Encouraging diversity and inclusion to advance sustainability throughout generations.
Global sustainability cannot be realized without achieving sustainability for the most vulnerable and underrepresented communities – many of them in low- and middle-income countries, as well as those increasingly left behind in high-income countries.
Yet, the framing of sustainability, investment in innovation, and academic analysis has been dominated by processes that give relatively little regard to and participation from these communities, even when they are about them. This bias matters because decisions on sustainability include important trade-offs and processes that lack inclusivity and diversity miss many opportunities arising from the different social, cultural and demographic attributes.
Explore diverse perspectives and address biases in sustainability in the many sessions addressing to our Congress Pillar, Sustainability for Whom. Below we have picked out five sessions that may spark your interest.
The (Sustainable) Future is Female: Advancing Gender Equality in Sustainability Leadership
Not a single country in the world is set to achieve gender equality by 2030. Of the 129 countries included in the SDG Gender Index, almost half are failing on SDG5 – achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Gender equality is recognised as central to achieving sustainable development. Including diverse perspectives – in gender, across race, culture, religion, ability and more – is indispensable for rapidly advancing sustainability. This session will see a lively discussion with Australian female leaders in different areas of sustainability research, policy and practice and at various stages of their career.
June 13, 2021, 2:00 pm Brisbane
5:00 am London / 12:00 am New York
From design to end-of-life: Fashion and the sustainable development goals
Contemporary culture is characterised by mass consumption. The textile industry is among the world’s most environmentally damaging and exploitative. This session presents a multi-disciplinary approach to sustainable design, consumption and production of fashion, cutting across design, governance, industry and scientific perspectives, while more broadly considering how the SDGs are impacted by the current state of fashion production and consumption.
June 14, 2021, 2:00 pm Brisbane
5:00 am London / 12:00 am New York
Boots on the Ground: Incorporating local and indigenous knowledge in discovery science
This session will discuss the importance of integrating local and/or indigenous knowledge in the discovery process. Panelist from different geographic regions of the Global South will discuss their work discovering new species, finding novel geographic sites, creating conservation initiatives and other ‘boots on the ground’ exploration. Audience members are invited to participate in the discussion, and continue the conversation to explore multiple ways of fruitful collaborations that aid discovery, respect local knowledge and generate opportunities for understanding our natural world.
June 14, 2021, 7:00 pm Brisbane
10:00 am London / 5:00 am New York
Living with Dignity and Disability in a Sustainable World
Who is sustainable development for and how can disabled people live with dignity in a sustainable world? In this interactive session, audience and panel members will engage, debate and propose solutions to the barriers that may prevent dignified sustainable living for people with disability. Using crowd-sourced questions, the audience will be able to influence the discourse with panelists from a range of sectors and backgrounds, who are passionate advocates for small changes that make big differences.
June 15, 2021, 2:00 pm Brisbane
5:00 am London / 12:00 am New York
Showing leadership in sustainability science: Lessons from the Global South and beyond the academy
This session will facilitate learning from experience in the leadership of international sustainability research from the Global South. It will address questions like, what are the unique benefits of sustainability research designed and led from the Global South? What have the academic establishment got to learn from the Global South and non-academics about doing research for sustainability? How can research funders avoid inadvertently perpetuating inequalities and inequities in the global science system? Join this session to hear a rich collection of insights and suggestions for models for more progressive and inclusive organization and funding of internationally collaborative science for sustainability.
June 15, 2021, 7:00 pm Brisbane
10:00 am London / 5:00 am New York
Browse all Sustainability for whom? Sessions