ProSPER.Net E-Bulletin Issue 128 (September 2023)

Message from the ProSPER.Net Secretariat

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Greetings from the ProSPER.Net Secretariat! We are pleased to announce the upcoming ProSPER.Net Sustainability Forum this October is now open for registrations! This event will focus on equity and inclusion towards Transforming Education – we look forward to seeing you all there!

If you have any news, open calls, upcoming events, or publications you wish to share in a future bulletin, please complete this form and email your submission to the ProSPER.Net Secretariat at ProSPERNet@unu.edu (submissions close on the 15th of each month).

Sincerely,
ProSPER.Net Secretariat

Upcoming Events

ProSPER.Net Sustainability Forum
21 October 2023, 17:00-19:00 (JST), online and in-person

Organised by Sophia University in collaboration with UNU-IAS, and as part of the UN Weeks at Sophia University, this year’s ProSPER.Net Sustainability Forum will be held on 21 October 2023, from 17:00-19:00 (JST) in a hybrid format under the theme ‘Exploring the New Direction of Equity and Inclusion towards Transforming Education’.

The event will focus on the ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis on the provision of inclusive and equitable quality education, particularly its impact on vulnerable populations, as well as the role of HEIs in striving for sustainability and inclusion in their activities.

Speakers from ProSPER.Net member universities, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Ministry of the Environment Japan, and Sophia University will collaborate to discuss a new direction for equity and inclusion towards transforming education. Read more

Latest News

Zero Waste Victoria Festival Showcases Zero Waste Practices, Products, and Ideas
On 2 September 2023, Zero Waste Victoria organised the Zero Waste Victoria Festival in Melbourne, Australia, showcasing community innovation in the circular economy. As community innovation plays a vital role in advancing the circular economy, communities can collectively foster innovation, creativity, and sustainable practices that contribute to a more circular and regenerative system. Many of these initiatives reduce waste to landfill, revive and pass on skills, and rekindle community spirit.

Prof Usha Iyer-Raniga (RMIT University) was part of a panel discussion about these initiatives, and spoke about the hurdles and challenges some have faced in establishing and operating these, as well as the positive outcomes for the community. Learn more about the event here.

Workshop Empowers Thai Youth to Contribute to Net-Zero Transition Solutions
On 30 August – 1 September 2023, UNU-IAS conducted the workshop Net-Zero Thailand: ACE Youth Ideathon Camp in Bangkok, Thailand. Engaging 40 Thai youths from across the country, it explored pathways to decarbonisation, emphasising a whole-of-society approach. The workshop aimed to empower youth participants to take an active role in climate action in their communities, and ultimately contribute to accelerating the net-zero transition in Thailand. Read more

(Photo credit: Vorrawan Rujiwan / Department of Climate Change and Environment, Government of Thailand)

Workshop Promotes Problem-Based Learning in Education for Sustainable Development
On 21 September 2023 UNU-IAS held a workshop as part of the third UNESCO ESD-Net 2030 learning webinar, which promoted innovative practices in education for sustainable development (ESD). The workshop, facilitated by Jonghwi Park (Academic Programme Officer, UNU-IAS) and Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth (Postdoctoral Fellow, UNU-IAS), guided participants through a design process for community-based actions and education focused on sustainable consumption and production (SCP), utilising a problem-based learning pedagogical approach.

The workshop introduced three critical factors of SCP: (i) resource efficiency; (ii) waste management and minimisation; and (iii) consumer behaviour. It drew upon 12 case studies from the Regional Centers of Expertise on ESD (RCEs) that were featured in a recent UNU-IAS publication. RCE representatives Thi Ngoc Tran Diep (RCE Southern Vietnam) and Lawrence Thuo (RCE Greater Nairobi) discussed how they applied problem-based approaches to designing ESD projects for SCP in their communities. Read more

Session at the SDGs Youth Summit Calls for Enhanced Youth Participation in Policymaking
On 9 September 2023, UNU-IAS organised a session at the SDGs Youth Summit 2023 on the theme ‘Youth Empowerment for the SDGs — UNU-IAS Stakeholder Dialogue’. It discussed challenges and opportunities to enhance meaningful youth participation in policymaking. The event was held with the support of the Global Environment Outreach Centre (GEOC). Read more

UNFCCC Adaptation Director Calls for Paradigm Shift for Climate Action and Sustainability
On 24 August 2023, UNU-IAS co-organised a conversation event featuring Youssef Nassef, Director of the Adaptation Programme at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat and UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala. Focusing on the theme ‘Enhancing Global Actions for the Paris Agreement and SDGs - Towards the SDGs Summit, COP28, and Beyond', the event was part of the UNU Conversation Series, a platform for international experts to share insights on contemporary global affairs. Read more

SDG Action Weekend Event Bridges Science & Academia for Transformative Change
On 16 September 2023, UNU-IAS contributed to the event ‘Catalyzing Transformative Change: Science, Academia, and the Journey to 2030’, held at UN headquarters in New York ahead of the SDG Summit. The event was part of SDG Mobilization Day, during the SDG Action Weekend convened by the UN Secretary-General. Engaging policymakers, researchers, academics, and other stakeholders, the event discussed opportunities and partnerships for science and academia to accelerate transformations in high-impact areas for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Read more

This is a publication of UNU-IAS ProSPER.Net Secretariat. The bulletin is a great way to share your activities, events and news as a ProSPER.Net member with the rest of the network. Feel free to send us any information you may deem relevant for the rest of the community by completing this form and emailing it to prospernet@unu.edu. We look forward to your inputs! Visit ProSPER.Net regularly for up-to-date news and event information.
ProSPER.Net Secretariat
United Nations University
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability
5-53-70 Jingumae,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925
Japan