Projects seek to promote actions that make people aware of a sustainable environment for future generations
In commemoration of International Mother Earth Day, better known as Earth Day, celebrated this Monday (22), the State University of Maringá (Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM) recalls the importance of developing actions and projects that meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável - ODS).
The 22nd was adopted by the United Nations (Organização das Nações Unidas - ONU) in 2009 with the aim of promoting environmental awareness and sustainable development around the world. The SDG represents a global action plan made up of 17 goals and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030 for poverty eradication; promotion of quality education; environmental protection; energy; water and sanitation; climate change; sustainable cities; protection and sustainable use of oceans and terrestrial ecosystems; among others.
UEM was awarded the SDG Gold Seal in 2022 and 2023 by the Social Responsibility Institute of the Maringá’s Business and Trade Association (Associação Comercial e Empresarial de Maringá - ACIM). It also won the Maringá Social Seal - Cycle 2023 with the presentation of 17 projects. The Regional University Hospital of Maringá (Hospital Universitário Regional de Maringá - HUM) received the Silver SDG Seal in 2022 and won the Gold SDG Seal in 2023.
The “Sustainability Report 2023: State University of Maringá's actions to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals”, launched in January of this year, highlights initiatives, research and extension projects that address the three areas of sustainability: social, economic and environmental.
The rector of UEM, Leandro Vanalli, emphasizes that “the significant number of research and extension projects that we have connected to the SDG agenda attest to UEM's commitment to the environmental challenges that threaten the future of the planet, with respect for the limits of the environment and its preservation for future generations”.
Future
The president of UEM's Environmental Management Committee (Comitê Gestor Ambiental - CGA), Rodrigo Camilo, shares that, for the 2024 academic year, some of the initiatives and goals to be met are: increase the recycling rate in departments and common areas; promote awareness campaigns on reducing the use of disposable plastics and selective collection; expand educational programs on sustainability and develop projects to preserve green areas on campus through partnerships with local institutions and groups.
Among the challenges to be faced, Camilo points to the active participation of members of the academic community, the distribution of resources amid other financial demands and adaptation to climate change, which requires planning. “We are committed to tackling these challenges and continuing to move towards a more sustainable and responsible university, working in collaboration with the entire academic community and external partners,” concludes the CGA president.
Extension projects
According to a survey carried out, the university has around 381 extension projects underway that address some of the 17 SDGs. These include:
SOS Waters of Northern Paraná: Research and Extension Networks
SDG 3 - Health and well-being
SDG 4 - Education
SDG 6 - Drinking water and sanitation
SDG 11 - Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 14 - Protect marine life
SDG 17 - Partnerships and means of implementation
Pollen for Climate Network: Collaborative action research with an emphasis on environmental education and climate change
SDG 3 - Health and well-being
SDG 4 - Education
SDG 7 - Renewable Energy
Reverse logistics and selective collection: learning about sustainability with Juca, MUDI's mascot
SDG 3 - Health and well-being
SDG 4 - Education
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 8 - Decent Work
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Enactus UEM
SDG 4 - Education
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 10 - Reducing Inequality
Translated by: Felipe Piva Amorim
Proofread by: Felipe Lisbôa