The UN’s SDGs – what happened to them at SDU?

In June 2023, SDU’s Board of Directors adopted a new strategy. It replaces the 2019 strategy focusing on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Many people have asked me if SDU no longer works with the SDGs and sustainable development. To this I would say both yes and no. 

No to the SDGs 

Terms such as ‘the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals’, ‘Our Sustainable Development Goals’ and ‘SDG’ do not appear in the new strategy text. The reason is that we as management want to set a different direction for the University’s development towards 2030 than the previous management decided in 2019.

In 2019, the SDGs were a good framework for explaining how SDU can create value for society in many academic areas. However, the 2019 strategy did not provide concrete suggestions on how this value creation should take place. The new strategy emphasises how SDU creates value through concrete tools and measures. We create value by ensuring continued high quality in research, education and administration – and not least by developing people and creating excellent environments. Focusing on quality and people will ensure that SDU remains a great and strong university in 2030.

Yes to sustainability 

The UN’s SDGs address complex societal challenges in areas such as health, climate, life on land and life in water. Although the new strategy does not specifically refer to the SDGs, SDU will continue to contribute with excellent research that points the way to new sustainable solutions, and SDU’s education programmes will continue to prepare students to help with sustainable transition in companies and organisations.

In fact, the new strategy points out that sustainable change and solutions require new knowledge. The strategy also mentions that we will prioritise 3–5 academic themes where SDU can contribute with solutions to major societal challenges. For example, the SDU Climate Cluster has been established to promote climate-related research at SDU. The strategy also states that we will focus on talent and excellent environments characterised by diversity. Finally, I would like to point out that the strategy mentions that we will continue to implement sustainability and climate considerations in the University’s operations. I will elaborate on this in a later column piece. 

Focus on sustainability without SDG wrapping 

Many people have told me that SDU’s new strategy is sensible and makes sense. I also understand that many found the 2019 strategy with the UN’s SDGs very meaningful.

To all of you, I just want to say: At SDU, we continue to create value for society by contributing to solving complex societal challenges and creating sustainable development. But going forward, we as a management team will not wrap the University’s focus and work in terms such as ‘the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals’, ‘SDGs’ and ‘Our Sustainable Development Goals’.

Read more here! 

SDU’s new strategy ‘Value, quality and people – the University of Southern Denmark towards 2030’. 

SDU’s work with sustainability in research and education in the 2022 Sustainability Report.