Online higher degree in Sustainable Development and inter-university research programme on SIDS issues
UCSIS, the University Consortium for Small Island States; represented by the University of the West Indies (UWI).
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Description
Within UCSIS, some of the Universities already have bilateral cooperation agreements and work together on some issues on an ad hoc basis. Similarly, there are bilateral arrangements between some of the universities that will be part of the SDSN and UCSIS members. Such arrangements may involve joint research or exchange of staff and students. The UCSIS will support the convening of the members of the two groups to identify high priority issues that can be addressed effectively by the Partnership members working together and to develop a research programme. UCSIS will support the coordination and exchange of research information to address the high priority programmes areas. UCSIS has already developed the IT platform that can support the communication of research material and the courses developed from the research results. Where possible, such courses will be incorporated into the new Master's degree. The UCSIS is governed by a Board of Trustees and its Programme Committee oversees project implementation.
The UCSIS was able, with funding from the Spanish Government, made available through UNDESA, to build a robust internet-based platform to make course material available online for the purposes of teaching and training. This platform will continue to be used to provide more information and training materials to a wider audience and to allow for exchange of information as needed by Consortium researchers. This will result in training material and courses being offered online to the countries served by the Consortium Universities, such material will also be made available to the university members of the SDSN.
The UCSIS is governed by a Board of Trustees and its Programme Committee oversees project implementation. The Programme Committee was successful in the development of the online degree programme and will oversee its implementation and the development and implementation of the research programme. The Consortium seeks to enhance the capacity of higher education institutions in small island states to provide practical, high quality training, research and outreach to build within SIDS, the capacity required to implement the BPOA. Key objectives of the Consortium are: 1. Improved information flow among Members on course offerings, facilities and student needs.2. Cooperative curriculum development, research, indigenous Knowledge management and outreach in the key areas of importance for SIDS to support resilience building.3. Research findings and reference material shared and enhanced cooperation on these among students and faculty. 4. The results of SIDS-focused research used to assemble curricula relevant to island development.The Institute for Sustainable Development at the University of the West Indies is the current location of the International Secretariat for the UCSIS and will also be the host of the SDSN Caribbean Network, following its launch in May 2014. Since both networks will share an office for some of the time of the partnership, day to day communication and coordination will be facilitated by the UWI. During the time of the partnership the UCSIS secretariat will move to another member university. Once this takes place the two universities will share in the support and coordinating functions.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
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Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Region
- Africa
- Europe
- Asia and Pacific
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Countries
Contact Information
David C. Smith, Coordinator