Written by Sanjana Chhantyal, Project Lead of Youth Solutions Program at SDSN-Youth

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The Global Sustainable Development Congress by Times Higher Education brought together 3,000 global leaders and innovators in Thailand on 10 -13 June 2024 to exchange ideas and discuss solutions to accelerate the progress of sustainable development. As the Youth Solutions Program Project Lead of Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth, I had the opportunity to represent the program and highlight the valuable contribution of youth innovators.  In this blog, I am reflecting on the insights I shared and gained during the Congress.

Youths are the present. We must ensure that they not only have a seat at the table but also have the power to make changes.

At the Global Sustainable Development Congress, I joined the fireside chat with Professor John Thwaites, co-chair of the Leadership Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and chair of the Australia, New Zealand, & Pacific Network hosted by Monash University. During the chat, I highlighted how the youth innovators of SDSN-Y’s Investment Readiness Program are leading sustainable development through their innovative solutions. From increasing families’ access to clean energy and helping communities manage waste, to designing agricultural equipment for women farmers, increasing agricultural productivity, and producing nutritious food for children, the young innovators are transforming communities. Environmental sustainability is a key priority for them. Additionally, youth innovators are creating employment opportunities for other youths, helping combat poverty and youth unemployment. I stressed the importance of viewing youths as key stakeholders and not as beneficiaries. 

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Universities can transform the intentions to create change into tangible impact.

For centuries, Universities have shaped what we learn and how we learn. They are uniquely positioned in the community to function as knowledge and cultural centers. The students from universities go on to become leaders who change the ecosystem. Thus, it is imperative that a sustainability mindset is embedded in everything we learn irrespective of the field of study. As economies globally transition to a green economy, Universities can accelerate the progress by equipping students with green skills.

The need to adopt intersectional and inclusive approaches to designing learning spaces was echoed by many. As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the integration of technology in education can enhance the learning process and prepare students for the real world. Universities shared how they are nurturing students’ curiosities and helping students transform their innovative ideas into impact. The need to design more programs that support.

the entrepreneurial journeys of the students was stressed. Universities have billions of dollars in endowment. How can the financial resources be utilized to support the journeys of youth social entrepreneurs?

Additionally, the role of universities to facilitate knowledge sharing across countries and disciplines was discussed.  Universities globally have a wealth of research. How can we share those insights with the broader ecosystem?

We should tap into the potential that simple solutions hold.

When we are tackling complex problems, we often expect that the solution will be complex. But we must identify and tap into the potential that simple solutions hold. To include more people in the sustainable development conversation and action, we must highlight simple solutions that people from different contexts can adopt. I moderated a panel discussion on the topic “How can educators fast-track green skills opportunities for students?”, and one idea that was discussed was that “common sense” is a green skill.  Adopting a lifestyle that reduces waste is a simple solution that most can adopt. In the workshop “How are emerging leaders practicing green skills?” that I co-facilitated, the need to make green products and solutions financially accessible was highlighted. Often individuals might unintentionally be engaged in unsustainable practices because of limited information. Outreach programs and green solutions that are tailored to the grassroots realities and lived experiences of individuals are imperative to bridge this gap.

The curriculum of a University Program should not look like the headlines of a twenty-year-old newspaper.

Education should be so much more than a history recap. It should encourage innovation and imagination. Learners should develop a forward-looking approach and a problem-solving mindset. Practical applications of our learnings to support sustainable development should be prioritized. At the Congress, Universities shared how they have integrated experiential learning into their programs to provide hands-on learning experience to the students. 

What would the education system look like if we had more young people at the table providing key insights?  What are high-school students looking forward to as they assess Higher Education opportunities? What are the current experiences of undergraduate students? Do they feel prepared for the real world? Combining the understanding of students’ and market needs can enhance the effectiveness of university programs. 

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Intergenerational collaboration could unlock the potential of individuals at two ends of the age spectrum.

A point that was raised in a panel discussion on “Bridging the knowledge gap on biodiversity systems” I was part of, was that the retired seniors are an untapped resource as well. Their experience and expertise can be critical to the green economy transition. How can we engage them better? The solution to meaningfully engaging youths and retired seniors in the ecosystem could be interconnected. How can we design programs that facilitate intergenerational collaboration where the expertise that all stakeholders bring is valued and recognized?  

The synergy that can be created through collaboration is an important resource.

During the closing panel discussion, I highlighted that the problems in the ecosystem are interconnected, and so should be our solutions. For a holistic approach of problem-solving, intergenerational, inter-regional, and inter-disciplinary collaboration is crucial. There are several fragmented efforts in the ecosystem to address sustainability challenges but for a bigger impact, but collaboration is key. The Congress highlighted that much more can be achieved if the stakeholders connected and communicated more effectively. How can we build on one another’s ideas and avoid reinventing the wheel? How do we design multi-layered solutions? All of us have different pieces of the puzzle and for a collective impact, we need to come together.