On the surface there is little commonality between the two. One is a predominantly homogenous first-world country with a population of 10,5 million people where you are more likely to see the northern lights than a lanky giraffe. It occupies an area of 447,425 km2 . The other is almost thrice as large. Its contours encapsulates 1,221,037 km2 and within it a diverse population of 60,6 million people live in a developing country at the foot of Africa.
But, from 29 to 31 March during the South Africa-Sweden University Forum’s (SASUF) Sustainability Forum, delegates from the 40 participating universities united in the single purpose of confronting some of both countries’ most pressing problems. Funding opportunities for research were discussed, partnerships took root, and the way was paved for future collaborations.
For Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), says it was an invaluable exercise in honestly appraising the difficulties inhibiting sustainability.
“Throughout the SASUF Sustainability Forum, we again saw that there are no easy answers for these difficult but pertinent questions. It is, however, important that we create environments where discourse thrive to find solutions. This is what the SASUF does. As a society we face a multitude of challenges, some of great magnitude. And, from the topics discussed such as food security, health issues, climate change and our growing digital world with all its complexities, it is clear that successful partnerships will go a long way to address them. The tools at our disposal are so much more effective when we combine them, and it is our responsibility as institutions of higher education to do everything in our power to promote prosperity.”
As the delegates leave for their respective destinations, they will fly over landscapes of vast and spectacular beauty. They will look down on mountains and deserts, coastal heavens and pastures as green as envy. They will drive past towering skyscrapers; they will traverse streets where commerce thrive. They will also see communities shackled in poverty and chained to despair. They will see challenges aplenty. They will also see, lurking beneath it all, opportunity. They will also see… hope.
We all stand together. Delegates from the 40 participating SASUF universities gathered in front of the Jakes Gerwel Hall at the University of the Western Cape.
