives, ideas and experiences from the diverse group of students.
–The SDG Day not only stressed the interconnectedness of the global goals, but also the need for action, accountability, responsibility and inclusion if we are to implement the ideal to "Leave no one behind", says Nita Kapoor, the summer school director.
Chris Butters, who teaches the ISS Master course Energy, Environment and Social Change, introduced the day by giving a brief lecture on the history of the sustainability discourse.
Students from each class presented how the SDGs are relevant for their respective academic fields, and were followed by a presentation by S?ren and Malene Hermansen from the Danish island Sams?, which has found ways to take local charge in becoming sustainable and emissions-free.
In the afternoon, students worked in groups and engaged in critical discussion on how to move forward to achieve the ambitious global goals. –The student discussions were interactive and inspiring, in true ISS spirit, continues Kapoor.
Students from six Master classes participated at the ISS SDG Day: International Community Health, International Development Studies, Gender in the Nordic Countries, Human Rights, Peace Research and Energy, Environment and Social Change.