Global Aspirations Must Be Targeted Locally

Agreed just under a year ago, the UN’s Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set out an ambitious plan of action underpinned by 17 global goals – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and 169 targets, which will drive global efforts over the next 15 years in areas from health, education and gender equality through to management of natural resources and global security.

One of the key features of the new agreement is the principle of universality. This means that all nations now have a responsibility for implementing the goals and must look, not only at how global problems are manifest within their borders, but also at the global impact of their domestic actions.

To find out what this means in practice – for the UK and for its devolved governments, for civil society, for the private sector, and, of course, for the academic partners, including the OU, who work with them – the SRA in International Development, together with colleagues from the International Development Office and the OU’s National Offices in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland organised an SDG roadshow comprised of three seminars.

Around 170 people attended the seminars which took place in Belfast (co-hosted with CADA NI), Cardiff (co-hosted with SD Alliance) and Edinburgh (co-hosted with NIDOS and SCVO) which were open to all those with an interest in sustainable development. Professor Giles Mohan, Director of the SRA, commented:

“You can have a global aspiration, but it has to be targeted locally. The OU is unique among UK Higher Education Institutions for being a four-nation university with a presence in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. It also works in a distinct way by combining research and teaching with the practical delivery of development projects. These events have helped us to learn how we can draw on these strengths and work with partners in each nation to maximise our contribution to the SDGs.”