In 2019, the the President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology, Stefan Bengtsson, and Vice-Chancellor of University of Gothenburg, Eva Wiberg, decided to build a new platform for collaboration, Global Sustainable Futures (GSF), as of 1 January 2020. Formally, the platform is organised within the Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV) and its first activities, such as a kick-off meeting and three webinars, have been completed during spring 2020.
Objectives of Global Sustainable Futures
The overall objective is to promote and facilitate further collaboration between the two universities and colleagues in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) where the work is subject to a bottom-up process.
The overarching goal of GSF is to develop new science-based knowledge, education and collaborations that contribute towards attaining Agenda 2030, as well as to the needs of society beyond 2030. The initiative will build on and utilise existing collaborations and has a particular focus on collaboration with partners in LMICs.
The specific objectives include to:
• Promote, catalyse and accelerate international exchange of ideas, knowledge and practices between academia, civil society, business and governments,
• build strong and lasting contacts and collaborations with partners in LMICs,
• support, coordinate and facilitate existing and new activities,
• exploit synergies,
• and inspire students, teachers, researchers and society to participate and take action.
Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development has been asked by Eva Wiberg and Stefan Bengtsson (vice Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg and President and CEO of Chalmers University of Technology) to suggest terms of reference and statutes for a Board to lead GSF. As soon as these guidelines are in place, a GSF Board will be formed and start its work.
The GSF secretariat
A secretariat has been established at GMV with a small team of staff members, working part-times with the new platform: Magdalena Eriksson, Platform Leader. Daniela Michael (Project Leader East Africa-initative), Olof Drakenberg (Project Leader), Jenny Sjödin (Communications Manager), Jan Riise (Engagement and Project) and Thomas Pettersson, researcher Water Area.
The East Africa Initiative
The East Africa Initiative, started by the President and CEO at Chalmers, has moved to the Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development as of 1 January, to be part of the Global Sustainable Futures platform (GSF). The initiative’s Project manager, Daniela Michael, is now based at the centre and is involved in the development of GSF. This gives us excellent opportunities to explore synergies and collaboration possibilities. Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg will participate with eight East African universities in an upcoming workshop in Kigali. The meeting was scheduled for May 2020 but due to the Covid-19 situation has been postponed.
Do you want to know more about GSF?
If you want to know more about GSF, or if you have ideas on how to develop the work or connect persons or institutions that have the possibilities to collaborate, you are welcome to contact Magdalena Eriksson, Platform Leader, magdalena.eriksson@chalmers.se.
Magdalena Eriksson
Platform Leader
Phone number: +46 (0)766-18 49 43
magdalena.eriksson@chalmers.se
Daniela Michael
Project Leader East Africa
daniela.michael@chalmers.se
Olof Drakenberg
Project Leader
olof.drakenberg@gu.se
Jan Riise
Engagement and Project
jan.riise@chalmers.se
Thomas Pettersson
Researcher Water Area
thomas.pettersson@chalmers.se
Jenny Sjödin
Communications manager
jenny.sjodin@chalmers.se
