RUDN University brings together 1,500 experts from 70 countries to propose solutions for 17 SDGs
The conference brings together 1,500 experts to participate in 13 sections on all 17 sustainable development goals. Scientists, ministers, business owners and heads of public organizations will present research results and best practices to combat modern challenges of humanity in the field of ecology, agriculture, urban planning, and healthcare.
The main focus of this conference is on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and how countries in the African region are achieving them. Our ecologists, agronomists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, and economists will share ideas on how to help African countries and change the world for the better. This is an integrated approach to cooperation, development of science, education and technology. At the conference, where representatives from 70 countries gathered, participants have an excellent opportunity to choose the best directions for development and find partners from other countries.
Nowadays it is important for specialists to develop not only professional skills, but also communication competences. Professionalism, ethics and patient-focus are integral features of healthcare. At RUDN, thanks to the interdisciplinary approach and non-stop intercultural communication, students have every opportunity to develop professional competences and soft-skills.
The GreenMetric ranking shows the contribution of universities to achieving sustainable development goals. Currently, it is 1,050 universities from 85 countries. Among them, 29 are African universities. Thanks to participation in the program, we can track development trajectories towards achieving sustainable development goals.
The pandemic has encouraged digitalization. Now we need professionals who will develop telemedicine technologies to provide people from remote areas with access to digital medical services, including teledermatology, telecardiology, tele-oncology and telepsychiatry. At the same time, technical support staff must be trained to manage and develop these digital resources.
Ways to solve the problems of the African continent will be examined in detail at strategic and framework sessions. Discussion tracks “Biosphere”, “Society” and “Economy, Politics, Law and Partnerships” will take place November 22, 23 and 24. The experiences of Morocco and Jordan are to show the potential of drinking water purification systems. Brazil will share research into eco-friendly fishing, and Tunisia will address the issue of rubber microparticle pollution. Experts will offer solutions to the problems of soil desertification, virus resistance to antibiotics, endless growth of megacities, high prices for vegetables, and the illiteracy epidemic.
“Biosphere” track
Experts from Algeria, Brazil, Burundi, Gambia, Egypt, Zambia, Morocco, Indonesia, Jordan, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa and other countries will discuss how to treat wastewater, prevent famine in Africa, combat global warming and what restrictions are impeding green energy development in the region.
10% of the African population still drinks untreated land-based water. Women and children walk 3.7 kilometers a day to get water. Drought and desertification affect agricultural development. 52% of world territories are not suitable for growing crops.
“Society” track
Scientists from Algeria, Angola, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Egypt, Zambia, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, the Congo Republic, Tanzania, Ethiopia and other countries will share how to prevent discrimination and achieve a balance of interests, how to attract investment to achieve main SDGs, what health systems countries with challenging climates need.
The problem of “multidimensional poverty” affects the level of education. The highest concentrations of poverty are in sub-Saharan Africa. The proportion of illiterate adult women in low-income countries has risen by 20 million over the past 20 years. 35% of early marriages occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and the percentage of gender inequality on the continent is 48.6%.
“Economics, politics, law, partnerships” track
Researchers from Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Yemen, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Namibia, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia and other countries will discuss what niches African countries can occupy in global production, and the way interaction with Asia will help solve problems of sustainable development, as well as how to use alternative energy in the infrastructure of the continent.
Africa and Asia are continents with the lowest access to electricity. 2.8 billion people rely on wood, coal and manure to heat their homes and cook food. This results in 4 million deaths from air pollution every year. Moreover, by 2050, the African continent will be home to 20 to 25% of the world’s population, making the region one of the world’s main markets.
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*II International scientific conference of students and young scientists “For the sustainable development of civilization: cooperation, science, education, technology (Africa’s Pathway to 17 SDGs: an integrated approach)”.
On October 7–10, 2024 RUDN University Space Week traditionally took place. This event was dedicated to the World Space Week, which is celebrated annually in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution 54/68 (December 6, 1999) from October 4 to 10 to commemorate the launch of the first artificial satellite Sputnik-1 on October 4, 1957, and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967 – the fundamental international treaty in the field of international space law.
A RUDN agrotechnologist has identified wheat genotypes that are resistant to a dangerous fungal pathogen that infects plants even before the snow melts and reduces yields.
RUDN University engineers have calculated the parameters of a system that can prevent lunar power plants from overheating. These developments will be needed when planning for long-term lunar missions and colonizing the satellite.