SDG Week archive

Saturday 20 September

Run into SDG Week in conjunction with Park Run and Sanctuary Runners

Time:  9.30am

Venue: University of Galway Park & Ride carpark 

Join us for a special Sustainability-themed Parkrun during SDG Week 2025, as University of Galway teams up with Sanctuary Runners and University of Galway Parkrun. This community-spirited event combines fitness, fun and sustainability, with free T-shirts for a number of lucky participants and light refreshments afterwards. All are welcome. Come run, walk or jog with us along our beautiful biodiversity trail and celebrate local action for global change. Sign up here. 

Monday 22 September

Green Flag raising ceremony. Have your say on the next Sustainability Strategy. 

Time: 12-2pm

Venue: Áras na Mac Léinn Foyer & The View

University of Galway has proudly secured its third An Taisce Green Campus Flag, a recognition of our ongoing commitment to sustainable practices on campus. We will mark this achievement with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a Sustainability Induction in the View; an important step for students pursuing the Sustainability Champion Digital Badge. The session will also be an opportunity to share your views and help shape the University’s next Sustainability Strategy by telling us what matters most to you. Refreshments and free pizza for all participants!

Guided walk along the Biodiversity Trail

Time: 3pm

Venue: Meeting at the Quadrangle Archway

Join Dr Caitríona Carlin on a guided walk along University of Galway’s Biodiversity Trail, exploring campus habitats—from riverbanks to herb gardens. Discover wildlife, learn about conservation, and connect with nature right here on our beautiful campus.

Commerce Students as Change-Makers

Time: 3-4pm

Venue: Taking place simultaneously in the Darcy Thompson theatre and Kirwan theatre

Lecture and discussion with Commerce students led by Dr Johanna Clancy, featuring a showcase of student work from AY2024/25. Poster submissions will also be on display in the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics throughout SDG Week.

Art Exhibition: Sara K Dunn: Portals to the Hazel Woods

Time: 6pm

Venue: Staff Club

Sara K Dunn is a Galway-based multimedia illustrator who recently completed her MFA in Art and Ecology at the Burren College of Art. Her exhibition explores the intricate worlds within the hazel woods of the Burren, a green space teeming with moss, lichen, and fungi.

Utilizing sustainable printmaking practices, her prints form portals that transport the viewer into the verdant hazel woods, capturing the essence of the complex ecosystems within. The jewel-like drawings are studies of minuscule fungi that can be found within the woodlands of the Burren, which hint at the mycelium networks that often weave through older forests, helping them thrive.

Organiser:  rod.stoneman@universityofgalway.ie 

Learn to Darn workshop

Time: 5-7pm

Venue: Meeting rooms 1&2 Áras na Mac Léinn

SDGs workshop with Concern Worldwide 

Time: 7pm

Venue: Mc Munn Theatre, Arts Science Concourse

A workshop focused on the SDGs hosted by Concern Worldwide in conjunction with the Lit &Deb Society and the Sustainability Office Student Internship Programme.  Free pizza on offer!

Tuesday 23 September

Water and Sustainability: Showcase of Sustainability Engagement fund projects 24/25

As part of SDG Week 2025, we are delighted to showcase the projects supported through the University of Galway’s inaugural Sustainability Engagement Fund, launched last November. With a focus on SDG 6 and SDG 14, all funded projects will be on display in the Library Foyer, highlighting the creativity, collaboration and action of our campus community in advancing the SDGs, as an active SDG Ambassador institution. Further information on the funded projects can be found here

Time: 1pm

Venue: Library Foyer

SU led Panel Discussion 'How can we make campuses more sustainable'

Time: 4pm

Venue: Meeting rooms 1&2, Áras na Mac Léinn

Economics of Climate Change and Valuing Nature

Time: 4-5pm

Venue: AC202

A talk for 2nd year Arts students, presented by Professor Karyn Morrissey as part of the  module  entitled ‘Economic Ideas’.

Wednesday 24 September

Calm Zone

Time: 10-5pm

Venue: Bank of Ireland Theatre

Roots and Shoots: Donation of Garden Seeds, Plants and Organic Vegetables to University of Galway Gardens for the Gaisce and ALIVE Project Launch

Time: 11.30am

Venue: Herb Garden outside Moffetts, Orbsen Building 

Presentation of basket and photo with students receiving a donation of seeds from Gaisce - the President's Medal with free fruit for students to come along and learn about Gaisce. Thank you to Molly Hickey, Environmental Awareness & Sustainability Officer with the SU who will receive the donation on behalf of students. Gaisce will share a few words about their new student programme for all students to join in - Roots and Shoots!

The workshop series "Roots and Shoots" are focused on global citizenship skill-building. Ever curious about being an ally, why do we need the SDGs, or the root issues behind them? ALIVE is joining up with Gaisce and Student Volunteer Ireland to welcome University of Galway students to join in and explore volunteering and community action locally to make a difference with international communities. We will be holding online international symposiums with student volunteers in the global south and building our connections, skills and knowledge. Funded by Irish Aid there will also be residential conferences in Ireland to meet fellow student volunteers. To sign up for your Gaisce medal visit this link. To explore volunteering opportunities see here. 

Sustainability Strategy Roadshow

Time: 11am, 12noon, 2pm

Venue: Various venues across campus (Friars, Smokies, Moffetts)

We are currently developing the University of Galway’s next Sustainability Strategy, and we want to hear your views on what it should look like. As part of our consultation, the Sustainability Office will host drop-in tables in Friars (11am), Smokey’s (12noon) and Moffetts (2pm), giving students and staff the chance to meet the team, share ideas, and help shape the strategy. Your input is vital in deciding the priorities and actions that will guide our sustainability journey for the next five years. Join us and have your say. 

Volunteering Fair

Time: 12-4pm

Venue: Bailey Allen Hall

Community Engagement in the Engagement Office are delighted to host almost 40 charities and community partners in the Bailey Allen Hall on Wednesday 24^th September from 12pm to 4pm All welcome to attend, it is a great opportunity to find out more about the work of these groups and celebrate partnership for the goals with us.  Please contact Dr Ann O'Brien community@universityofgalway.ie for more information.

Screening of 'Hidden Depths'

Time: 12.15pm

Venue: O'Donoghue Centre

We're pleased to invite you to the screening of Hidden Depths, a community film capturing the philosophical thinking of communities connected to Westside Library in Galway. In this project, the role of water in language and philosophy became a way to think about our relationship to natural resources and how we can think about the world through other perspectives. Using the Community of Philosophical Inquiry, classes and intergenerational groups worked together to explore philosophical ideas and important questions in May and June of this year. The finished film by Galway artist, Emma Zukovic captures this thinking journey through images and audio from the project and its participants. 

Screening will take place at 12.15, Wednesday 24^th in the O’Donoghue Centre.

Participants from the project will join the project team for a first look at the film (15minutes) and some short thinking activities from the project.

This project was led by Dr Michela Dianetti and delivered with Dr Lucy Elvis and PhD candidate Chiara Li Mandri from the AIRE Research collective (Discipline of Philosophy), with the help of PhD candidate Nicola Bozzi and undergraduate student Geoffery Whitty. The project was developed in partnership with Galway City Libraries and was funded by the University of Galway Sustainability Office. 

 Matamaitic don Inbhuanaitheacht - an Irish-language Mathematics for Sustainability module

Time: 1pm

Venue: CELT seminar room AMB1006 

This transdisciplinary module was introduced in  AY24/25 under the University's project to promote Irish within STEM. Available to Irish, Science, Maths and Education students, it introduces  techniques for modelling and analysis, nested in a sustainability context.

This talk, organised by Fintan Hegarty,  shares an overview and some fun graphs from the module, and describes novel pedagogical approaches to catering to diverse mathematical backgrounds.

Eco-anxiety Café

Time: 1-3pm

Venue: Bridge Room

'Galway Cycling Campaign - a method for improving cycling in Galway' followed by 'The importance of Sustainability and SDGs in Accounting and Finance' 

 Time: 3-4pm

Venue: Online

An online presentation by Dr Dmitry Brychkov to first year Commerce students about the Galway Cycling Campaign and the methodologies used for improving cycling in Galway. Sophie Sweeney will then speak to The importance of Sustainability and SDGs in Accounting and Finance. Sophie was recently named 'Chartered Star 2025' by Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), in recognition of embedding sustainability and the UN SDGs into accounting, finance and tax education and for her work  in the University Tax Clinic.

SDGs & Tea

Time: 7-9pm

Venue: Meeting Room 1, Áras na Mac Léinn                                     

Thursday 25 September

Charting Our Future Direction - Shaping Energy and Climate Solutions for Generations

Time: 9.30am-2pm 

Venue: Aula Maxima (Ground Floor) - Michael D Higgins Auditorium

You are invited to the Ryan Institute thematic review session on Energy and Climate Change Research - Shaping Energy and Climate Solutions for Generations’. The aims of this event are to spotlight our strengths in the Energy and Climate Change research space, explore knowledge gaps and key priorities for us all moving forward. This is an interactive half-day workshop open to all researchers (at all career stages, across the university) who are involved, or have interests, in Energy and Climate Change research. Lunch afterwards. Registration is required. Click here to register now.

Data Science Institute hosts SDG themed flash research talks

'How data science is driving meaningful SDG related change'

Time: 12.30 -1.45pm

Venue: Data Science Institute (H91 AEX4)

DSI / Insight "Tintreach Talks" showcase how data science research at University of Galway is driving meaningful, real-world impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For full details of the programme, please see the attached document SDG Talks DSI

Seminar:  Beyond Sustainability: Education for Intergenerational Responsibility in an Era of Reckonings.  Speaker Sharon Stein, Associate Professor and Professor of Climate Complexity and Coloniality in the Department of Educational Studies at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Time: 5pm

Venue: Online and in-person discussion in the CELT seminar room (AMB1006)

Sharon will present online and an in-person discussion with attendees will be facilitated by  Dr. Su-Ming Khoo (School of Political Science and Sociology) in the CELT seminar room (AMB1006). Talk hosted by CELT+EDI - all welcome.

Registration and further information link here:

https://forms.office.com/e/U3JSnuF3Y5

SDG Table Quiz

Time: 7pm

Venue: Corrib Room, Sult

Friday 26 September

Art Exhibition ADMIRATION HYPERBOLIQUE

Time: 11am

Venue: James Mitchell Geology Museum, Quadrangle

Come along and explore ADMIRATION HYPERBOLIQUE, an aesthetic response to a museum of scientific learning housing fossils, rocks and minerals which illustrates that nature is never, ever a miser. How does art get along beside these deep time specimens as they sit as curious from the 19th century? 

Artist Fionnuala Quinn and Dr Alessandra Costanzo will be available to offer a guided tour. 

Beach Clean

Time: 12noon

Venue: Meeting outside Áras na Mac Léinn

Saturday 27 September

Monday 16 September

11am          

J.E Cairnes School of Business and Economics SDG Mapping Project Website Launch, Sustainability Reporting Update and poster exhibition

Hybrid event

Venue: Room CA110 Whitaker Room, Cairnes Building and posters in the Foyer of Cairnes Building

Online: https://universityofgalway-ie.zoom.us/j/93929878721 

J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics are delighted to welcome Dr. Richard Manton Director of Sustainability at University of Galway to launch the SDG Mapping Project Showcase website. We invite anyone with an interest in the SDGs to join in the conversation. Our aim is to use the website to support new conversations about key themes and explore how we can create more impact: one of the key aims of the website is to facilitate new collaborations, and this event aims to discover potential routes in this regard.

As a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), we will take the opportunity to share our progress and reporting requirements regarding the SDGs and sustainability.  Tea and coffee served.

Please Register here

Open to all

The School of Business and Economics will also showcase the impactful work of our students through an SDG Poster Exhibition in the foyer of the Cairnes Building from Monday to Thursday of SDG Week.                                                               

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1-2pm

SDG Walking Tour

Meet at the Quadrangle Archway for a walk along the SDG Trail. Tour guides will speak about the University's contributions to each of the 17 SDGs with examples of projects and living labs.

Open to all

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1.30pm

What is the importance of diverse perspectives in narrating the climate crisis?” 

Venue: HRB G010

Speakers are Su-Ming Khoo (Galway), Tina-Karen Pusse (Galway), Nora Ward (Galway), Marco Caracciolo (Ghent - Belgium)

Open to all

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2pm

Eco-Café

Eco-Café is a judgement-free, confidential space wherein people can attend to voice their worries on the ongoing Ecological Crisis with others 

Venue: An Gairdín Sosa (next to the Chapel)

Student only event

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3pm

Transforming knowledge and research for just and sustainable futures: Towards a new social imaginary for higher education

Venue: THB-G011 Seminar Room (Hardiman's building). 

Speaker: Prof. Leon Tikly, University of Bristol

This presentation considers why it is important to transform knowledge and research for just and sustainable futures and discusses the role of higher education in these transformation processes. The paper sets out how knowledge, research, and knowledge systems can be understood and critiques knowledge hierarchies that have emerged in the context of colonialism, leading to the marginalisation of the knowledge systems and languages of the colonised. It is argued that there is a need to create new ecologies of knowledge that value and develop synergies between ‘all of the archives of the world’ and that can revitalise and expand the knowledge commons and contribute to more just and sustainable futures. Higher education has a pivotal role to play in the creation of new ecologies of knowledge and a revitalized knowledge commons through promoting socially and ethically engaged research, the decolonization and reorientation of university curricula and pedagogy to foster sustainable futures, and the democratization of universities to better represent historically marginalized groups. Underpinning this role must be a shift from a Western modernist social imaginary of higher education to one based on a new planetary consciousness.

Prof Leon Tikly is a UNESCO Chair in Inclusive, Good Quality Education and Global Chair in Education at the University of Bristol. He also co-directs the Centre for International and Comparative Education (CIRE) in the School of Education. A key focus of his work is education in low-income countries and, in particular, countries in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Open to all

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5.30pm

Biomaterials in Artistic Practice

Venue: Burren College of Art

Registration: Spaces are limited. Please email Eileen Hutton at ehutton@burrencollege.ie

This is a hands-on workshop that will provide you with introductory knowledge on how to create bio-based objects and materials. Participants will learn practical methods for creating biodegradable "resins" and "plastics." Experimenting with gelatin, agar-agar, everyday kitchen items and waste streams such as single use plastic, we will create a variety of alternative artistic materials.

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Tuesday 17 September

12-1pm

Sustainability planning in construction: How your company can support the Sustainable Development Goals

Booking: https://www.engineersireland.ie/Events/event/9979-Sustainability-planning-in-construction-How-your-company-can-support-the-Sustainable-Development-Goals

Free webinar hosted by Construct Innovate, Ireland’s National Research Centre for Construction Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with Engineers Ireland West. In this session, speakers will examine how your company can support the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaker 1:  Dr Richard Manton, Director of Sustainability, University of Galway: “Overview of SDGs and how you can embed within an organisation”

Speaker 2: Brett Chrystal, Head of Sustainable Design at D|RES Properties: “D/RES Properties - SDG Implementation Strategy”

Speaker 3: Tom Lindsay, SDG specialist, ACT, 'Accelerating action for the SDGs'

Professor Jamie Goggins will also provide an overview of the aim of the webinar series and this module.

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1-2pm          

Exploring the potential of an "Active Travel Network" at the University

Zoom link: : https://universityofgalway-ie.zoom.us/j/98279529305?pwd=ufKe5c9r7CCEJLqqMLUIVXxaRtcEG8.1

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4-5pm

Concern-led SDG focused workshop

Venue: CELT Seminar Room (AMB1006), first floor of the Arts Millenium Building

The workshop we will explore what the SDGs are and how individuals can make sure they are doing their part to help progess the Global Goals.

Open to All

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6.30-8pm

Engineering a sustainable transport system

Venue: ENG-G018, Alice Perry Engineering Building

Open to all, however, booking is required: https://www.engineersireland.ie/listings/event/9974 

Galway’s transport system is unsustainable. The city is heavily car dependent and drivers lose 73 hours per year in congestion, the third highest in Europe behind London and Paris. However, a range of engineering initiatives are planned or proposed to improve the sustainability of Galway’s transport system and that of the wider West Region.

This free-to-attend event by the Engineers Ireland West Region and University of Galway will feature the Galway Transport Strategy, Very Light Rail, Galway to Oughterard Greenway, and sustainable transport research and teaching. The audience will hear engineering speakers from Galway City Council, Gluas, AECOM and University of Galway.

There will also be a showcase of University of Galway student entries to the Smarter Travel Student Awards and a number of awards will be presented on the night.

Topics and speakers:

• Galway Transport Strategy overview – Frank Clancy, Senior Executive Engineer, Galway City Council
• Gluas: Very light rail for Galway – Murt Coleman, Gluas for Galway Committee
• Galway to Oughterard Greenway Development – John Holmes, Technical Director Transportation at AECOM Ireland
• Sustainable mobility teaching and research at University of Galway – Dr Myra Lydon, Lecturer in Civil Engineering

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Wednesday 18 September

9am-5pm

Climate on Culture conference

Venue: Aula Maxima, Quadrangle

Climate on Culture is the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora's 2nd annual 2024 global conference in Galway, Ireland.  It is co-hosted with TG4, University of Galway, and Atlantic Technological University

The aim of this conference is two-fold:

• Bring together a network of a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders, partners, and key participants in an immersive and cultural experience to #LearnDiscoverExplore the impact of climate on culture in broad and specific diasporic contexts; and
• Create a platform for exchanging ideas and igniting conversations and collaboration beyond the conference scope.

​Day 1 (Wednesday) is dedicated to providing participants with a deep dive into foundational research tied to our conference theme, providing a shared understanding and grounding of participants. Conference sessions will be held at the University of Galway.

University of Galway students and staff can register free of charge at: Registration | 2024 Climate on Culture (Ireland) | Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (idahomid.org)                                                       

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10am to 11am 

Coffee and chats: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals

Venue: Alexander Anderson Boardroom 

Open to students and staff

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11am-5pm

Sustainability @ Socs Day

Venue: Bailey Allen Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn

Let us know your sustainability priorities to be in with a chance to win a spot prize

Open to all                                                               

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11am

STAND marketplace & Change Clothes Second hand clothes sale

Venue: outside Áras na Mac Léinn

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12.30pm

University of Galway launches a flagship sustainable lab project 

Venue: Chemistry Room 231, Arts Science Concourse

The Buildings & Estates team at University of Galway in collaboration with Careys Building Contractors, STW Architects and SBCS in the College of Science and Engineering have delivered a state-of-the-art new sustainable chemistry lab upgrade within the Arts Science building.

This project helps the University in its drive to achieve the SDG goals - especially those related to Quality Education (SDG4) Clean water and Sanitation (SDG6), Clean Energy (SDG7) Sustainable Consumption and Production (SDG12) and Climate Action (SDG13).

Join us on Wednesday the 18th to learn more about this project and hear from those involved.

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12.30 - 2pm

How data science is having a positive impact on SDGs. 

Venue: Data Science Institute (DSI), Dangan Business Park (H91 AEX4)

DSI researchers will present lightning talks on how data science is having a positive impact on SDGs.

All welcome.

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1pm

JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics Information session on the establishment of a Student Sustainability Committee

Venue: CA239d (Collab Room in Biz Hub) 

Join the University of Galway Student’s Union Environmental and Sustainability Officer Peter O’Neill with Dr. Johanna Clancy and Dr. Ann O’Brien to hear about student led sustainability initiatives at University of Galway. Share your ideas on sustainability and find out how you can contribute to new student led initiatives in the School and across the University. Please register here.

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3-5pm

An introduction to Global Citizenship Education

Venue: Áras Uí Chathail (AUC G002)

Speakers: Vicky Donnelly, Financial Justice Ireland (FJI) & Sadhbh Breathnach, World Wise Global Schools (WWGS)

Open to all

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7pm

Student panel discussion on sustainability

Venue: Small Acoustic Room, Áras na Mac Léinn

The panel will explore all the ways that students can get involved in helping promote sustainability on campus. 

Student only event

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Thursday 19 September

11.15-11.45am

Going Green for Financial Wellbeing webinar

Venue: in person or online via MS Teams (Meeting ID: 354 609 051 770, Passcode vLcU5W)

This Bank of Ireland webinar for employees of University of Galway will give an overview of:

• What is Financial Wellbeing and the connection
• Climate change - the global income, what is being done, how Ireland fares
• 4 key areas to consider (Food, Plastic, Air, Energy)
• Practical waste reduction

Please join us on the day or alternatively, to book a one-to-one appointment in advance, please contact us via the below:

Web: www.bankofireland.com/universityofgalway 

SMS: Free Text BAW to 50365                                                                

*                                                                                                                                                         

12pm

Education for the SDGs

Venue: CELT Seminar Room (AMB1006), first floor of the Arts Millennium Building

Speakers: Dr Alma Clavin & Dr Elizabeth Hurley

Open to degree programme leads only

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1-2.30pm

Strengthening Access and Inclusion: Higher Education's Engagement in Social Mentoring – Roundtable Discussion

Venue: The Bridge Room,1st Floor, Hardiman Research Building

Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/2MvGrhvdeA.

Please note registration is limited and will be processed on a first come first served basis. 

Equity of access to higher education is a global objective, with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 setting a target of ‘equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university” by 2030 (UN, 2015). In Ireland and internationally, mentoring has emerged as a key intervention to support students in accessing, participating, and progressing in their journey to and through higher education. Mentoring in this context can be understood as a process that facilitates someone with lived experience (mentor) to provide guidance, support and knowledge in a way that allows another person (mentee) to thrive over time (Brady et al, 2024). 

This lunchtime event to share experiences and ideas regarding how HEI’s can support mentoring for social inclusion.  Key questions to be discussed will include:

• How have HEI’s engaged with social mentoring programmes?
• What are the key benefits and challenges associated with Higher Education engagement in social mentoring for HEI’s and community partners?
• How can we strengthen the capacity of Higher Education Institutions and community partners to support social mentoring?

Panellists include: 

• Dr Celia Keenaghan, Education Mentoring Co-ordinator, ATU / West / North West Cluster
• Mary Lynch, Mentoring Manager, Foróige
• Oscar Prieto-Flores, University of Girona, Spain
• Dr Lorraine Tansey, Studentvolunteer.ie Programme Manager

This event has been organised by Dr Bernadine Brady & Dr Charlotte Silke, UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, as part of University of Galway SDG week and the Ment4EU consortium meeting.  Ment4EU – Mentoring for Social Inclusion in Europe: Sharing Knowledge and Building Capacity is a three-year project that aims to ensure that higher education can keep abreast of the growing significance of social mentoring in policy and practice across nations. Ment4EU is funded by Erasmus + KA220-HED and led by a consortium of universities from Austria, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain.  Please contact Bernadine.brady@universityofgalway.ie for further details.

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7pm

SU Sustainability Quiz

Venue: The Hub, Áras na Mac Léinn                                                                

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Friday 20 September

8am

International Conference on Sustainable Development 2024

Online

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-conference-on-sustainable-development-icsd-2024-tickets-902676338227

Join the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), in collaboration with the Global Association of Master’s in Development Practice Programs (MDP), for the 12th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD). The theme of this year's ICSD is “Solutions for the Future,” with participants sharing practical solutions for achieving the SDGs at local and national levels across 7 major themes. More details on the themes of the parallel sessions can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-conference-on-sustainable-development-icsd-2024-tickets-902676338227                             

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1pm

Guided biodiversity walk of the University of Galway campus grounds

Meeting at the Quadrangle Archway to walk the Biodiversity Trail.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a University campus rich in biodiversity. This campus trail is designed to guide you through our natural habitats, which are often also used for teaching and research.   

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1pm

JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics Play Test of NetZero Ireland Simulator Game Test

Friars computer suite (Room 105, Ground Floor of St. Anthony's Wing)

University of Galway is set to launch Ireland NetZero – a simulator game, which will feature as a module within the MSc in Sustainability Leadership at the University. During the coming Sustainability Week, you are invited to take part in testing the concept of the Ireland NetZero simulator. Throughout the test, the players will analyse certain business and sustainability-focused decisions and try to cope with various sustainability challenges. Your recommendations on the game will be of great value. So, we would like to offer students the opportunity to test the elements of the NetZero Ireland simulator on Friday, Sept 20th, in the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, Friars computer suite (Room 105, ground floor of St. Anthony wing, please see the map) between 1 and 6pm.

As capacity is limited, this event is invitation-only. 

Further information on Ireland NetZero Simulator is available from dzmitry.brychkov@universityofgalway.ie

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6pm

Imagination and the Environment

Venue: An Dánlann - the University Art Gallery

Organiser: Prof. Felix Ó Murchadh, University Art Gallery

Booking required: https://culturenight.ie/event/imagining-the-environment-envisioning-ourselves-talks-workshops-and-late-opening-at-university-of-galway/ 

See here for other Culture Night Events in Galway: https://culturenight.ie/location/galway-city/ 

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Saturday 21 September

10am

Just 3 X SDG, Terryland Forest Park

Venue: ‘An Nead’ (Irish for ‘Nest’ & volunteer HQ), Terryland Forest Park entrance, Sandy Road, Galway City. Google Maps Link.

Join Tuatha volunteers of Terryland Forest Park in getting the park’s newest addition, a one thousand metre square size pond, ready. Activities on the day include compressing the soil (foot stomping – or make it a dance!), as well as moving plants from elsewhere in the park to be replanted on its raised banks. Register at ‘Just 3’ on https://yourspace.universityofgalway.ie/ (find the event by scrolling down the left bar).

Start your ‘Just 3’ journey.

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All week - STAND Student Festival exhibition

Monday 18 September

11.30am             

SDG Poster Presentation by JE Cairnes School of Business & Economics    

Reception Area, JE Cairnes School of Business & Economics           

Organisers: Dr Ann O’Brien and Dr Johanna Clancy           

Coffee & Poster viewing. Posters will remain in place for the duration of SDG week, Monday 18th September to Sat 23rd September  

Contact: johanna.clancy@universityofgalway.ie  & ann.obrien@universityofgalway.ie                                                                          

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3pm-4pm            

Action for the SDGs        

ALIVE Áras na Mac Léinn               

Organisers: Dr. Lorraine Tansey  

Workshop: Do you want to make an impact on environment, health, education, equality, and more? Join in this interactive workshop to meet your fellow students interested in action for the SDGs. Together we will make SDG button badges with our in-house badge maker.  Plus come along and hear all about the projects available to you, join the award winning Glassary programme, explore the options and get started on making a difference right here in Galway with community groups.              

Contact: alive@universityofgalway.ie   www.universityofgalway.ie/alive                                                                

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4-5pm  

Joint Webinar: The Implementation of the SDGs in Higher Education.  UN Academic Impact & UNESCO-ILEC Webinar   

Organisers: United Nations Academic Impact      

Webinar where pre-registration is necessary  https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/briefing-higher-education-and-implementation-sdgs        

Through the webinar we will showcase some recent initiatives developed to inspire, guide and support higher education institutions to increase their contribution to the SDGs. First, a set of guidelines for leaders of higher education institutions jointly developed by UNAI and UNESCO-IESALC will be presented. Then, a preliminary version of SET4HEI will be launched, a self-assessment tool developed by UNESCO-IESALC to improve how higher education institutions evaluate the contribution to the 2030 Agenda. In addition, a selection of good practices cases compiled by UNAI will be explained, showing outstanding contributions of higher education institutions to the SDGs. The webinar will include testimonies, from faculty, staff, and students and will conclude with a Q&A session.

Contact: john.caulfield@universityofgalway.ie                                                                  

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5pm-6pm            

EcoSprint: Designing a Sustainable Campus for your Future          

IDEAS LAB- Next door to Smokey’s Café on Main Concourse          

Organisers: Ideas Lab & University of Galway Students' Union      

Information Session: Are you a University of Galway student?  Would you like to develop ideas to address a sustainability challenge on campus? Be in with a chance to win €500 to put your solution into action.  Find out more at the EcoSprint Information Session in IdeasLab, taking place part of SDG week

Register for the Information Session.  Booking link:   https://acesse.one/EcoSprintRegistration

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Tuesday 19 September

11am -12.30pm

Sustainable Food Systems & the SDGs     

Aula Maxima Lower       

Organisers: Dr Anne Mullen, Sustainable World Section, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences              

Panel Discussion: A discussion on the challenges contemporary food systems pose to human and planetary health, technological innovations to address these challenges from the forefront of research, and the mechanisms for driving science into political decision-making on food. With experts from international development, food security, environmental engineering, marine resources, and policy development, we look to the SDGs as a framework for structuring food systems change and, importantly, we'll ask if all food systems actors have the appetite for change.

Register for this event.

Booking Link: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainable-food-systems-and-the-sdgs-tickets-709448127447?aff=oddtdtcreator

*   

12noon - 1pm

Construct Innovate Webinar on Sustainability Planning in Construction

Organiser: Prof Jamie Goggins in conjunction with Engineers ireland West

Open to ALL

Details: The webinar will be hosted on Zoom. You need to register for this free event  The webinar will include the following topics: What are the SDGs and how do they relate to design and construction in the built environment. Speaker: Prof Jamie Goggins, Director of Construct Innovate; Delivering Sustainable Infrastructure. Speaker: Conall Boland, Sustainability Lead, RPS; Build Up Skills Ireland 2030 national Roadmap. Speaker: Gloria Callinan, TUS Project Officer, Development Unit, Thurles campus.

Register for this event at Construct Innovate Webinar Series: Sustainability Planning in Construction (engineersireland.ie).

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12.30pm -2pm  

Lunchtime Lightning Talks - How Data Science is making an Impact on the SDGs   

Conference Room, Data Science Institute / Insight, IDA Business Park, Postcode  H91 AEX4  

Organiser: Brian Wall   

A series of 10min talks, Bring your own brown-bag lunch.             

Hear a series of talks covering projects that include SHAREPAIR; Translators without Borders: Sensing Air; Life Multi-Peat; WaterLANDS; and Mapping University of Galway's Research to SDGs     

Contact: brian.wall@universityofgalway.ie                                                                         

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1pm -2pm          

Land, Housing & the SDGs           

Máirtín O Tnuthail Theatre (AMB 1023)  

Organisers: Professor Padraic Kenna        

Lecture:Open to University of Galway Students and Staff

Contact: padraic.kenna@universityofgalway.ie                                                                 

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1pm -4pm          

SDGs @ First Year Societies Day 

Bailey Allen, Áras na Mac Léinn  

Organisers: Adam Mullins, founder of University of Galway Student Pantry             

Exhibition Stand: Are you a student interested in sustainability and the SDGs.  Hear from Adam Mullins , founder the Student Pantry, winner of the University of Galway Sustainability Leadership Awards at his Exhibition Stand as part of Societies Day.            

Contact: socs.universityofgalway.ie                                                                       

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5.30pm 7.30pm

ROAMing Citizen Science Workshop         

Location: IdeasLab            

Organisers: Dr Jessamyn Fairfield             

Workshop & Free Pizza: We are a team of University of Galway researchers running a project called 'We Built This City on Rock and Coal', which combines theatre, citizen science and sustainability workshops to empower people to take action on climate change. We want to test out potential citizen science experiments and would love to hear what you think. The workshop will run for maximum two hours and this work is approved by the University of Galway Research Ethics Committee.        

Contact: jessamyn.fairfield@universityofgalway.ie                                                                         

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7pm      

Students’ Union SDG Quiz Night, Corrib Room - Sult         

Organisers: SU Sustainability Officer, Molly Hickey            

Format: Quiz      

Wednesday 20 September

12pm -3pm        

SDGs @Clubs Day           

Venue: Kingfisher Sports Club     

Organisers: Adam Mullins             

Exhibition Stand: Are you a student interested in sustainability and the SDGs.  Hear from Adam Mullins , founder the Student Pantry, winner of the University of Galway Sustainability Leadership Awards at his Exhibition Stand as part of Clubs Day.                                                                              

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1pm -2pm          

Enter Net Zero with Deloitte       

Careers Seminar Room, Arts/Science Concourse   Briana Madden, Career Development Centre              

Employer Skills Event in Workshop format

Join Deloitte for a fun immersive workshop hosted by Deloitte’s World Climate Sustainability Leader Caitlin Flanagan! Take part in a game that will help you understand the challenges facing companies and investors as we move to a world of net zero. This event is run in association with the Career Development Centre’s Employability Award Sustainability Pathway              

You must register in advance on Careers Connect as places are limited                                                                 

*                                                                                                                                           

3pm -4pm          

Spotlight on the SDGs:  Commerce Students as Change Makers   

Kirwan Theatre & D'arcy Thompson Theatres - Main Campus       

Organisers: Dr Johanna Clancy & Dr Áine Ní Léime            

Interactive Awareness Seminar: Open to All First Year University of Galway Commerce (all Comm cohorts) Students              

Contact: johanna.clancy@universityofgalway.ie   ainenileime@universityofgalway.ie                                                                      

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5-6pm  

LIFT Leadership Facilitator Training           

Áras na Mac Léinn          

Organisers: Dr Lorraine Tansey   

Workshop: Grow your leadership skills in a small group and join the LIFT programme. You do not need to be in a particular role or have experience, LIFT is here to support you and give you a new opportunity – all welcome to join in! 

Registration required. Book at this link  https://www.universityofgalway.ie/student-life/campus-activities/leadership/ 

Thursday 21 September

Starting 9am Thursday 21 September

Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Summit  

Thomond Park, Limerick

Organisers: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and the Prevention and Early Intervention Network (PEIN)       

Summit: Aligned with SDG 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and the Prevention and Early Intervention Network (PEIN) are hosting a Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Summit in Thomond Park, Limerick on September 21st- 22nd. The PEI Summit will provide dedicated time and space for all those working in and/or with a keen interest in prevention and early intervention services for children, young people, parents , families and communities to come together, exchange ideas, hear inspiring keynotes, inputs and stories, and enhance the collective voice. Under the prevention and early intervention theme, Dr Carmel Devaney & Professor John Canavan from the University of Galway will help explore what PEI means, what it looks like in practice, why it needs to be prioritised, how it meets the needs of children and families and the direction it needs to take in Ireland. The event is co-funded by Tusla- Child and Family Agency and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) What Works initiative. 

Contact: carmel.devaney@universityofgalway.ie  or email summit@pein.ie to register   

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10am to 4pm     

FREE WEEE Recycling Day for batteries, electric and electronic waste        

Orbsen Car Park

Lead:  Lorraine Rushe            

WEEE Collection lorries parked at Orbsen Carpark            

Open to students, staff and members of the public       

Find out more:  lorraine.rushe@universityofgalway.ie                                                                    

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11am-12 noon  

The SDGs & my volunteer work experience          

Mairtin O’ Tnuthail Theatre         

Organisers: Megan Milne-Thompson        

Presentation and Discussion: The role of the SDGs in volunteer work undertaken in Mexico with E.I.L – Intercultural Learning.  EIL Intercultural Learning (EIL/AFS) is an Irish “not for profit” educational organisation which provides intercultural learning opportunities through study abroad, youth leadership.  Find out more at www.eilireland.org      

Contact: M.Milne-Thompson1@universityofgalway.ie                                                                   

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11.30am - 4.30pm         

Seed collection and Sowing event            

Meeting at the Park and Ride Carpark in Dangan        

Organisers: Dr Caitriona Carlin   

Open to ALL      

University of Galway students and staff along with industry partners will collect from plants with ripe seeds and sow them in the grounds of the new student accommodation area. There are biodiverse meadows on campus, some are classified as rare calcareous grasslands. The plan is to investigate the potential of creating new grasslands using plants nearby from the calcareous plots. Participants will receive a short talk and demonstration before being allocated to a team to collect seeds from specific calcareous grassland plants.      

Contact: caitriona.carlin@universityofgalway.ie    

Friday 22 September

11am – 3.30pm

Student-led Environmental Summit

The Cube, Áras na Mac Léinn

Organisers: Molly Hickey

The event includes workshops on environmental issues, a panel discussion and a presentation from Let’s Do it India.

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2pm-3pm

Speech and Language Therapy and The SDGs: Community and University Collaborations   

Venue: Room 225 Áras Moyola and zoom link https://universityofgalway-ie.zoom.us/j/94183812626?pwd=aHFvMHRXaDI5Z2FTYmV2STBkdFNrUT09    

This event aims to showcase a special issue publication by Speech Pathology Australia entitled Communication, Swallowing and the SDGs edited by Prof Sharynne McLeod and Prof Julie Marshall (International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (Volume 25, Issue 1).  The event will showcase the article by Dr. Clare Carroll, Ita Fitzgibbon and Mari Caulfield from the Discipline of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Galway. The event will include authors Dr. Clare Carroll and Ita Fitzgibbon, and Ita’s son Tom and they will share how their collaboration involved the SDGs.  

Contact: c.carroll@universityofgalway.ie                 

Saturday 23 September

10am - 1pm       

Just 3 X SDGs - Take part in our volunteer pledge     

An Nead (volunteer HQ), Terryland Forest Park, Sandy Road, Galway City. Google Maps Link.              

Organisers: International Office/Global Galway   

For SDG Week 2023, we are calling on all international students to take the ‘Just 3’ pledge and volunteer just 3 hours of their time with Terryland Forest Park. Join Tuatha volunteers of Terryland Forest Park on Saturday, 23 September at 10am for a morning of activities including planting fruit bushes, litter picking, removal of invasive species and hazelnut harvesting.This is a fantastic opportunity for international students to get to know Galway City and the surrounds, connect with the community, spend time in the outdoors and meet other students, as well as working towards the SDGs.   

Register at ‘Just 3’ on www.yourspace.universityofgalway.ie and start your ‘Just 3’ journey   

Contact: sorcha.nicaodha@universityofgalway.ie 

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11am - 1pm       

Guided Biodiversity and Heritage Walk of the University of Galway Campus Grounds         

Meeting at the Quad Archway, University of Galway to walk the Biodiversity Trail and surrounding trails

Organisers: Dr Caitriona Carlin in conjunction with An Taisce

Booking link:   https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/sdg-week-biodiversity-heritage-trail-guided-walk-tickets-717009283067?aff=oddtdtcreator         

Contact: caitriona.carlin@universityofgalway.ie 

SDG Week in Shannon College

To mark SDG week Shannon College of Hotel Management will launch its Sustainability Committee which will include staff and students.

Each 1st year student will be introduced to a new system installed in our practical production kitchens. We are delighted to partner with Positive Carbon affording our students the opportunity to see the latest developments in food waste tracking and management in operation. Positive Carbon provides customers with a system which autonomously monitors food waste and generates AI Powered insights accessible through a mobile or web app. This will create savings to food bills by reducing the quantity of food waste. Through analysis of the data students can identify problem areas and formulate solutions for surplus therefore reducing our food waste. This system underpins our commitment to sustainability within the college and the hospitality industry by exposing the managers of the future to best practice. 

Organiser:  Helena Doody, College Manager, Shannon College of Hotel Management