Student Sustainability Summit: Fostering Dialogue on SDGs

Tuesday, 16 April 2024

On October 18th, students gathered for the Student Sustainability Summit, an interactive workshop led by Josh O'Dwyer, aimed at addressing the issues affecting student life and exploring solutions through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The session began with a brief introduction to UL Student Sustainability and an overview of the SDGs for those unfamiliar with the concept. Attendees were then invited to participate in a voting exercise to rank the five SDGs they deemed most relevant to their lives and experiences at UL.

After the initial vote, participants formed groups based on the top-ranked SDGs, each focusing on a specific goal for discussion. Led by facilitators, the group discussions delved into the challenges and obstacles related to the chosen SDGs, drawing from personal experiences within and beyond the university environment. Attendees shared their insights and proposed potential solutions to address the identified issues.

Recognising the sensitivity of some topics, Josh emphasised the importance of open and honest dialogue, encouraging participants to voice their thoughts and experiences without fear of judgement. To facilitate this, attendees were given the option to submit feedback anonymously, ensuring that all perspectives were considered in the discussion.

Following the group discussions, attendees had the opportunity to engage with other tables and vote on the issues they deemed most important. By moving between tables and placing stickers on the topics they prioritised, participants contributed to identifying key areas for action and advocacy within the student community.

The workshop concluded with a renewed sense of awareness and commitment to addressing the challenges highlighted by the SDGs. Through collaborative efforts and ongoing dialogue, students pledged to work towards creating a more sustainable and inclusive campus environment that reflects the values of the SDGs.

Student Sustainability has a wide array of events taking place every week, from panel discussions and debates, to workshops and guest speakers. These events are accessible for all UL students, and cover a variety of sustainability topics. See our past and current events here, and be sure to keep up to date with any available opportunities on our social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.