York University UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins will speak at the 2023 Global Conference on Sustainable Development on Oct. 4 and 5 in Hong Kong to discuss how to transform higher education towards embracing sustainability and elevate action to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This is the first international conference organized by the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The centre of discussion during the conference will be about strengthening the world’s commitment to the SDGs in all sectors of society and finding solutions to current and future climate and societal challenges.
Hopkins will speak on the potential of education for sustainable development (ESD) in promoting transformative, holistic change in universities, as higher education can play crucial roles in reorienting student learning, supporting a sustainable future with evidence-based knowledge, and providing support for local and global communities.
“Since ESD has been recognized by the United Nations as a key enabler of all SDGs, it is imperative to be implemented at all levels of education, in particular in higher education, as universities are important influencers within society,” says Hopkins.
In August, Hopkins, as well as Katrin Kohl, executive coordinator to the UNESCO Chair, were appointed members of the High-Level Advisory Council for the SDG Academy, representing SDSN’s education and training division.
At the upcoming conference, Hopkins will join a group of world-renowned speakers, including Ban Ki-moon, the former United Nations secretary general, and co‐chair of the Ban Ki‐moon Centre for Global Citizens, as well as Professor Jeffrey Sachs, SDSN president. Both will share their visions for a sustainable future and discuss practical solutions from around the world for the implementation of the SDGs.
The event will take place as a hybrid event in-person at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and will be streamed live on Oct. 4 and 5. Online registration is free. More details can be found at gcsd2023.sdsn-hk.org.