The proposed new Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) presented by a UN high level working group call for the support of experts, but they give no particular room or role for the universities. This should encourage new and enhanced engagement from our side. It is particularly important for the Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD), as a university network across the north-south divide, to involve itself in the process leading to a set of new development goals.

This seminar follow up the topic at SANORD conference in Lilongwe, Malawi in December 2013, which looked at the role of universities for the promotion of the current MDGs.

SANORD promotes research and teaching cooperation between universities in the Nordic and the Southern African region. SANORD has 42 member universities, all committed to mark the SANORD Day.

Programme

12:00 Working lunch

12:00 Anne Christine Johannessen, Vice-Rector for International Affairs:
Why are the new Millennium Development Goals important for UiB and SANORD?

12:30 Gro Th. Lie, professor and Academic Leader of UiB Global:
The importance of cross disciplinary cooperation in the debate about the new Millennium Development Goals.

Short discussion

13:30 Anne Bang, Associate Professor, AHKR:
Why have they forgotten religion?

13:50 Alberto Cimadamore, Professor and Director of CROP:
The key issue behind the MDGs – fighting poverty and leaving nobody behind?

14:10 Tor Halvorsen, Researcher, UiB Global:
The new goals and their utopian political economy – why a SANORD cooperation can make a difference.

Discussion in plenary

Staff, students and, in particular, guest students and staff from the Southern African region are invited to participate.  

Please register attendance to Sylvia Keala Duerr before May 12.