SDG Public Lecture Series
The lecture series "The Sustainable Development Goals in Context" offers insights into current research and practice and takes place online as a public event.
What are the major challenges and chances related to sustainability? How does ETH Zurich contribute to sustainable development?
The United Nations Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an opportunity for the international community to shape the course of sustainable development.
With their range of expertise, universities can develop the science to help achieving the SDGs. Join the Public Lecture Series and gain insights from cutting edge science and leading societal actors.
REGISTER NOW
for the Fourth Edition: 27 September to 13 December 2023
Are you an ETH student?
If you would like to enroll to get credit points, please REGISTER for this course 701-??0900-?00L The Sustainable Development Goals in Context to get access to the Moodle.
Are you a guest?
If you would like to attend the Public Lecture Series as a guest, please REGISTER using the form.
Programme of the Fourth Edition
Kick-off
Wednesday, 27 September 2023
HG E 1.1, 18:15-19:30 hrs CET (please note that the in-person sessions start at 18:15 hrs not at 18:00 hrs)
Keynote
How has the Agenda 2030 changed international cooperation?
Nicole Ruder
Ambassador, Vice Director, Head of Multilateral Affairs and NGO Division, Swiss Development Cooperation (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, FDFA)
Guided tours: open your eyes photo festival with ETH Sustainability
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
13:00-19:00 hrs CET, Zurich Old Town
The open your eyes photo festival is currently taking place in various locations in the Zurich Old Town and lake promenade. Each SDG is featured at its own theme island, where it is illustrated by breathtaking photography and cutting-edge science. ETH Sustainability is offering guided tours starting at every hour between 13:00 and 19:00 hrs. external pageFind the locations and register for the event.call_made
Global inequalities
Wednesday, 11 October 2023
HG E 1.1, 18:15-19:30 hrs CET
Scientific perspective
Isabel Günther
Professor for Development Economics (D-GESS, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Joachim Merz
Programme Responsible Development Cooperation (Solidar Suisse)
Panelist
Andreas Missbach
Managing Director (Alliance Sud)
Health and Inclusivity
Wednesday, 18 October 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Roger Gassert
Professor for Rehabilitation Engineering (D-HEST, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Annegret Kern
Co-Head CYBATHLON (ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Jonathan Baltensperger
Programme Coordinator (Christoffel Blindenmission)
Food Systems and Food Policy
Wednesday, 25 October 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Eva Meemken
Professor for Food System Economics and Policy (D-USYS, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Aline Roth
Sustainability Food Project Manager (Coop)
Panelist
Arif Husain
Chief Economist and Director of Research, Assessment and Monitoring (World Food Programme)
Construction, Sustainability and Preservation
Wednesday, 1 November 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Silke Langenberg
Professor for Construction Heritage and Monument Preservation (D-ARCH, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Chrissie Muhr
Architect, Curator, Researcher, Artistic Director Arch Week Basel
Panelist
Daniel Baumann
Head of Department "Building Division Administration Culture Security" (Canton of Zurich)
Circularity and Decarbonizing in the Building Sector
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Catherine de Wolf
Professor for Professor of Circular Engineering for Architecture (D-BAUG, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Satwik Mudgal
Principal Sustainability Strategist (Quantis)
Panelist
Ryan Roberts
Head of Sustainable Construction (Holcim)
Energy and Energy Access
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Tobias Schmidt
Professor for Energy and Technology Policy (D-GESS, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Churchill Agutu
Derisking Renewable Energy Investments Specialist (United Nations Development Programme)
Panelist
Tobias Ruckstuhl
CEO (Persistent Energy)
Conflict Mediation, Transitional Justice and Collective Memory
Wednesday, 22 November 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Simon Mason
Head of Mediation Support Team (Center for Security Studies, D-GESS, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Catherine Marchi-Uhel
Head of International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (United Nations)
Panelist
Nicolas De Torrenté
Senior Adviser in the Task Force Dealing with the Past and Prevention of Atrocities (FDFA)
Water and Sanitation
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Bernhard Wehrli
Professor emeritus for Aquatic Chemistry (D-UYSY, ETH Zurich)
Panelist
Bernita Doornbos
Head of Water, Nutrition and Climate (HELVETAS)
Panelist
Silvan Staufert
CTO and Co-Founder (Oxyle)
Career Event - Postponed to 27 February 2024, 18-20h, venue at ETH Zurich
Panelist
Dr. Michaela Wenner
Scientific Associate (Statistics of Development Finance, SDC (FDFA))
Panelist
Samira Amos
Project Manager Swiss Food Policy (Biovision)
Panelist
Karin Hilfiker
CEO and Founder (Waldstudio)
Panelist
Roberto Rigobello
Head of Sustainability (Novo Nordisk - International Operations)
Panelist
Dr. Sebastian Kahlert
Sustainability Manager (ETH Sustainability)
Technology and Climate Change
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
18:00-19:30 hrs CET (Zoom, please register)
Scientific perspective
Jan Wegner
Professor of Science for the Sciences (University of Zurich)
Keynote
Flavien Joubert
Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Republic of Seychelles
Previous editions
Three editions of the Public Lecture Series "The Sustainable Development Goals in Context" were organised in the spring semesters 2020, 2021, and 2022. They were organized by D-USYS in cooperation with ETH Sustainability and ETH4D.
For previous programmes and speakers see below.