Impactful careers, university-wide work towards SDGs highlighted in worldwide awareness week

Our world is more interconnected than ever. Crises like disease outbreaks, feeding a growing world using limited resources, climate change, race and gender-based violence, economic inequality, access to education, and water insecurity are shining light on the fact that these issues affect many, if not all people, throughout the world.

Collaboration also means speaking the same language when it comes to naming and framing these wicked issues.

“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership,” says the U.N. “They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.”

While many across the campus community have heard of or are actively incorporating this framework into the grand challenges of which they address, some may not see how these goals are relevant to the work done for local communities and Nebraska. To aid in this effort, the university is participating in the Sustainable Development Goals Action and Awareness Week 2023, alongside numerous universities across the nation and world, during the week of March 4-8, 2024. 

For Nebraska’s original involvement in the weeklong observance, the CASNR Global Learning Hub will highlight careers with SDG impact, as showcased by three of the many experts part of the Sustainable Development Goals Scholars program (attend an information session on this Wednesday March 6 at noon by registering here). Normally exclusive to the participating Scholars, these sessions will be open to the public to attend to learn more about this aspect of the co-curricular program and to inspire attendees about the innovative impact being made locally and globally towards these wicked challenges.

-Monday, March 4 at noon featuring Natalie Sehi, Extension Educator and Registered Dietitian on SDGs #2 & #3, Zero Hunger and Good Health and Wellbeing. Register here.

-Tuesday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. featuring Florencio Venté, Youth Leader and Impact Entrepreneur, on SDGs #10, #8 Reduced Inequalities and Decent Work and Economic Growth (and many others!) Register here.

-Wednesday, March 6 9:00 a.m. featuring Bevon Chadel Charles, tech/agriprepreneur and founder of Akata Farms on SDGs #2 & #8 Zero Hunger and Decent Work and Economic Growth. Register here.

"Generally, we hope to bring awareness to the SDGs more broadly and to shine a light on the many ways Nebraska faculty, staff, students and others are already doing incredible work to advance these goals, many of which align with UNL’s Grand Challenges,'" said Brianne Wolf, global learning and engagement strategies coordinator for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The practice also aligns with the university-wide global strategy, as laid out by former Associate Vice Chancellor of Global Affairs and Senior International Officer, Josh Davis (current Chief of Staff and Associate to the Chancellor), and the broader Global Nebraska network of university teams. The strategy was developed in concert with a committee of faculty and staff from across the university.

"Ultimately, it can be both energizing and effective to frame our work within the larger challenges of the SDGs and galvanize everyone in the community, no matter their position, to take action towards these goals, too," said Wolf. 

All are invited to join several original events organized by the CASNR Global Learning Hub to take part in UNL’s participation of the awareness week, as well as attend many events across campus to deepen one's appreciation of the university's impressive array of research, teaching and creative activity that contribute to the goals.  The campus community is encouraged to explore and participate in the following events taking place that week showcase some of this work:

March 4

12:00 p.m. Planting Law and Democracy in Sustainable Soil https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/04/174316/

4:00 p.m. SVMBS Seminar: Tomasz Bednarski, Metabolic Reprogramming in Cardiac and Hepatic Manifestations of Metabolic Syndrome https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/04/179009/  

7:00 p.m. The Developmental Stages Of Self-Control In Infants And Toddlers  https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/04/176681/

March 5

11:30 a.m. Cultural Learning Luncheon Series - Cultural Map Activity with guest speaker: Elina Ibrayeva  https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/05/177737/

12:00 p.m. Dish it Up: Women’s History Month https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/05/176920/

12:00 p.m. Supporting International Students in the Classroom https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/05/177746/

4:00 p.m. SGIS Seminar Series: Drs. J. Reilly & E. Ibrahimpašic: Refugee Resettlement in Nebraska & Dr. Zhenghong Tang: Unoccupied Aircraft System (UAS) for Environmental Monitoring & Assessment https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/05/177875/  

4:30 p.m. CBC/RBC seminar: Dr. Christina Stallings, Washington University; Diverse Roles for Autophagy Proteins During Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Pathogenesis https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/05/179357/

5:30 p.m. Great Plains Talk: Julia Lafreniere: Decolonizing Selection and Spiritual Care of the Artwork  https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/05/179047/

7:00 p.m. E.N. Thompson Forum: Of Love & War: Stories of Tragedy & Resilience
https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/05/175411/   

March 6

1:00 p.m. Write for Rights: A Week for Peace https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/06/179474/  

4:00 p.m. Open SARV Workshop https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/06/177857/

6:00 p.m. CEHS Racial Literacy Roundtables https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/06/174673/

March 7 

9:00 a.m. Data Driven Water and Nutrient Management Summit https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/07/178559/

11:00 a.m. Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar: Advancing Digital Agriculture for Improving Agronomic Decisions, feat. Ignacio Ciampitti https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/07/178240/

5:00 p.m. DIGS x Delta Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. Cultural Lunch & Learn https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/07/179701/

6:00 p.m. "Picture A Scientist" Screening and Discussion https://events.unl.edu/2024/03/07/178108/

And so many more! See the University event calendar for further options…