“Sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without sacrificing the needs of the future.” – The United Nations
The drive to pursue sustainable development brought about by the challenges of climate change, political and socio-economic inequality and the persistence of poverty has never been more urgent and crucial.
As a graduate of a master’s degree, this writer was given the opportunity to be one of the presenters in the recent International Research Conference hosted by Huachiew Chalermprakiet University co-hosted by STI West Negros University along with other Philippine universities held on July 30-31 in Samut Prakan, Thailand with the theme, “Sustainable Development Goals: Research To Serve Society” in its 12th edition. This came when my thesis was chosen for presentation in the said event as I had my final oral defense rated, excellent. My thesis is entitled, “Income Utilization by the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Collectively Managed Sugar Farms.”
EVIDENCE-BASED PLATFORM
While not new in participating in international forums and conferences and being a long-time rural development and agrarian reform advocate from the civil society movement, yet the conference provided me with a new perspective full of rigor and relevance. Such a new perspective stood out during the individual researcher’s presentation which was deeply rooted in research that did not only illuminate pressing global issues, but also offered actionable insights.
These research presentations are significant contributions of a larger mission supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as various initiatives are shared, manifesting collaboration and not merely an academic exercise. The conference served as a venue for academic institutions to share initiatives, experiences including continuous acquired knowledge through research. For its part, as co-host, the STI West Negros University was proudly represented by one of the biggest delegation with each research presentation gaining recognition subsequently published at the international level. This achievement by the university indicates its increasing contribution in the global discourse on sustainable development issues and concerns.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE SDGS
In retrospect, the UN-SDGs were officially adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, following years of advocacy starting in 2000, if my memory serves me right, originating from the Millennium Development Goals 2000 that gained momentum during the Rio+20 Summit in 2012. There are 17 SDG goals—ranging from zero hunger to quality education, climate action and partnership in the realization of these goals envisioned for a fairer and more equitable world supposedly by 2030. Yet, after 10 years of implementation, the path in realizing these goals is mired with bigger challenges, that the goals, for example, in achieving zero poverty and total elimination of hunger have become more elusive rather than reducing or eliminating them.
Arguably, the most debated and most controversial goal is goal 13 – climate action. It has dominated almost all platforms, especially social media and the annual global conferences of the people or COP as the level of discussions and debates keeps escalating and heated while the “climate crisis” worsens. However, this goal, including all the other SDGs, continue to be the guiding principles and framework for UN member states, civil society movements around the world, as well as the academic institutions, such as the participants in this research conference. This annual conference continues to strengthen collaboration through this platform.
BUILDING INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
The conference was more than a showcase of academic institutions’ initiatives and achievements — it is an evolving platform solidifying a broader and wider level, not only motivated by global rankings by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings or the UI Green Metric World University Rankings in their initiatives but with strengthened partnership, deeper value and shared commitment. This gathering once again set a powerful reminder that academic research can transcend borders and can become the foundation for unified declarations and collective actions. In this era of social and political fragmentations that threatens development, it offers hope by way of knowledge, initiative sharing and unity that inches closer to the vision of sustainable development.
A CALL TO ACTION
Certainly, the conference instilled among the participants evolving perspectives and renewed conviction. On a personal note, sustainable development is not just a policy change target but a moral and social imperative. It persuades not only academic institutions but more importantly, governments and communities to get their acts together not only now but for generations to come.
We borrowed this world from them, and it is a firm belief that we leave this world to them, still beneficial and replenishable, if not fully intact.*
