Research helps decision-makers achieve sustainability goals

Press invitation: The 2021 Gothenburg International Research Conference on Sustainable Development Goal 8

Meeting Announcement

UNIVERSITY OF GOTHENBURG

On 26-27 August, researchers from different parts of the world will gather at the School of Business, Economics, and Law at the University of Gothenburg to discuss research that can contribute to achieving the UN's Global Goal 8 - decent work and economic growth. The aim is to help decision-makers implement policies that support that sustainability goal.

The Global Goal (SDG) 8 s an overarching and very ambitious goal and it also has several very specific sub-goals. It includes both the pace of growth and the content of growth, as well as a range of factors concerning working conditions, the creation of meaningful employment, slavery, innovation, resource efficiency, sustainable tourism, and much more.

The conference aims to present an overview of research in this area and how it can contribute to achieving sub-goals within SDG 8.

“With SDG 8, we test a way for researchers to get involved in societal issues with the tools we have. We start from politically defined goals and look at how we can contribute with our research - it is actually somewhat of a new way of working. The aim is to increase the availability of relevant research”, says Gunnar Köhlin, Director of Environment for Development and one of the organisers.

Some universities around the world have taken on the responsibility of coordinating research related to one of the Global Goals. The University of Gothenburg has shouldered the responsibility for SDG 8 and collaborates with eight universities in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Media are welcome to attend the conference. All parts can be followed digitally. Registration is sent to jenni.stromstad@gu.se .

The 2021 Gothenburg International Research Conference on Sustainable Development Goal 8
Date and venue: 26 – 27 August. This is a hybrid conference where some of the participants are present at the School of Business, Economics and Law, Vasagatan 1, Gothenburg, Sweden, and others participate digitally.

Participants: About 120 Swedish and international researchers, many from low- or middle-income countries.

From the programme:

• Discussions on research related to SDG 8 and its various sub-goals.
• Pam Fredman, President, International Association of Universities (IAU): ”IAU and the role of Higher Education and Research in achieving the SDGs”
• Johannes Siegrist, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf: “Threats to decent work and workers' health: Challenges for research and policy”
• Steven Stone, Chief Resources and Markets Branch, UN Environment Program (UNEP): “Sustainable Economic Growth:  Oxymoron or Challenge of the Century?”
• Chantal Line Carpentier, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): “SDGs, their history, future, and implications?”
• Driss Ezzine de Blas, Chief Investigator CIRAD, a visiting researcher at Center for the Sustainable Development Goals for Latin America and the Caribbean at Universidad de los Andes.

See full programme

Organisers: School of Business, Economics, and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV), the SDG 8 Initiative at the University of Gothenburg.

Contact:
Gunnar Köhlin, Director, Environment for Development
+46 31-786 44 26, +46 705-35 05 08, gunnar.kohlin@efd.gu.se

Jenni Strömstad, Project Leader, the SDG 8 Initiative
+46 31-786 58 22, +46 766-18 58 22, jenni.stromstad@gu.se