Last month, academics, educators and students from around the world gathered at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) for the first-ever “University Dialogue on Pact for the Future Implementation.” Against a backdrop of global challenges—from climate emergencies to fractured multilateralism—the conference set a bold new agenda: transform universities from distant analysts into on-the-ground innovators.
Aligning Higher Ed with Global Goals
Co-hosted by United Nations University, the UN in China, BFSU and the University of Cape Town, the forum spotlighted how universities can channel research and teaching directly into the implementation of the UN Pact for the Future. As UN official Themba Kaula observed, universities are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between “promise and progress.”
Deputy Director-General Li Hai from the Chinese mainland’s Ministry of Education praised BFSU for drafting a University Action Plan and launching the “Future University Coalition for the Future,” showcasing the Chinese mainland higher education sector’s concrete steps toward global governance.
Professor Adam Day, Head of the Geneva Office at the UN University Centre for Policy Research, underscored that this coalition offers vital opportunities for young people and educators to tackle today’s toughest challenges together.
From Ivory Tower to Action Platform
The highlight was the official launch of the University Action Plan on Pact for the Future Implementation—a practical roadmap with clear pathways, strategies and partnerships. It aims to align teaching, research and collaboration with the Pact’s ambitious goals.
Complementing the plan, organizers unveiled a new Centre of Excellence for Future-oriented Learning—a multilateral hub for policy innovation—and an SDG Dialogue Series designed to engage younger students early on. Primary and secondary school performances on sustainable futures added a multi-generational spark to the dialogue.
By turning theory into hands-on projects and nurturing the next wave of changemakers, this Beijing blueprint could reshape what a global university looks like in the 21st century.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
