Professor Dan Banik moderated two engaging and “informal” (presumably because it was held on the weekend) panels on the subject of moving towards achievement of the SDGs between now and 2030. The panels comprised of leading academics with a range of specialisations in the field of global development from anthropology to business. Meanwhile, the audience had the pleasure of being part of an inspiring art installation and an audio-visual exhibit focused around access to clean, safe, drinkable water.
With the aim of reaching out to a broader audience, the panels let their personalities shine while discussing global issues. The topics ranged from fairness and constrains of trade agreements and development policies from perspectives of the West and the East (namely, China); the very important role of civil society in driving change to represent those it affects most – the people; how to measure success of the previous set of development goals (the Millennium Development Goals), and what does “sustainable” actually mean and who would take the leadership to drive sustainable development.
“It’s only through critical discourse that we can ask difficult questions,” - Assoc. Prof. Sidsel Roalkvam
In the second panel discussion, business and academia attempted to put aside some of their differences and exchange views on how to work together into the future. Important issues were raised, including the role of business in bringing solutions to those in need, and the essential element of allowing criticism into the system of development and power as well as the need for analysis of the intended and unintended consequences of change (or there-lack of). “It’s only through critical discourse that we can ask difficult questions,” emphasized Associate Professor Sidsel Roalkvam, social anthropologist at the University of Oslo.
Of course, nobody would escape a discussion with academics and professionals without some good weekend reading. If you would like to learn more about the role of business in the sustainable development, you can find a report titled The Future of Spaceship Earth. If you also wish to expand your knowledge on the subject of global development you can join the MOOC on FutureLearn headed by Professor Dan Banik and a team of leading academics titled What Works in Development (the course began on Monday the 15th of May, so it's not too late to join).
The event was organized by the Oslo Academy of Global Governance at the Centre for Development and the Environment. The artistic framing "Water and sanitation" was performed by Ingebjørg Torgersen.