As the dawn of a new era in international collaboration unfolds, the university celebrated the 2023 International Linkages Week (ILW) as a testament to the power of unified global intellect and shared aspirations on October 23 to 27, 2023, with the theme, “Integrative and Collaborative Education Initiatives for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)”. This theme was anchored on the University’s Laudato Si’ Action Plan and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)– both of which aim to protect our common home through sustainable practices. Various activities were conducted with local and international partners and networks through the Office of the Vice-President for Linkages and International Affairs and concerned SBU Offices to make these goals a reality.
After an extensive preparation from conceptualization to the actual implementation, the Bedan community’s reception was overwhelmingly positive. Its alignment with the University’s strategic goals surpasses standards and future projects. Specifically, the event focused on the following objectives: 1) Enhance the implementation of programs and practices aligned with solid waste management; 2) Strengthen local, regional, and international partnerships and networks; 3) Develop international best practice on tackling the SDGs; 4) Pursue institutionalized, integrative and comprehensive collaborations with government and its agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and networks in line with SBU’s vision-mission, institutional objectives, and hallmarks of Benedictine education; 5) Steward the alignment of departmental strengths and capabilities towards productive engagement with partners; 6) Provide opportunities in multi-cultural contexts contributing to skills enhancement; and 7) Initiate and participate in cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs.
The event has successfully set a benchmark for how educational institutions can play a pivotal role in ecological sustainability with the Bedan community’s deep commitment and active engagement toward environmental stewardship and social responsibility, resonating with the Laudato Si’ mandate and the SDGs. As the curtains close on last year’s ILW, the seeds have been sown for a continuous journey towards sustainable development, with the university leading by example. The robust partnerships formed, the knowledge exchanged, and the initiatives launched are mere precursors to the ongoing commitment of the University to shape a future where education and sustainability are inextricably linked, ensuring that the next generation inherits a world not only capable of sustaining life but also flourishing in harmony with nature. The week-long event did not just “hit the mark”; it redefined it, establishing a new paradigm for integrative and collaborative education initiatives.
Author: Greg Emmanuel D. Baniaga
Source: SBU
