Role of higher education institutions in advancing UN goals highlighted

The "University Dialogue on Pact for Future Implementation", co-hosted by United Nations University, United Nations in China, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and South Africa's University of Cape Town, was held at BFSU on Thursday.

The dialogue brought together representatives from the UN system, China's Ministry of Education, and universities across continents to discuss the role of higher education institutions in advancing the pact and supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Li Hai, deputy director-general of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges at the Ministry of Education, said the Pact for the Future presents a grand blueprint for global governance as the UN marks its 80th anniversary.

He put forward three proposals: building consensus to share opportunities, pursuing open cooperation for shared development, and embracing the mission to jointly create the future. He affirmed the ministry's continued support for universities to deepen cooperation with international partners to foster knowledge sharing and mutual learning among civilizations.

Themba Kaula, director of the Pact for the Future Implementation in the UN Secretary-General's Executive Office, stated that universities serve as a crucial bridge linking policy with action, and aspiration with reality.

He spoke highly of the active exploration by Chinese universities in promoting multilateral cooperation, youth engagement, and digital governance, calling on global universities to jointly build a future-oriented knowledge community.

Wang Dinghua, Party secretary of BFSU, outlined three dimensions of practice: using education as a bridge, dialogue as a bond, and cooperation as strength.

He stated that BFSU would take the dialogue as an opportunity to further leverage its strengths in languages and cross-cultural studies to promote the establishment of a global network for university cooperation.

Adam Day, director of the Center for Policy Research at UNU, said the dialogue helps universities further align with the Pact and its commitments, providing opportunities for youth, scholars, and educators to engage in solving the world's most critical issues.

The meeting officially launched the "Action Plan for Universities on Implementing the Pact for the Future," which proposes the establishment of the "University Coalition for the Future".