On June 4, the annual University-wide Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) workshop returned with a focus on sustainable development as a vehicle for impacting lives, reinforcing Westminster’s commitment to embedding sustainable development in all aspects of university life.
The event built on the success of last year's workshop and brought together more than 100 participants, including Westminster academics, professional service colleagues, postgraduate researchers, students and alumni from different academic disciplines and work areas, to highlight and celebrate the transformative contributions they are making through the SDGs, within Westminster and beyond. This year's workshop resulted in a declaration of the launch of an SDG Coordinating Group and a voluntary SDGs Network which will be open to all.
The day began with a conversation between the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Bonfield, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability, Professor Dibyesh Anand. They explored the Sustainable Development Goals and global challenges, highlighting Professor Bonfield’s significant and exemplary contributions to advancing the SDGs, setting the tone for the day’s discussions.
Attendees then heard a series of presentations from colleagues from different schools and departments. The presenters shared examples of where and how their teaching, research and co-creative projects with students contribute to SDGs, both within Westminster and globally, featuring innovative and creative approaches to addressing global challenges.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in activities focused on understanding the disciplinary, geographical and institutional aspects of SDG engagement, providing a clearer understanding of Westminster’s commitment to sustainable development, highlighting the varied challenges and opportunities it presents.
Following last year’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.7: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED), one of the key developments to come out of this year’s event was the announcement of the launch of an SDG Coordinating Group and the creation of a University-wide SDGs Network. These initiatives will aim to establish a unified platform for the Westminster community to interact, connect and be empowered to continue making transformative contributions to the SDGs and the wider community.
The second edition of the University-wide SDGs workshop concluded with a resounding sense of optimism and inspiration. The event exemplified once again the University of Westminster’s strong commitment to sustainable development and the collective efforts of its diverse community in working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Looking ahead, the University continues its mission to embed sustainability into all facets of its operations and campus life.
The organising team for the workshop included Professor Anand, Holly Jones, Head of Sustainability, Dr Ro Spankie, Assistant Head of the School of Architecture and Cities, Dr Pooja Basnett, Senior Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences, Dr Doug Specht, Assistant Head of the School of Media and Communication, Dr Andrew Pitchford, Head of Westminster’s Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI), and Anastasia Lydaki, Sustainable Development Advisor at the University of Westminster.
Commenting on the day, Professor Anand said: “In the spirit of SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, we are keen to break barriers, build connections, reach out to each other beyond disciplinary boundaries and partner to tackle local and global challenges through the use of frameworks provided by SDGs. This second annual workshop has played a crucial role in enabling us to proceed.”
The University’s Sustainable Development Advisor Anastasia Lydaki added: “It was a truly enriching experience co-organising and participating in our second annual SDGs workshop. From combating superbugs to addressing gender inequalities, and fostering sustainable living, we celebrated the pioneering contributions our colleagues and the wider Westminster community are making through the SDGs, highlighting our collective impact as a global institution and our ongoing commitment to building effective sustainable partnerships and powerful interdisciplinary connections. It was clear that together we are actively shaping our campuses into vibrant SDG learning ecosystems and empowering one another to be champions of sustainable development.”
Find out more about how Westminster has directly contributed to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
