FIR Becomes a Member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network of the United Nations

The Faculty of International Relations, VŠE is going to become a new member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, SDSN in 2020. Through its membership, FIR wants to contribute to the global discussion as well as applied research in the field of sustainable development.

SDSN was established under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2012. This international scientific network is focused on the problematics of sustainable development and researching practical solutions in the field. It primarily supports the development of discussions on sustainable development at a global level, creates regional and national groupings that mainly connect educational institutions in discussions related to applicable problem solving of sustainable development. Part of its activities is also focused on the development of quality education and research cooperation under this theme. Last but not least, it also contributes to a better understanding of sustainable development issues at the government level. The point of the activity is to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) faster that is approved at the UN in 2015. SDSN closely cooperates with agencies of OSN, multilateral financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society. SDSN’s director is a notable American economist Jeffrey Sachs, who also currently works as Earth Institute at Columbia University.

Through its membership in this network, the FIR has the opportunity to gain access to the results of the SDSN’s monitoring efforts, which are complementary to the UN monitoring in the field of sustainable development. It includes performance data at the national level of governments, but also in the private sector and projects to meet UN objectives (SDGs).

Another significant benefit is undoubtedly the ability to acquire, share and create online learning materials on sustainable development. Each member of the network has the opportunity to develop an understanding of sustainable development issues as well as to prepare new experts at the international level.