“Can Multidimensional Poverty Trends Leave No One Behind by 2030?” is the title of a panel discussion organised by Södertörn University during the World Academic Forum’s Stockholm Summit 2022. The summit is a collaborative event, in which all 18 of Stockholm’s higher education institutions are coming together to highlight the important role of academia in society, from 17 to 20 May.

“Our guests are specially invited and we hope that this combination of individuals will contribute to a discussion that is both interesting and challenging,” says Peter Dobers, one of the event’s initiators.

Exploratory talks on campus

Södertörn University will host one of the 27 interdisciplinary meetings on 18 May. These events discuss current research topics and global challenges in creative ways, both online and on site. The hope is that inspiration and new ideas will grow from academics and artists gathering in new, interesting and interdisciplinary groupings.

Södertörn University’s participants are Gloria L Gallardo Fernández, PhD in Sociology and professor of Environmental Science, and Ranjula Bali Swain, professor of Economics. The format will be similar to that of Stockholm Explorative Talks, an interdisciplinary meeting between academics. Södertörn University, Marie Cederchiöld University and University College Stockholm have invited experts to contribute their unique perspectives and specialist knowledge.

International and interdisciplinary panel of researchers

“We will also have international guests,” says Peter Dobers. “The session will be opened by Sabina Alkire, a researcher at Oxford University who leads work at the Poverty and Human Development Initiative, a research centre at Oxford’s Department of International Development. Other participants are Kenneth Mtata, theologian and secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, and Josephine Sundqvist, PhD in Theology and Human rights at Uppsala University and a former adviser at Sida, now secretary-general at Läkarmissionen. Maria Eriksson, professor of Social Work at Marie Cederschiöld University and Linde Lindkvist, associate professor at University College Stockholm are also participating.”

The event will be held in the university’s theatre studio, Svarta lådan, from 16.00 and 18.00 and will be followed by a reception in the foyer. The event can also be watched online, as it will be livestreamed with the support of the university’s media production unit and students from Media Technology.

“We only have seating for a hundred guests in Svarta lådan, but our hope is that as many people as possible will watch from other places around the world,” says Peter Dobers.

Artistic interpretation of the discussion

The entire event closes with a performance by the Voces Nordicae vocal group, led by artist and conductor Lone Larsen, in which they interpret the discussion and present it as a musical stage performance.

“It is extremely exciting to work with an event such as this, which combines research and performance art,” says Jessica Karlén, project manager at Södertörn University, who hopes that the theatre will be filled with interested listeners.

To register for the event, please visit the World Academic Forum's website and register via the link. External link, opens in new window.

Several research projects from the university will participate

Researchers from Södertörn who are participating in events during the week include Sofia Lundmark, senior lecturer in Media Technology, and Romina Rodela, associate professor at the School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies. Alongside researchers from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the University of Arts, Craft and Design, the Royal College of Music and the Stockholm University of the Arts, they are holding a symposium on the importance of listening.

The leading example in the symposium is the Planning with Youth research project, which uses creative methods to increase participation and involve young people in urban planning. The symposium will be held online and will be followed by a soundwalk around Huddinge. Read more about what a soundwalk is and register by going to the event on World Academic Forum's website. External link, opens in new window.

Register via the event's registration page. External link, opens in new window.

Researcher Sara Persson from Södertörn University is also participating in a panel on 20 May. She and several other researchers will be answering questions from upper-secondary school students about work on the UN’s Global Goals. More information is available here. External link.

The day after the discussion in Svarta lådan, 19 May, it is Södertörn University’s turn to visit Marie Cederchiöld University. Researchers once again meet to discuss and explore a theme, that of “Being Human(ist) in the Anthropocene”. You can read more about the discussion and register for the event here. External link.

To read more about the conference and see the entire programme, as well as register for the activities in the city and online, please visit World Academic Forum's website. External link, opens in new window.