Under the motto “The University and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the 12th International Congress of Higher Education “University 2020” began in Havana on February 10, with the President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, attending the opening ceremony.

In his Twitter account, the Cuban president recognized the role of University 2020 as an “event that fosters the debate on the social role that higher education has in the defense of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals”.

On this occasion, University 2020 opened its doors to more than 1,300 delegates from 45 countries, including Ministers of Education from Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

The Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Culture for Latin America and the Caribbean, Katherine Muller-Marin, participated in the inauguration of the Congress, along with Cuban government, political and civil society leaders. Also present was Francesc Pedró, director of the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC).

The main actions taken by Cuban universities to achieve each of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were presented in the documentary that launched the event. The audio-visual highlights UNESCO’s cooperation with Cuba, in particular the Organization’s support for the achievement of Goal No. 11 on the island, aimed at achieving sustainable cities and communities.

Since 1998, University 2020 has gathered in Havana more than 17,000 participants from 63 countries and about 10,000 Cubans. This was stated by the Minister of Higher Education of Cuba, José Saborido Loidi, when giving the opening conference of the meeting: University and Sustainable Development, a vision from Cuba.

The Minister valued how the country’s Higher Education works to achieve sustainable development and stressed that the university “is involved in all strategic sectors contained in the Island’s Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030.”

The event’s scientific program highlights the spaces dedicated to the discussion of the main issues related to the 2030 Agenda and the interaction of its 17 SDG, especially with Objective 4, focused on ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

A cultural gala by the prestigious Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba Company concluded the opening ceremony of the Congress; its sessions will last until February 14.

Source: Text and photography UNESCO / Havana