Sustainability

Universities as key agents in the 2030 Agenda

The 2030 Agenda is an action plan approved in 2015 by the United Nations which contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It is a roadmap to address social, economic, environmental and governance challenges from an open and integrated perspective. Universities can contribute to the localization of SDGs through their main missions, that are training and research, but also through the transfer of knowledge and the adaptation of its own internal governance to this new framework. Its impact on the achievement of the 17 SDGs can be especially significant in four areas: Research, Education, Management and Governance, and Social Leadership.

UAM SDG - Sustainable Campus

The commitment of Spanish universities to the 2030 Agenda is explicit, promoting its implementation in all areas of university activity. The Autonomous University of Madrid has been very active in this process, promoting the localization of the SDGs through four interrelated lines of action: Health, Solidarity, Sustainability and Safety, in tune with its hallmarks:

  • Public university with strong social commitment
  • Sustainable, healthy and supportive
  • Concerned about the continuous improvement of teaching quality to favor the teaching-learning process
  • Intensive in high quality research
  • With a commitment to innovation and the transfer of knowledge as an engine of social and economic development
  • Reputable and with international projection
  • Integrator of new technologies as an opportunity for continuous improvement
  • With a committed and participatory community, in an environment of transparency
  • In alliance with other institutions
Source: How to begin with SDG in Universities (2017: 10). SDSN Australia/Pacific (2017): Getting started with the SDGs in universities: A guide for universities, higher education institutions, and the academic sector. Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Edition. Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Australia/Pacific, Melbourne.

IT_GesPub, commitment to sustainability

In this context, Lab Research Group Innovation, Technology and Public Management (IT_GesPub) becomes the first Research Group of the UAM to publicize its activity from the perspective of its contribution to achieving the SDGs. It does so by also making a commitment to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Thus, we incorporate the holistic and integrated approach of the SDGs in the performance of all our activities, paying special attention to the principles of Open Science. In line with the Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities (SDSN, 2020) report, the team carries out activities mainly related to SDG 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships to achieve the goals):

Below, you will be able to find out in detail the initiatives and projects we carry out and their relationship with the SDG, contributing to the promotion of SDGs evaluation in universities. If you are interested in learning more or in establishing alliances with us to support the 2030 Agenda localization process in your organization or research group, do not hesitate to contact us.