Day 1: Thursday 11 February

Welcome and formal opening of the SDG Conference Bergen 2021

• Ms. Ine Eriksen Søreide, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Norway
• Dr. Margareth Hagen, Rector, University of Bergen
• Mr. Andreas Trohjell, President, National Union of Students in Norway

An opportunity to catch up with other conference participants or to visit the special SDG poster session.

Keynote lecture 1: It's time to create regenerative and distributive economies

• Dr. Kate Raworth, Professor at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford

The repeated crises that have marked the start of the 21st century call for a new vision and compass for human prosperity. The Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries offers such a vision and is gaining traction internationally. Kate Raworth will show how, in order to get into the Doughnut, we must transform the dynamics of our economies: from degenerative to regenerative; from divisive to distributive, and will present examples - from cities and businesses to teachers and communities - that are already putting it into practice.

Discussants:

• Dr. Clive Spash, Professor of Public Policy & Governance at WU Vienna University of Economics. Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Value 
• Ms. Aili Keskitalo, President of the Norwegian Sami Parliament
• Ms. Vilde Friis Ruud, Student at the Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen

From ‘Drivers of change’ to ‘Narratives for change’: broadening the debate

A key message from “The European Environment - State and Outlook 2020” report of the European Environment Agency is that responses to sustainability challenges face many barriers that prevent the desired change. Consumerism and growth policies are among these barriers. There is a need to broaden the policy debate. Benini and Strand will briefly present a joint initiative to provoke a re-thinking of practices and values in our society called “Narratives for Change”.

• Dr. Roger Strand, Professor at the University of Bergen
• Dr. Lorenzo Benini, Expert in Systems and Sustainability Assessments, European Environment Agency (EEA)

An opportunity to catch up with other conference participants or to visit the special SDG poster session.

Parallel session 1: COVID-19 and Health Inequalities

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and amplified health disparities that existed already before the pandemic. Socially disadvantaged groups, including low-income populations and racial and ethnic minorities, are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. They also have a higher risk of experiencing detrimental health effects due to reduced capacity and outreach of health care services for other health problems - as well as from social and public health pandemic mitigation measures. Women and girls face disproportionate impacts. The pandemic potentially reverses decades of progress related to the SDGs. This session will discuss health inequalities in various contexts and identify actionable research areas and policy actions needed to respond to the pandemic in an equitable way, supporting inclusive recovery. 

Key question

Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities in health?

Programme and participants

13:00-13:05    Welcome

Dr. Paul Fife, Director for Global Health, Education and Human Rights, Norad

Dr. Jeanette H. Magnus, Director, The Centre for Global Health, University of Oslo

13:05-13:15    “The COVID-19 Pandemic and Health Inequalities”

Prof. Clare Bambra, Professor of Public Health, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University

13:15-13:25    “COVID-19 and Health Inequalities: The Case for Transparent and Inclusive Decision-Making”

Prof. Ole Frithjof Norheim, Director, Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting (BCEPS), University of Bergen

13:25-13:50    “Country experiences, public health strategies and effects on inequalities”

Ghana: Dr. Anthony Ofosu, Deputy Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health & and co-investigator for the Ghana country research on COVID-19 and West and Central African health systems (Catalyse)

Nepal: Prof. Bernadette Kumar, Empower School of Health in India, Chair, Global Society on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health; Co-Chair of UCL-Lancet Commission on Migration and Health; President, EUPHA Section Migration and Ethnic Minority Health

Peru: Dr. Valerie Paz Soldan, Research Associate at the School of Public Health and Administration at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima & Associate Professor in the Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

13:50-14:15    Discussion in moderated break-out rooms: “Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities in health?”

14:15-14:30    Report from break-out rooms, summary and closing

Prof. Terje Andreas Eikemo, Leader of Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Session organizer and resource persons

Moderator/session organizer: Paul Richard Fife, Director for Global Health, Education and Human Rights, Norad

Discussants:

Jeanette Magnus, Director, Centre for Global Health, University of Oslo

Prof. Terje Andreas Eikemo, Leader of Centre for Global Health InequalitiesResearch (CHAIN), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Ingvild Fossgard Sandøy, Professor, Centre for International Health; Deputy director CISMAC, University of Bergen

Ingeborg Haavardsson, Coordinator, Centre for Global Health, University of Oslo

Parallel session 2:  A global perspective on inequality in reformulating SDGs   

Abstract

In changing global circumstances, various forms of inequalities co-exist and intersect. These impact not only how the current pandemic unfolds but also indicate where emphasis may be put to establish pathways out of the current impasse. In this session, we will address how multiple dimensions of inequality—especially related to economy, social systems, politics, culture, environment and knowledge—may be successfully understood and addressed in order to prevent a future where (pandemics hit) vulnerable people, with few alternatives, are exploited. An overall aim is to produce, convey and discuss critical as well as actionable research on post-COVID-19 inequalities relevant for pursuing the SDGs. Drawing on cross-disciplinary work, we ask: 

Key questions

1. How can we, in a globally inclusive way, best mobilize knowledge and research about complex and intersecting inequalities? 
2. What are the current impediments to establishing globally relevant and inclusive ‘best practices’ and collaboration in research on inequalities, the sharing of knowledge and transformation? 
3. Which critical re-thinking and re-formulation of the SDGs needs to be undertaken in order to understand and tackle changing forms of inequality post-COVID-19? 
4. Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities? 

Programme and participants

13:00-13:10    Introduction

Bjørn Enge Bertelsen, Global Research Programme on Inequality (GRIP), Bergen

13:10-13:20    “Continuums of violence: Perspectives on intersecting inequalities”

Rachel Sieder, Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social (CIESAS), Mexico City

13:20-13:30    “Decolonising SDGs and the need for alternative ontologies”

Divine Fuh, Humanities Institute for Africa, University of Cape Town

13:30-13:40    “The Sociality of Inequalities”

Sundar Sarukkai, India Centre for Society and Policy (iisc.ac.in)

13:40-14:00    Discussion organized by moderator

14:00-14:30    Opening for questions from chat, interaction with digital participants

14:30               End of session

Session organizer and resource persons    

Moderator /session organizer: Bjørn Enge Bertelsen, GRIP

Discussant: Prof. John-Andrew McNeish, Norwegian University of Life Sciences. 

Secretary: Elina Troscenko, Global Research Programme on Inequality (GRIP) 

Parallel session 3: Integrated and Inclusive SDG City Transitions in the Global South

Abstract

Cities in the global south are fast becoming the main context for human life and constitute the primary battleground for sustainable development and COVID-19. Recognizing global urbanization as a key context, how does highly unequal access to housing, services, and citizenship present challenges that need to be addressed to achieve integrated inclusive and sustainable city transitions? What are different possible policy directions to address urban inequalities and what knowledge gaps exist? Finally, what is the role of educational and research institutions in supporting integrated and inclusive SDG city transitions in the Global South?

Key questions

1. Which critical re-thinking and re-formulation of the SDGs needs to be undertaken in order to understand and tackle changing forms of inequality post-COVID-19?
2. Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities?

Programme and participants

13:00-13:10    Introduction: Rolee Aranya, NTNU

13:10-13:20    Presentation 1 – Renu Khosla, Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence

13:20-13:30    Presentation 2 – Shuaib Lwasa, Makerere University

13:30-13:40    Presentation 3 – Salim Rouhana, World Bank

13:40-13:50    Presentation 4 – Faranak Miraftab, University of Illinois

13:50-14:20    Discussion organized by moderator Hilde Refstie, NTNU.

14:20-14:30    Summary: Marianne Millstein, OsloMet

14:30              End of session

Session organizer and resource persons  

Session organizers: Hilde Refstie, Rolee Aranya, Stig A. Larssæther and Annemie Wyckmans, NTNU

Moderator: Hilde Refstie, NTNU

Discussant: Marianne Millstein, OsloMet

Secretary: Marcin Sliwa, University of Oslo

Parallel session 4: Indigenous Peoples’ Capacity to Act for Sustainability

Abstract

The well-being of indigenous people depends on healthy ecosystems and resilience to climate-related extremes and other shocks and disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Indigenous peoples are doubly affected in the sense that factors such as poverty, literacy capacity, access to health care, and gender inequality affects their capacity to act adequately for sustainability. The focus on sustained economic growth in the face of the pandemic lock-down also renews conflicts between development projects and indigenous communities.  The need for a continued focus on indigenous peoples’ land and resource rights, as well as their capacity to take political action and participate in knowledge production, including adequate access to knowledge and education, is thus more important than ever. A central goal for the session is to discuss how the SDGs can be reformulated to address these issues.

Key questions

1. Which critical re-thinking and re-formulation of the SDGs needs to be undertaken in order to understand and tackle indigenous peoples’ capacity to act for sustainability?
2. Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing indigenous peoples’ in the post-COVID-19 context?

Programme and participants                                                       

13:00-13:05   Introduction by Camilla Brattland, UiT – the Arctic University of Norway

13:05-13:10    Artistic contribution

Ms. Risten Anine Kvernmo Gaup 

13:10-13:20    “Sustainability and Indigenous Peoples post-covid- 19”

Ms. Christina Henriksen, President, Saami Council

13:20-13:30    “Indigenous peoples’ literacy capacity and sustainable development”

Professor Anders Breidlid, OsloMet

13:30-13:40    “Capitalism, mining, and inequality: who’s sustaining who?”

Charles Roche, Murdoch University, Centre for Responsible Citizenship and Sustainability, Australia 

13:40-13:50    “Uranium mining and the myth of ‘clean energy’: Rehabilitating Ranger Uranium Mine, Australia”

Dr. Rebecca Lawrence, Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney, and Stockholm Environment Institute.  

13:50-14:30   Discussion in Árdna, the Sámi cultural venue at UiT – the Arctic University of Norway

Participants:

• Mrs. Aili Keskitalo, President of the Norwegian Sami Parliament
• Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed Larry, Master of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies, UiT
• Ms. Eva Marie Fjellheim, PhD fellow, Centre for Sami Studies, UiT
• Mr. Knut Marius Uddu Skjerve, advisor, UN Association of Norway
• 14:30   End of session

Session organizer and resource persons   

Session organizer and discussant: Camilla Brattland, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway and Anders Breidlid, OsloMet

Moderator: Torjer Olsen, Head of Department at the Centre for Sami Studies, UiT – the Arctic University of Norway

Parallel session 5: Social justice, sustainability and the SDGs: What role for economic growth?

Abstract

Is infinite economic growth in all countries, qualified by adjectives such as ‘sustainable’ and ‘inclusive’ (SDG 8), one of the ‘bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path’ (SDGs, preamble)? Or is it a distraction away from the fundamental questions of transformation and redistribution necessary for achieving a safe and just world for humanity (Leach, Raworth and Rockström, 2013)?

            The Human Development Report, originally a reaction to the limiting monetary approach of measuring countries’ success through Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has come under criticism of not engaging with the ecological limits of our planet (see e.g. Hickel, 2020). In 2020, a new version of the report has come out where it for the first time engages with the natural world, leading to a degrading of countries like Norway, while no countries occupy the space for states that are successful both in terms of environmental protection and human development. What role is there then for economic growth in the further discussion of how to achieve a sustainable future?  What will the transition to sustainability require of us as global humanity? And is there an ‘us’ or are we – as scientists and scholars in the privileged and so unsustainable part of the world – defining yet again what is the way forward for everyone?

Key questions

1. How can we, in a globally inclusive way, best mobilize knowledge and research about complex and intersecting inequalities?
2. Which critical re-thinking and re-formulation of the SDGs needs to be undertaken in order to understand and tackle changing forms of inequality post-COVID-19?
3. Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities? 

Programme and participants: 

13:00-13:10    Welcome

Beate Sjåfjell, University of Oslo

13:10-13:30    ‘Social justice in a post-pandemic world with (still) decreasing natural resources’

Associate Professor, Dr Sarah Cornell, Stockholm Resilience Centre

13:30-13:40    ‘Vulnerability and resilience’

Professor Louis Kotzé, Faculty of Law, North-West University, South Africa

13:40-14:20:   Discussion

14:20-14:30    Concluding reflections

14:30               End of session

Session organizer and resource persons  

Moderator/session organizer: Beate Sjåfjell, University of Oslo

Discussant: Giulia Testa, ERASMUS exchange student at University of Bergen

Parallel session 6: How does inequality post-COVID-19 affect Coastal Communities?

Abstract

The past few years have shown great global focus on ocean issues. The High-level panel of sustainable Ocean Economy, the Our Ocean Conference and, not least UN Decade of Ocean Science are important expressions of this. As important as the world’s oceans are for the globe and a growing global population, we must also keep in mind the people living of and by the sea. This session will focus on inequality in distribution of ocean wealth within and among coastal communities, and on inequality in access to data among northern and southern universities.

            COVID-19 have forced us to rethink and stimulate a transformation process. We therefore need to search for opportunities for blue stimulus. One way can be investing in Costal and Marine Ecosystem Restoration and protection. This can in the short term, mean creation of new jobs. How can we use the effect of this disaster as a trigger to create more resilient nations and solutions than before?

Key questions

1. Which critical re-thinking and re-formulation of the SDGs needs to be undertaken in order to understand and tackle changing forms of inequality post-COVID-19?
2. Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities in health?

Programme and participants:

13:00-13:05    Welcome: Lise Øvreås, University of Bergen

13:05-13:10    Introduction to panel: Ragnhild Overå, University of Bergen

13:10-13:20    “To what extent will we see inequalities both between and within countries becoming increased as a result of the Corona outbreak?”

Mr. Fe`iloakitau Kaho Tevi, Consultant to the governments of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands

13:20 -13:30   “How will post-COVID-19 affect small-scale fisheries globally?”

Professor Ratana Chuenpagdee, Memorial University of Newfoundland

13:30-13:40    “In a post –Covid world, lessons in living must come from the Ocean”

Professor John Kurien, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, India and WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia

13:40-13:50    “Global Capasity for Ocean Sceince & Data post COVID-19”

Professor Director Sheila Heymans, European Marine Board

13:50-14:10    Discussion with all speakers, organized by moderator Professor Ragnhild Overå, University of Bergen

14:10-14:30    Opening for questions from chat, interaction

14:30               End of session

Session organizer and resource persons  

Session organizer: Lise Øvreås, University of Bergen

Moderator: Ragnhild Overå, University of Bergen

Discussant: Marine Director Amund Måge, University of Bergen

An opportunity to catch up with other conference participants or to visit the special SDG poster session.

The conference addresses how diverse inequalities can be understood, challenged and engaged in a post-COVID-19 light. From various perspectives, six parallel sessions probe this issue and its impact on the 2030 agenda. Approaching this from diverse perspectives, six commentators will bring the main conclusions and key points into a joint debate following these sessions. Such a panel debate will revolve around two questions:

1. What are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities?
2. Drawing on the parallel sessions, which critical re-thinking and re-formulation of the SDGs needs to be undertaken in order to understand and tackle changing forms of inequality post-COVID-19?

Participants:

• Session 1:  Professor and Leader of CHAIN Terje Andreas Eikemo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
• Session 2:  Professor John Andrew McNeish, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) 
• Session 3:  Researcher Marianne Millstein, OsloMet
• Session 4:  Associate Professor Camilla Brattland, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
• Session 5:  Student Giulia Testa, ERASMUS exchange student at University of Bergen
• Session 6:  Marine Director Amund Maage, University of Bergen