”Global challenges require global collaboration”
International challenges such as pandemics, climate change, biodiversity loss or learning crisis require continuous collaboration with universities in the global South. The UN Sustainable Development Goals have put the global challenges in a novel way in the agendas of Finnish Universities.
”It is a pleasure to lead UniPID in such a situation where the significance of global cooperation is widely acknowledged in the Finnish Universities. Collaboration in Africa, Asia or Latin America does not anymore depend on a few interested individuals, but is part of institutional goals”, says Associate Professor Tiina Kontinen who was selected a chair of the UniPID board on the 10th February 2021.
A network of nine Finnish Universities advocates for the inclusion of global responsibility and Global South perspectives in research, education and societal impact.
“Currently, there are multiple new initiatives revolved around global responsibility and collaboration with global South in the Finnish higher education field. These initiatives open excellent possibilities. UniPID’s almost 20-year experience is certainly valuable in designing and implementing new modes of collaboration”, Kontinen continues.
”Personally, I would like to emphasize the importance of global South, not only for global responsibility but also for the quality of research. It is not feasible to think that the scientific knowledge concerning global challenges could exclude the environment, societies, experiences and resaerchers of the majority of humankind and the globe”, Kontinen reflects.
The Finnish University Partnership for International Development: https://www.unipid.fi/
Tiina Kontinen is Associate Professor in International Development Studies at the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with researchers from the global South, especially from Africa.
Currently she leads CS-LEARN research consortium funded by the Academy of Finland DEVELOP- programme, in collaboration with the University of Oulu, Makerere University in Uganda and University of Dodoma, Tanzania. She also coordinates the International Master’s Degree Programme for Development, Education and International Cooperation (DEICO).
Further information:
Tiina Kontinen, +358404856718, tiina.t.kontinen@jyu.fi
Communications Specialist Anitta Kananen, tel. +358 40 8461395, anitta.kananen@jyu.fi
