Introduction
This event is part of follow up initiatives of the International Workshop on Sustainability Science “A Science Based Approach to Realize the Future We Want for All” held on 4 and 5 April 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; to develop a common understanding of the concrete concept of “sustainability science”, to raise awareness about sustainability science among policy makers in the Asia and Pacific region and to position this as part of national and regional science and technology policy. To this aim, UNESCO Jakarta is currently implementing the HARP and STAR projects according to UNESCO’s medium term strategy 37C/4 (2014-21).
SHARP (Science Harnessed for ASEAN Regional Policy) supported by Malaysian Funds in Trust aims to foster the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Development Goals, including the MDGs, by addressing the impacts of climate change on natural resources in the ASEAN. Through demonstration projects in the ASEAN member countries, it promotes the best environmental management principles and practices with a clear pathway to regional science policy.
On a broader scale, STAR (Sustainability Transformation Across the Region), funded by Japanese Fund-in-Trust, aims to deliver a clear understanding of sustainability science outcomes at the regional policy levels through establishment of a platform as a depository of sustainability science best practices and development of a regional trategy and tools. STAR develops 3 pilot projects to showcase sustainability science principles and applications. The project are aligned with the UNESCO Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy, with identifies four Strategic Themes: Water for People and the Environment; Climate Change and Environmental Resources; Science Policy, Innovation and Capacity Building; and Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation, as the focus science areas towards a sustainable society.
In the above context, UNESCO Jakarta with the support of Malaysian Funds-in-Trust (MFIT) and Japanese Funds-in-Trust (JFIT), and in collaboration with the National University of Malaysia, especially with the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) and other institutions such as International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation under the Auspices of UNESCO (ISTIC), Regional Humid Tropic Hydrology and Water Resources Centre for South-East Asia and the Pacific (HTC) Kuala Lumpur , UNESCO-IHP Malaysia, Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (MNCU) and National Council of Professors (MPN) is organizing an International Workshop on Sustainability Science for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 4-5 March 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It will bring together key stakeholders and scientists to discuss the current status of sustainability science, globally, and in the Asia Pacific region with regards to already established networks of experts, their approaches and methodologies. They will elaborate recommendations on how to implement the solutions science offers to key challenges to Post-2015 Development Agenda. On this basis, the High Level Science Policy Dialogue will discuss policy guidelines and a strategy or cooperation on Sustainability Science.
The workshop will also offer a focus on Environmental Sustainability in the ASEAN. The strategies implemented by ASEAN members will be presented in sessions attended by ASEAN-UNESCO Committees, Science and Technology Division of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Department, and ASEAN key stakeholders. A special session on the KRABI Initiative will draw from ASEAN policy makers and scientists on ASEAN experience in implementing Sustainability Science policies. The expected outcome is to initiate a dialogue on a policy paper that should identify at least five national science policy interventions focusing on demonstration pilot projects for environmental sustainability for the integration of social and environmental aspects in the ASEAN Plan of Action on cience and Technology – Implementation Framework 2016-2020.
Objectives
- To contribute to the Post-2015 Development Agenda through he Sustainability Science approach;
- To develop and strengthen science to policy interfaces;
- o institute a high-level dialogue on the role of Science to address challenges to the Post-2015 Development Agenda in the region;
- o develop a regional framework and tools to implement sustainability science within the framework of UNESCO-ASEAN MOU;
- To initiate a dialogue on a policy paper and strategy on Environmental Sustainability in the ASEAN to introduce it to the next ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology 2016-2020. It will be strategically developed based on the seven priority areas in the ASEAN – UNESCO FAC in narrowing development gaps as well as addressing the threats.
Expected Outputs
- Gain input from networks of experts on approaches, methodologies and best practices to implement sustainability science globally and in the Asia-Pacific Region.
- Development of science strategies for the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Development Goals and responding to the challenges addressed under the emerging post-2015 Development Agenda.
- Review current situation and gap analysis between existing science policy and the needs of the ASEAN communities for ealizing ASEAN Vision 2020.
- Initiate a dialogue on a policy paper to integrate social and environmental aspects in the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology – 2016-2020.
- Provision of a policy basis for future cooperation on environmental sustainability among ASEAN countries and UNESCO’s network.
Date, Venue and Format
The workshop will be held on 4th – 5th of March 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The workshop will be organized over 2 days and consist of an opening, presentations, discussions, reporting, conclusions and closing. The first day will focus on SHARP and STAR Projects inception and discussion on approaches, methodologies and best practices at the field level. It will bring together scientists to discuss Sustainability Science and the Post-2015 Development Agendas, through multidisciplinary approaches and frameworks and offer recommendations. The second day will consist of a high level Science Policy and the Post-2015 Development Agenda in the ASEAN, drawing from the recommendations and strategies elaborated during the first and second days, to discuss on a policy paper. The work language of the workshop will be in English
Participants
The workshop will bring together around 150 expected participants, both national and international. Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education of ASEAN member countries, representatives from ASEAN Secretariat, Committees and Working Groups, UNESCO Programme Specialist, UNESCO Science family and National Committees in Asia and the Pacific, partners of STAR and SHARP projects and key stakeholders from higher education, science and policy.
Presentations:
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