Rethinking Partnerships in Our Lived Spaces: A Key to Achieving the SDGs

Abstract

A rich and productive history of collaborative research has given the University of Cape Town (UCT) many opportunities to observe the traditional workings of research partnerships across all levels – and to recognise how new models of collaboration might better address the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Human needs are intertwined with a healthy environment and require specific policy interventions by various actors. Responses to COVID-19 demonstrated the significance of such interventions. The African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want (which is aligned to achieving the SDGs in Africa) notes the interrelated factors that can often only be analysed effectively through interdisciplinary approaches. In this chapter, the authors use case studies to argue that the minimum requirements for achieving the SDGs are: rethinking partnerships that support the socioecological systems on which life and the future of both humanity and the planet depend; adopting an approach that informs the management and governance of specific geographic areas and how the world and its millions of different communities work together to achieve those goals; and cultivating partnerships that are ‘Global South friendly’ with the objective of creating equitable societies at a global scale.

Citation

Harrison, S.T.L. and Ramutsindela, M. (2023), "Rethinking Partnerships in Our Lived Spaces: A Key to Achieving the SDGs", Cabrera, Á. and Cutright, D. (Ed.) Higher Education and SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals (Higher Education and the Sustainable Development Goals), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 73-91. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80455-704-420231005