Broadening Scientific Horizons: For the Third Time RUDN University Became an Expert Platform for SDG-dialogues

This year Latin America and the Caribbean countries are in focus. More than 130 experts from 30 countries presented their research in the course of 3 thematic tracks of the conference: ‘Biosphere’, ‘Society’, ‘Economy, Politics, Law, Partnerships’.

RUDN University hosted the III International Scientific Conference “For the Sustainable Development of Civilization: Cooperation, Science, Education, Technology”. The conference gathered more than 2000 participants from 72 countries worldwide.

This year the focus was on Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 130 experts from 30 countries presented their research at 3 thematic tracks of the conference:

• “Biosphere Track”;
• “Society Track”;
• “Economy, Politics, Law, Partnerships Track”.

At the plenary session, the participants highlighted the main vectors of development of Latin America and the Caribbean to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, which were developed by the UN in 2015.

“This year our university is holding a conference under the auspices of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO. We have organized the international scientific conference devoted to the problems of sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean for a reason. RUDN University has been cooperating with representatives of the countries for many years in terms of scientific and educational activities. To date, about 500 students from 28 countries of the region study at RUDN University. Throughout the history of our university, we have trained more than 11,000 highly qualified specialists from Latin America and the Caribbean.” – Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University. 

“Most Latin American countries are major players in the sustainable development arena, contributing significantly to reaching essential agreements on how we will move forward to achieve the SDGs. Hopefully, this conference will contribute to the consolidation of friendly and partnership relations between the Russian Federation and Latin America and will serve the important cause of achieving sustainable development not only until 2030, but also in the longer term.” - Sergey Kononuchenko, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Special Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Climate Issues.

“The 17 SDGs require an integrated approach: a combination of science, ethics, policy and strategic insight. Latin America has considerable reserves for adaptation in the modern transitional world. Latin America is the most peaceful region over the last two centuries and is experiencing rapid economic growth.” – Vladimir Davydov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Development of AI technologies plays a particular role in the strategy for achieving the SDGs.

“When it comes to the application of artificial intelligence, it is directly related to SDG 3, namely health. With machine learning programmes, chemical compounds can be effectively screened. The application of artificial intelligence significantly accelerates the production of new medicines. It is also directly related to SDG 7, affordable and clean energy: AI algorithms optimize electricity grids and contribute significantly to increasing the share of renewable energy efficiency. SDGs 13 and 15 are about environmental risks and reducing the human impact on the environment: one of the key impacts of AI is expected in issues related to water purification and new agricultural production technologies.” – Valentin Ananikov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Member of Academia Europaea, Head of the Department of N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Science, Head of the Chemistry Section of the Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences of RAS.

The plenary session was also attended by:

• Fidela Reyes Obediente, General Director of Teaching, Ministry of Public Health of Cuba;
• Juan Genaro del Campo Rodriguez, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Peru to the Russian Federation;
• Rafael Luque Alvarez de Sotomayor, Leading scientist, professor at the Technological University ECOTEC (Ecuador).

The experts focused on the SDGs of Peru, a comparative analysis of medical education and training in Cuba and Latin America, a case study of bioremediation and eco-restoration activities in Ecuador.

“It is a great pleasure to be here and interact with people from different countries. It is significant that we are working hard in our country and getting results. For example, there are certain developments in the areas of soil and water resources.”- Heriberto Vargas Rodríguez, Professor, Deputy Dean for Research, Postgraduate Studies and Internationalization, Faculty of Agronomy, Agrarian University of Havana; Member of the Board of Directors of the Cuban Soil Society.

“In Brazil, we have plenty of opportunities to play sport. We don't just get young people involved in sport, we instil healthy habits through physical and social activity from an early age.” - Ricardo Ricci Uvinha, Founding Member, Secretary General of BRICCESSESS; Professor, Director of the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo

Students presented their research and creative works at the contests held during the conference:

• “Countries of the World: Partnership for Sustainable Development”;
• “Project Start: Scientific Agenda for the Countries of Admission”;
• “Faces of the World - Latin America and the Caribbean. We are Together” (jointly with the Moscow Art and Industry Institute).