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An innovative school to meet the challenges of sustainable development adopted by the UN
Faced with the immensity of the economic, social and environmental challenges that characterize the state of the planet at the start of the 21st century, the scientific and academic communities, as well as political and socio-economic players, have a specific role to play through their contribution to global advances in knowledge and the promotion of change to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in 2015.
Initiated in 2016 by Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), the SDG Summer School helps train tomorrow's scientific, economic and political players in charge of global issues.
The fifth edition of the SDO School will be held remotely from November 2024 to February 2025. It will focus on SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, with an emphasis on the sustainable development of coastal cities. The reinforced ambition of this school is to stimulate the creation of interdisciplinary and intersectoral projects: they are the levers of change.
The subject of sustainable development of coastal cities will be tackled in particular in its interactions with the other Sustainable Development Goals.
ADN OF ODD
ADN OF ODD
While previous editions primarily focused on developing outlines for interdisciplinary research projects, EODD 2025 is setting even more ambitious goals. It aims to foster the creation of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary action-research projects within specific ecosystems on well-defined themes. Through a learning process based on collective intelligence and a project-based approach, the program aspires to create an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration, bringing together a diverse range of participants, including both researchers and practitioners working towards the implementation of the SDGs.
Another notable innovation is the extension of the program over a longer period, featuring online training, working groups in three coastal cities across Africa and the Mediterranean (Marseille, Tunis, Aného), and a final phase in Marseille. During this concluding phase, selected projects will be presented and refined, scientific ideas will be exchanged, and science communication and outreach sessions will be offered.
This initiative, rooted in sustainability science, aims to train participants and co-produce knowledge to better understand the interactions between natural and social systems. It seeks to address the needs of local populations while offering practical solutions for sustainable development. By contributing to the achievement of the SDGs, the program is committed to benefiting future generations by fostering synergies among stakeholders working towards a common goal, ultimately initiating high-impact projects to ensure the sustainability of the coastal cities of tomorrow.
GOALS
GOALS
An Innovative Educational Approach to "Becoming Sustainability Scientists Together"
Co-designed by a multi-stakeholder consortium, this summer school will offer future scientific, economic, and political leaders the tools to “learn to solve together”:
Deepen Knowledge of Sustainable Development Challenges in Coastal Cities: Participants will strengthen their understanding of the critical issues facing coastal urban areas.
Build a Collective: By identifying individual skills, fostering affinities, and reducing barriers to cooperation, participants will form collaborative working groups.
Grasp the Complexity of the SDGs: A collective exploration and co-design process will help participants understand the interconnected nature, complexity, and shared responsibilities associated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Experience Interdisciplinarity: Participants will be introduced to interdisciplinary approaches by valuing each other’s expertise and iteratively co-developing solutions.
Integrate Cross-Sector Collaboration: The program will encourage cooperation between public, private, civil society, and academic actors, fostering the exchange of perspectives and resources to develop innovative solutions to complex sustainability challenges.
How Does It Work?
The 2025 edition of the SDG School will consist of three main phases:
Online Training: An initial remote learning phase will provide foundational knowledge on sustainability and SDGs.
Focus Groups: Participants will join one of three in-person working groups held in Marseille (France), Tunis (Tunisia), and Aného (Togo). These sessions will enable context-specific, collaborative exploration of sustainability challenges in coastal cities.
Final Event in Marseille: The program will conclude with a final event in Marseille, where insights from the focus groups will be shared, and new collaborative actions will be initiated.
Key Outcomes of This Edition:
Strengthen Knowledge of SDGs: Enhance understanding of the SDGs and their links to other global and local issues.
Advance Scientific Understanding: Develop research-based knowledge on the sustainability challenges facing coastal cities.
Promote Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research: Foster research that bridges disciplines and engages practitioners.
Build Local and Regional Networks: Connect actors from different sectors to create a collaborative community focused on coastal sustainability.
Encourage Project Development: Support the design and development of sustainability projects at various stages, particularly aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, with a special focus on coastal urban areas.
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