The 6th Annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit Debates the Role of Africa in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the world has been pursuing Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) which will be rounded off in 2015. The year 2015 is another critical year as the world transits to a similar development paradigm which seeks to address many of the shortcomings of the MDGs. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will replace the MDGs after 2015. It is therefore apposite to consider promises that the SDGs hold for overcoming the various development challenges in Africa. Similarly, Africa cannot afford to be left behind in the on-going global development agenda setting. The ensuing SDGs, therefore, offer another opportunity for Africa to be more proactive to ensuring sustainable development in the continent as well as progressive transformation of economies and societies.
In addition to the specific goals and targets, the post-2015 SDGs aim at integrating six essential elements (dignity, people, prosperity, planet, justice, and partnership), which are germane in the African context. We can then safely ask (howbeit rhetorically), whither Africa? Is Africa prepared? What lessons are we taking from the MDGs into the SDGs?
The summit was organised by the University of Ibadan Centre for Sustainable Development (UI-CESDEV) in collaboration with the African Sustainable Development Network (ASUDNET) and Nigeria Sustainable Development Solutions Network (NSDSN). It was held during 23 – 28 August, 2015. Theme for the summit was The Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda: Whither Africa? About 230 persons from 10 countries from Africa (Ghana, Gambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria) and Europe (Italy, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom) participated at the summit. There were representatives of Governments and Non-Governmental Orgranisations, students and Alumni Associations. Young scholars and researchers presented papers at the summit.
High-point of the summit was the setting up of five research and working groups on the Sustainable Development Goals.
For more details, please contact Dr Olawale Olayide, Secretary, Local Organising Committee via email, waleolayide@yahoo.com, oe.olayide@ui.edu.ng.

Cross-section of participants at the 6th annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit Held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria during 23-28 August, 2015.

Fifth Annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit Held in Ibadan, Nigeria