Newcastle University and Women in Sustainability launch project to amplify women’s voices ahead of COP26
Newcastle University has joined forces with Women in Sustainability Network as part of the project, ‘Amplifying Women’s Voices’ and the role of women change-makers in the climate change debate, supported by the University’s Engagement and Place Fund.
29 July 2021
The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women and their paid and unpaid work. Unequal representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles at COP26 will have a negative impact for the future narrative and framing of the climate change agenda. In this pivotal year for tackling climate change, a practical means to enable women to progress in their careers and businesses focussed on tackling climate change and delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals is essential.
The project aims to provide a voice for women change-makers, providing a timely platform to highlight what is needed for a green recovery, post-pandemic and ahead of COP26. There is a need to understand what working women need now to continue their development for themselves and for the planet.
The first phase of the project consists of an international survey ‘Amplifying Women’s Voices’ to capture the voices of women who are working across all three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. Through sharing their thoughts and experiences, women will be making their mark at such a critical time.
.png)
Our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Newcastle University is recognised as a global leader of sustainable development in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021, a global performance table that assesses universities against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University ranks 15th in the world and 3rd in the UK for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as top 5 in the world for responsible consumption and production.
The Business School’s Executive Education programmes offer a unique opportunity to link individual development with the SDGs. Executive MBA Programme Director and Women In Sustainability Newcastle Hub Lead, Dr Jenny Davidson, explains “We do this initially through an exploration of individual values and purpose alongside an exercise to help individuals understand the SDGs before creating a tailored plan to each individual”.
Our range of full fee Executive Education Scholarships are created for the next generation of responsible leaders who can demonstrate their potential to have a positive, sustainable impact on society.
Focussing on gender equality
Currently the UK COP26 leadership team is dominated by men. Equal representation of women is vital for the leadership team and for the climate change agenda. The systemic failure to hear women’s voices and allow their equal representation matters because, when women are equally present as decision makers, the planet, its people, and places achieve better outcomes.
Be one of the #1000voices by taking part in the ‘Amplifying Women’s Voices’ survey here