Festive launch of the book about Sustainable Development Goal 8
40 researchers globally have worked on the book Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Economic Growth and Decent Work for All. It synthesizes research on SDG 8, bringing societal change through sustainable economic growth and decent work for all by 2030. The book was officially launched at the University of Gothenburg on April 28.
The book is open-access and features chapters on specific SDG 8 targets and the role of capacity-building in achieving the goals.
“We are very happy that it’s open access, because this is a book that we hope will reach a broad audience,” says Sharon Fonn, one of the co-editors.
Will guide policymaking
The book addresses the great challenges of achieving economic growth without compromising the environment, while ensuring respect for fundamental human rights, and in particular the right to employment with equal and safe work conditions.
SDG 8 is sometimes described as a “super-goal” since it has a very broad scope and is also connected to many of the other goals.
This book provides a critical analysis of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 in the 2030 Agenda, its targets, and indicators, to reveal biases, tensions, and contradictions that need to be addressed to achieve this goal and to guide policymaking.
The role and potential of academia to contribute to achieving this SDG are scrutinized. Chapters examine and assess specific targets for SDG 8, which include policies, resource efficiency, youth employment, child labor, and sustainable tourism.
Academia has an important role
Higher education institutions’ tools for capacity building are presented, examining how education and academic research can play a role in achieving the SDG 8 targets. Overall, this book offers a synthesis of how research and higher education can make a difference in achieving a complex SDG.
The International Association of Universities (IAU) has commissioned 16 universities around the world to take the lead on coordinating research on one SDG each.
"We are proud that the IAU asked the University of Gothenburg to lead their work on SDG 8. This has also involved many universities in the EfD network," says Gunnar Köhlin, one of the editors, who also underlined the importance of academia providing better incentives for researchers to engage with policymakers.
“This book will, hopefully, be of great interest not only to academics but to all professionals working on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
The official launch of the book took place at the University of Gothenburg, was hosted by the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Max Petzold, and gathered around 20 people, mostly contributors to the book.
