The ‘Pact for the Future’, which was recently adopted by United Nations member states, should receive the attention of all universities. Even though universities and academia are only mentioned a few times in this document and its annexures, it is clear that many of the objectives and undertakings in the Pact can only be realised when the expertise and reach ofuniversities are leveraged by all role-players involved.
The Pact presents itself as “a new beginning in multilateralism”, with pledges by memberstates to undertake a wide range of actions that will deliver “a better future for people and planet”. The actions are organised under five headings:
- Sustainable development and financing for development
- International peace and security
- Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation
- Youth and future generations
- Transforming global governance.
In addition to the 56 wide-reaching actions, there are two annexures, each with identified actions and commitments:
- Global Digital Compact
- Declaration on Future Generations.
The Global Digital Compact is of particular relevance to achieving the objectives of the Pact: “Digital and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, play a significant role as enablers of sustainable development and are dramatically changing our world. They offer huge potential for progress for the benefit of people and planet today and in the future.” (Par. 51)
The Compact contains five wide-ranging objectives relating to digital technologies – in each case outlining the objective and providing principles, commitments and actions. In fifteen densely packed pages, a wide range of actions are introduced, in many cases indicating the SDGs to which such actions relate.
The commitments of member states regarding digital skills and digital technologies touch upon many domains and activities of universities, e.g. digital skills development, developing curricula that are appropriate for the digital age and promoting information integrity.
The potential and risks of artificial intelligence are also addressed and member states commit themselves to institute appropriate international governance structures for AI.
Member states commit themselves to implement the Global Digital Compact within their own countries and at regional and global levels.
Many readers of the Compact might respond by saying that many of the commitments of member states simply cannot be executed, e.g. to eliminate, by 2030, the divides of access, digital skills and even the ‘AI divides’. However, as in many international agreements, the commitments often amount not to formal promises, but are essential to spurring action from all role-players. Many of these actions will involve academic institutions, their departments/schools, their academics and their engagement programmes.
Giving attention to the Pact and the Compact, is indeed in the interest of all universities and academics. The country commitments might provide opportunities for academics to further their engagement activities.
SARUA’s strategic focus areas relate to many commitments and actions identified in the Pactand the Compact, e.g. strategies towards co-creation of knowledge, the achievement of the SDGs, digital transformation and developing university capacity in relevant areas.
The ‘Pact for the Future’ can be downloaded here.
