On Friday October 3 the University of Aberdeen's Centre for Sustainable International Development learned that the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) "has enthusiastically approved its Membership in the Solutions Network."
The only other academic institutions who have so far been granted membership in the United Kingdom are the universities of Cambridge and Southampton.
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) was launched by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in August 2012 with the aim of addressing the global sustainable development challenges of ending poverty, increasing social inclusion, and sustaining the planet. The network mobilizes scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society, and the private sector in support of sustainable development problem solving at local, national, and global levels. The SDSN Secretariat is hosted by Columbia University with staff in Paris, New York, and New Delhi.
The network aims to accelerate joint learning “to overcome the compartmentalization of technical and policy work by promoting integrated approaches to the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world.”
The Director of the Centre for Sustainable International Development (CSID), Dr Hilary Homans, said: "We are delighted with the news and the opportunity it provides for further collaboration on research, Solutions Initiatives and policy work, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where discussions are already underway with SDSN regional initiatives. An indication of interest has already been expressed by most of the over 50 CSID staff Associates who now will become members of the network. This will provide access to the latest research and innovations in sustainable development and increased networking with other academic institutions globally who are also members of the network."
Further information about the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) can be found at: www.unsdsn.org
And for further information about the University of Aberdeen Centre for Sustainable International Development is available on their website www.abdn.ac.uk/sustainable-international-development
One of the first initiaives that the university will be hosting is a workshop on “One Health Forward” to develop cross-sectoral links in healthcare delivery and health systems for plants, people and animals. This will be held at the University of Aberdeen in early December with participation from several partners in the global south.