Prosperity, the name for the Sustainable Development and Cooperation Chair at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH), is participating in the creation of a network of university chairs on sustainability as part of its commitment to sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals.

At the first ‘University Sustainability Chairs. 2030 Agenda, Climate Change and Circular Economy’ meeting, held October 4, 2023, in Oviedo, Spain, representatives from different university chairs from all over Spain agreed to create the ‘Network of University Chairs on Sustainability’ to foster collaboration on training, research, innovation, and transfer of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) from the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

One feature of the event was the commitment to active collaboration by the chairs at universities from different regions, with the aim of addressing the challenges proposed by the SDGs. This new network is adopting a cross- and multi-disciplinary approach, recognizing and celebrating the vast diversity of knowledge and goals present in the individual university chairs.

This new group is aiming to be a common voice for the chairs, a platform for communication that will facilitate collaboration in projects and dissemination of activities among the affiliated entities. The network will promote expertise and rigorous information, maintaining a clear and firm posture on the validity and urgency of sustainability. Furthermore, a commitment to hold annual rotating meetings was established, to be hosted by its participating institutions, to strengthen cohesion and assess the progress achieved.

Through the creation of the network, ‘University Sustainability Chairs. 2030 Agenda, Climate Change and Circular Economy’ meetings will invite the university chairs from all over Spain to unite around this commitment to sustainability and to overcome the challenges posed by the Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Prosperity Chair

Prosperity (catedraprosperidad.umh.es), the Sustainable Development and Cooperation Chair at the Miguel Hernández University, was born in 2021 with the objective of fostering knowledge about and application of the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations 2030 Agenda throughout the university community and all groups and entities of interest within its area of influence.

The Generalitat Valenciana, through its Ministry of Participation, Transparency, Cooperation, and Democratic Quality, funds a sustainable development and cooperation chair at each of the five Valencian Community public universities.

The main challenges of our chair focus on training, researching, documenting, and informing society about the P of Prosperity: inclusive and sustainable economic growth that results in full employment with dignified work; construction of resilient infrastructure with inclusive employment and innovative industry; reduction of inequality and ensuring that human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.