The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, attended a meeting this morning with the Rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Lluís Serra, and the Rector of the University of La Laguna (ULL), Francisco Javier García Rodríguez, to finalize the agreement promoted by the Government officials responsible for managing the Canary Islands Sustainable Development Agenda: the Deputy Minister of the Presidency, Alfonso Cabello, and the Deputy Minister of the Cabinet, Octavio Caraballo. Through this agreement, the University of La Laguna and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will promote fourteen research projects funded by the Government of the Canary Islands to find innovative solutions that contribute to raising awareness and advancing the Canary Islands 2030 Agenda.
In addition to the university rectors, the president of the University Foundation of Las Palmas, Alberto Cabré de León, and its director, Eduardo Manrique de Lara, also participated. Julio Antonio Brito Santana, director of the General Foundation of the University of La Laguna, was also present. The total funding amounts to 446,577 euros.
The projects presented by the ULL aim to improve environmental awareness within the university community, incorporate sustainability into the training curriculum, analyze the climatological risks and vulnerabilities of the Canary Island municipalities, and seek innovative solutions for the primary sector.
The ULPGC's research proposals focus on strengthening research, development, and innovation in the primary sector, as well as organizing educational and community-building programs in rural areas. The projects also include initiatives to create collaborative networks between universities and develop new communication strategies, with one project specifically designed to train young influencers who are experts in sustainability. Another ULPGC project will facilitate temporary academic stays for Ukrainian researchers and postgraduate students.
The two universities will jointly address the action program of the Canary Islands Sustainability Lab. This initiative was created to establish an inter-university collaboration network among the Canary Islands' public universities, under the auspices of the New York Sustainability Lab, with the framework support of the Government of the Canary Islands and other institutions or entities interested in forming the collaborative network: the Canary Islands Sustainability Lab. This Lab aims to be a leading institution in its field for studying, evaluating, and monitoring processes related to sustainability, in conjunction with a network of researchers, professionals, and public and private stakeholders.
The Deputy Minister of the Presidency, Alfonso Cabello, pointed out that this alliance between the Government and the two public Universities is the first agreement formalized between both parties to work together on the challenge of promoting the sustainable development goals through research and the active participation of university teachers and students.
Projects of the University of La Laguna
Sowing the seeds of change: Environmental promotion and awareness within the university community. Develop an environmental awareness program for the ULL university community, replicable in society at large, with the aim of activating and localizing the Canary Islands Agenda 2030. Specific actions to be carried out include drafting a guide to good environmental practices within university campuses; promoting video clips highlighting the most relevant aspects of this guide; creating monthly eco-tips supported by scientific content; designing and implementing environmental awareness posters; and holding the 1st Sustainable Consumption Fair at the ULL.
Education for sustainability: 3C influencers. To train 20 young people from La Laguna to become SDG facilitators, capable of educating and informing the public, especially young people, about the SDGs, and encouraging their participation in social actions that contribute to achieving them. The initial pilot area for this project will be the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and its future projection is transregional, with the following objectives: to disseminate the SDGs and facilitate their understanding among citizens, organizations, and the educational community; to convey the urgency of accelerating the process of achieving the SDGs and explain how they contribute to improving the economy and social well-being.
Sustainable educational and employment horizons: Aligning the university's academic offerings with the Canary Islands 2030 Agenda. Incorporating sustainability-related content into the curricula of official Bachelor's and Master's degree programs at the University of La Laguna (ULL), as well as designing a micro-credential offering directly linked to the goals of the Canary Islands 2030 Agenda. Specific proposed actions include: analyzing the current state of ULL degree programs to identify opportunities for alignment with the Canary Islands 2030 Agenda; studying trends at other universities to adopt best practices and sustainable approaches in educational offerings; analyzing the Canary Islands labor market from a sustainable development perspective; understanding mechanisms for incorporating sustainability-related content into curricula; designing innovative and labor market-aligned micro-credential academic programs that promote lifelong learning and sustainability; and evaluating potential strategic alliances with other academic institutions, businesses, and government agencies.
Climate action plan: Risk and vulnerability analysis of Canary Island municipalities. This project analyzes the risks and vulnerabilities to climate change in the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, developing a methodological framework that can be replicated in the other Canary Island municipalities. The analysis will include trends in climate variables (temperature, rainfall, etc.), expected direct and indirect impacts, areas at greatest risk, and vulnerable populations. It will also serve as a forum for dialogue and reflection on mitigation and adaptation strategies through discussion panels. These panels will promote infrastructure adaptation, the establishment of urban planning policies that consider the impacts of climate change, the proper management of natural resources, the adoption of sustainable agricultural techniques, and the protection of ecosystems most sensitive to the effects of climate change.
Solutions for the primary sector: To promote research, development, and innovation in the primary sector and raise awareness among young people about the sector's importance to the Canary Islands. The project incorporates real-world case studies and collaboration with local farmers and producers. Its areas of focus include: analyzing the potential implementation of new technologies, practices, and processes to improve agricultural productivity; optimizing water, soil, and energy consumption; applying advanced knowledge in production, processing, and distribution to improve the quality, safety, and traceability of agricultural products; fostering diversification and the development of higher value-added agricultural products; promoting rural development and the creation of quality jobs by encouraging the creation of innovative businesses and integration into knowledge and collaboration networks; and raising awareness among young people about the importance of pursuing careers in the primary sector. The climatic conditions of the Canary Islands, intensified by the increasingly significant impact of climate change, demand efforts from public universities in innovation and development directed toward the primary sector. The goal is for university students, working in teams and accompanied by professors and professionals from the sector, to propose innovative solutions to the challenges of agricultural production.
Press release and photograph provided.
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