The United Nations is driving a global effort called the Decade of Action, which seeks to improve life for all people and the health of the planet from 2020 to 2030 by working toward 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

“The goals address not only environmental and climate concerns, but also societal challenges, like affordable housing, job opportunities, youth empowerment, and more. This year’s conference will be driving those conversations and activities here in our region,” said Austin Shelton, director of the Center for Island Sustainability.

Pre-conference symposiums and opening session

Pre-conference sessions on April 5 and 6 include a NASA Guam Research Symposium, a Guam Housing Symposium, a climate adaptation symposium featuring student research, and site visits to the newly opened G3 Makerspace, the G3 Community Garden, and the Guam Museum.

The conference will formally open at 4 p.m. on April 6 with opening remarks by conference co-chairs UOG President Dr. Thomas W. Krise and Guam Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, a plenary session titled “Starting the Decade of Action,” and a networking reception.  

Keynote by East-West Center president

Delivering the keynote speech at 9:15 a.m. on April 7 will be Suzanne Vares-Lum, the president of the East-West Center – an education and research organization based in Hawaii that promotes relations among people and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States – and is the first native Hawaiian women to hold the position.

Vares-Lum is a long-time advocate of Indo-Pacific issues, leadership and mentorship, women, peace, and security. As a retired major general with 34 years of service, Vares-Lum has held key roles in addressing priority national security challenges in the region.

Sustainability experts and CIS Seed Talks

Plenary sessions throughout the conference will feature sustainability experts, researchers, and civic leaders from the Pacific region presenting on sustainable development topics from food security and climate change to youth empowerment and economic development.

The conference’s popular “CIS SEED Talks: Ideas Worth Cultivating” series — modeled after TED Talks, which are short, powerful talks of 18 minutes or less designed to stir curiosity and inspire action — will take place at 3:40 p.m. on April 8.

Registration

The conference invites attendees from universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses worldwide. Last year’s virtual conference drew nearly 4,000 participants from more than 60 countries, states, and territories.

Those interested in attending can register and view the conference schedule and speaker bios at uog.edu/cis2022. 

Register Here