Solar panels could be a solution to improved sustainability. Photo by Getty.
Representatives of universities, research institutions, communities, NGOs and industry will gather at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus this week to create pathways to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
During the two-day event on Jan. 23-24, members will hear from Sustainable Development Solutions Network USA co-chairs Jeffrey Sachs, Dan Esty and Gordon McCord and examine SDSN USA projects and activities.
The gathering is being co-hosted by SDSN USA and Mason’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth.
SDSN USA is a network of more than 125 universities and research institutions from 43 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The organization seeks to mobilize research, outreach and collective action; devise solutions to U.S. sustainability challenges; connect with relevant stakeholders; and educate critical policymakers and the overall public.
“We are delighted to host the first annual membership meeting of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network USA,” said Aurali Dade, Mason’s associate vice president for research and innovation and the executive director of the ISE. “SDSN is a U.N. program with goals of mobilizing global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical problem-solving for sustainable development and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This closely aligns with the work that Mason is pursuing through our Institute for a Sustainable Earth and the many sustainability-related centers on campus, including the Business for a Better World Center that is co-sponsoring the event.”
Topics of the SDSN USA meeting will include U.S. cities and university partnerships, and universities and sustainable goals reporting. As many as 100 people are expected to attend, including Dade and Mason’s Thomas Lovejoy.
Those wishing to attend can still register at www.eventbrite.com/e/america-in-2020-sdsn-usa-mobilizes-for-a-decade-of-sustainable-development-registration-80347107361.