Multidisciplinary Education in Furtherance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Session Type: Workshop Programs

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The Northwestern Access to Health Project (ATH) is an interdisciplinary global community health initiative that brings law, public health, and business faculty and graduate students together with communities and NGOs around the world to address critical global health challenges that cannot be resolved from a singular siloed perspective. ATH was selected as an exemplary case study by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for incorporating SDGs into teaching. A creative and iterative approach helps groups produce substantive solutions to shared global challenges as defined by the SDGs. Over the years, students have been able to tackle multiple SDGs, including SDG 3 good health and well-being, SDG 5 gender equality, SDG 6 clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 affordable and clean energy, SDG 8 decent work and economic growth, SDG 13 climate action, and SDG 16 peace, justice, and strong institutions. Working across multidisciplinary teams has allowed students to engage in research activities for real-world impact, distribute solutions, and mitigate potential negative impacts on the target countries/communities. The groups then collaborate with stakeholders to reach policymakers, international bodies, and/or civil society groups to share research findings and implement solutions that support the SDGs around the world. The aim of this 90-minute workshop will be to determine if clinicians are incorporating the SDGs into their courses and if not, brainstorm on ways for them to do so. We hope to form breakout sessions reflecting multidisciplinary teams and replicate the ATH model. The session will start with an introduction to the ATH model and philosophy using examples of our work. We will spend the remaining time thinking through how to incorporate the SDGs into coursework.