The 2021 Gothenburg International Research Conference on Sustainable Development Goal 8 will take place in a blended form (physically and virtually) 26-27 August. International and Swedish researchers will gather to discuss Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 in the 2030 Agenda; to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, employment and decent work for all.

At the core of SDG 8 is the great challenge of achieving economic growth without compromising the environment while also ensuring respect for human rights, and labour rights in particular. We need to make sure that economic progress is inclusive and creates decent and fulfilling jobs for everyone – reflecting the UN principle of Leaving No One Behind – while not harming the environment. The impacts of the COVID pandemic on economies and people has caused lasting damage to long-term growth prospects and eroded living standards for hundreds of millions of people, especially in developing countries. The need to pursue further research in areas such as economic growth, work conditions and labour market with a global perspective has become increasingly critical. Although the pandemic has slowed down development, this is also the chance of building back better. COVID recovery and our planet's repair must be the two sides of the same coin, as expressed by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, during a speech in December 2020.

As part of the International Association of Universities (IAU) Cluster on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development, the University of Gothenburg has taken a lead specifically on Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Within the cluster each SDG has its lead university, resulting in a global network of universities. The purpose of the SDG 8 Initiative at University of Gothenburg is to mobilise academic work and policy interaction in local and global contexts, together with eight satellite universities globally. The satellite universities, located in low- and middle income countries, provide opportunities for dynamic research collaboration by addressing the challenges of SDG 8 from the various geographical and methodological perspectives represented.

At the beginning of this year, a number of thematic reviews and discussion papers were initiated – each one pointing at research that is directly linked to one specific target within SDG 8, and in particular research focused on issues that can contribute to the attainment of the target. These papers will form the basis for research and policy interaction as well as collaboration with other stakeholders. The Gothenburg International Research Conference on SDG 8 is the main forum for disseminating the results.

Preliminary program

Day 1 - Thursday 26/8

9.00 - 9.10 Welcome and Introductions

Eva Wiberg, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg

Moderator: Marie Stenseke, Deputy Dean of the School of Business, Economics and Law, at the University of Gothenburg

9.10 - 9.40 Keynote Speaker: Pam Fredman, International Associations of Universities 

9.40-9.55 About the SDG 8 initiative: Gunnar Köhlin, University of Gothenburg

9.55 - 10.00 Break

10.00 - 10.40 Target Paper Presentations

• Target 8.2: Innovation - Rick Middel 
• Target 8.9: Sustainable Tourism - Chiara Rinaldi 

10.40 - 11.00 Development in Low and Middle Income Countries: Magdalena Eriksson, Global Sustainable Futures

11.05 - 11.15 Break 

11.15 - 12.15 Parallel Workshops - Morning session

• Target 8.2 Innovation
• Target 8.9 Sustainable Tourism

12.15 - 13.00 Lunch Break

13.00 - 13.50 Keynote Speaker: TBA

13.50 - 13.55 Break 

13.55 - 14.55 Target Paper Presentations 

• Target 8.5 Full Employment - Mattias Bengtsson 
• Target 8.6: Youth Employment - Gunnar Gillberg 
• Target 8.8: Safe Work Environments - Lotta Dellve et al. 

14.55-15.00 Workshop info

15.00 - 15.15 Break

15.15 - 16.15 Parallel Workshops - Afternoon session

• Target 8.4: Full Employment
• Target 8.6: Youth Employment 
• Target 8.8: Safe Work Environments

16.15 - 16.20 Wrap up & End of Day 1 

--

Day 2 - Friday 27/8

9.00 - 9.10 Welcome and Introductions.

Moderator: Marie Stenseke, Deputy Dean of the School of Business, Economics and Law, at the University of Gothenburg

9.10 - 9.55 Keynote Speaker: TBA

9.55 - 10.00 Break

10.00 - 11.05 Target Paper Presentations

• Target 8.1: Economic Growth in Different Parts of the World - Ola Olsson
• Target 8.7: No Child Labour - Heather Congdon Fors 
• Target 8.4: Resource Efficiency - Thomas Sterner

11.05 - 11.15 Break 

11.15 - 12.15 Parallel Workshops - Morning session

• Target 8.1: Economic Growth in Different Parts of the World 
• Target 8.5: No Child Labour
• Target 8.9: Resource Efficiency 

12.15 - 13.00 Lunch Break

13.00 - 13.50 Keynote Speaker: TBA

13.50 - 13.55 Break 

13.15 - 14.35 Keynote Speaker: TBA

14.35 - 14.45 Break

14. - 4516.10 Panel discussion with key note speakers:

• Alemu Mekonnen
• Chantal Line Carpentier
• Johannes Siergrist
• Pam Fredman
• Steven Stone 

Moderator: Gunnar Köhlin

16.10 - 16.20 Concluding remarks

Organisers

Hosts:  

• SDG 8 Initiative, University of Gothenburg
• School of Business, Economics and Law , University of Gothenburg
• Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development (GMV)

Co-hosts:

• Environment for Development Initiative (EfD), School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg
• Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg
• School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg 
• Global Sustainable Futures, Gothenburg Centre for Sustainable Development

Contact: Jenni Strömstad - jenni.stromstad [at] gu.se (jenni[dot]stromstad[at]gu[dot]se)