It is well known that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs are intended to be a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The SDGs provide a framework for countries, businesses, individuals, and civil society actors to work towards a more sustainable and just world, and they highlight the interconnectedness of the many social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the world today.

Social justice (generally understood as relating to fair and just relationships between individuals and society, including equal distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges) is a key component of the SDGs, as they seek to promote inclusive societies that leave no one behind. Social justice involves promoting equality, addressing inequalities, and reducing the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. The SDGs seek to achieve social justice by promoting economic growth and development, reducing poverty and inequality, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and clean water and sanitation, and promoting gender equality and social inclusion.

Overall, promoting inclusive communities is essential for achieving the SDGs and promoting social justice. By taking measures to increase access to education, healthcare, clean water, and economic opportunities, and by fostering social cohesion and community engagement, protecting human rights, and addressing discrimination and inequality, we can create a more just and sustainable world for all.

The conference will include both keynote panels (by invitation), panels organized by the consortium’s working groups, as well as presentations by civil society groups and community-based organizations.

ATTENTION: The conference had to be moved to 02-03 April 2024.

Interested in participating in the conference?

Paper submission is closed. The RISC-RISE 2024 conference, hosted by the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg, will take place in hybrid format. If you would like to attend as listener online, please complete this form and we will send you the Zoom link in due course.

The deadline for the submission of paper proposals is 31 May 2023. All proposals should be sent to ririorgsa@gmail.com including

1. Proposed paper title
2. Author name(s) and contact information
3. Author affiliation(s) and position(s)
4. A 100-200 word abstract
5. The name of the panel for which the paper is being propose

Papers presented at the conference can be submitted for publication in the RISC-RISE Consortium’s peer-reviewed journal Regions & Cohesion.

Conference Costs

The RISC-RISE Consortium provides accommodation and conference meals for participants affiliated with the consortium’s member institutes in good standing or with individual membership. Accommodation will be at the Future Africa campus. Non-affiliated scholars must pay for their own accommodation as well as a 150 Euro (roughly R2900) conference registration fee. International travel is the responsibility of conference participants.