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Virtual interaction boosts Unisa’s drive to support Agenda 2030

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The programme for the day

Unisa carefully considers its commitment to sustainability and works to minimise and mitigate any negative impact from its operations, driven by the Sustainability Framework 2021-2030 and several other policies. The university signed a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Declaration, committing to 12 of the 17 SDGs. These goals have been embedded in the Sustainability Framework to solidify Unisa's commitment to support, advocate for, and work towards Agenda 2030. Council approved this Framework in 2020.

The presentation made by Unisa Sustainability office

As part of its commitment in the SDG Declaration to institutionalise the SDGs, the Unisa SDG Liaison Committee was formed. The committee consists of the Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, the Sustainability Office, one champion from each college and support/professional department, and external stakeholders such as the Tshwane Metro and the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency.

After two difficult years (2020-2021) navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, 31 May 2022 marked the committee's first virtual training interaction. The objectives of this interaction were to build a basic understanding of the SDGs among the committee members, create links and a shared purpose for the SDG champions working in different areas of the university, and ensure that the committee members were up to date with their roles and functions as SDG champions within Unisa. In addition, ideas on how the institution's core functions could be advanced to strengthen its contributions to attaining the SDGs were brainstormed during breakaway sessions.

The first presentation by Lusanda Batala from the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency focused on implementing the SDGs in South Africa. Following this presentation was Dr Anicia Malebajoa Maoela from the Sustainability Office/Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions, who brought the issue closer to home by focusing on SDG-engaged universities. These presentations set the scene for the breakaway discussion, which emphasised the university's key role in the attainment of SDGs through learning and teaching, research, operations and governance, as well as external leadership, and the need for Unisa to advance its research agendas through national, regional and global partnerships.

The title of the presentation made by the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation

A second virtual interaction is planned for July 2022. The committee will discuss the strengths, gaps, priorities and opportunities for Unisa's engagement with the SDGs, as identified by the SDG champions in their post-webinar assignment.

*By Anicia Malebajoa Maoela, Senior researcher: Sustainability Office/Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions

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Publish date: 2022/06/07

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