Project: One KI for Sustainable Development
Structured and coherent work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background
According to Strategy 2030, all KI activities should be guided by and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2030. In order to achieve this collaboration is needed. A project team has been established by University Management. The project team is composed of representatives from many departments and central administration. The project started in January 2020 and ends in the spring of 2022.
In his preface to Strategy 2030, KI President Ole Petter Ottersen states: ”These goals concern us all and show us that health must be viewed in a broad context".
Purpose and overarching aim
The project aims to create coherence, so that the entire university is involved in the work of striving to meet the SDGs as described in Agenda 2030. The aim is thus to take heed of already on-going activities and engagements among employees and students, as well as to contribute to KI developing an increasingly clear profile regarding sustainable development.
Specific aims of the project
- Employees are aware of the Sustainable Development Goals and how KI may contribute to reach these goals
- Research is inspired by and contribute to the realisation of the SDGs
- Review of the links between the intended learning outcomes of courses and programs and SDGs lead to an action plan
- Climate strategy developed
- Develop conditions for long-term global and local impact by mapping internal collaboration initiatives
- Maintain and develop external networks to support our work with sustainable development, medicine and health
Implementation
Activities within the project include:
- Arranging research conferences - 1st KI Conference on Sustainable Development (2020), 2nd Conference (2021)
- Grants for research funding
- Climate strategy and action plan
- Web course "Getting started with the SDGs"
- Follow-up of Rethinking Higher Education
- Mapping and description of the current state of knowledge at KI
- Developing proposals on how SDGs can be included and followed up in research applications
- Interactions with external organisations and other universities
KI contribution to Agenda 2030
• Research
Research at KI aims at improving human health and wellbeing and is of crucial importance for the contribution to sustainable development. Some fields of research are clearly related to several of the SDGs – for the benefit of future generations and the most vulnerable.
• Education
Graduates should develop understanding and knowledge about issues related to sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.Teachers and Students have great potential to reflect upon their role in society and be prepared to act either individually or through network.
• External leadership
KI should be an active partner on issues regarding health and sustainable development and advancing health and wellbeing in society – nationally och globally.
• Operations and governance
KI should be governed in a sustainable direction. This includes reducing the impact from work travel, adding environmental and ethical requirements in procurements, minimizing health and environmental risk in laboratory work and reducing waste. KI should ensure equal opportunities as well as good health and wellbeing for employees and students.
The Project Team
