An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Pretoria is supporting the South African government in their reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a universal call to form partnerships to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

 

Through the Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership, UP also houses the South African SDG Hub, which connects South African policy makers with the research and innovations they need to implement the SDGs.

 

Prof Willem Fourie, Associate Professor at the ALCRL and Coordinator of the SA SDG Hub, explains that the role of the Hub is bridging the gap between research and policy in support of the SDGs. “Our primary role is to build active partnerships and sharing SDG-relevant research and innovation towards implementing the SDGs,” he says.

 

In a process managed by Statistics South Africa, Prof Fourie is the lead author for the country report. Dr Selma Karuaihe from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences supports the drafting of the country report and is also lead author of the environmental and the social thematic Reports. Prof Roula Inglesi-Lotz from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences is responsible for the economic SDGs thematic report and Dr Thomas Probert from the Faculty of Law is responsible for the thematic report on peace, safety and governance. 

Dr Moraka Makhura from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences leads the drafting of the SDG 1 Goal Report (No poverty), while Dr Flavia Senkubuge from the Faculty of Health Sciences leads the team responsible for drafting the SDG 3 Goal Report (Good health and well-being), and Prof Alex Antonites, Head of the Department of Business Management, is responsible for drafting the Goal Report for SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth). Prof Christof Heyns from the Faculty of Law leads the team responsible for the SDG 16 Goal Report (Peace, justice and strong institutions).