Remembering the SDG Conference in Bergen 2025
The 8th SDG Conference in Bergen put health, climate and sustainability on the agenda through both "Day Zero" with a number of digital events, and a physical conference in the University Aula with engaging discussions and interactions.
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«As universities, we have a responsibility to show how education and research-based knowledge is part of the solution to the critical transformation that our planet is depending on», said rector Margareth Hagen as an introduction to the 8th anual SDG Conference in Bergen on the 6th of February.
This year the conference put a highly relevant focus on the critical interconnections between climate and health in turbulent times. The conference kicked off on the 5th of Februrary with "Day Zero", where the opening session raised the question of how to meet the eroding trust in science and spread of disinformation.
The session included a presentation of the biggest study ever done on trust in science, led by Dr Viktoria Cologna from the University of Zürich. The rest of the day was filled with digital parallel sessions on topics such as education for energy transition, climate activism and women empowerment.
– We need a new world order
The physical conference included 4 sessions where the first session gave an overview on the complex interconnections between health, people and planet today. Editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal, Kamran Abassi, gave an honest and alarming talk on the global situation.
– The world is facing a horrible, toxic situation with imperalistic propaganda and misinformation. We need a new world order and create places where people can go for trusted knowledge. Norway can be the focus of that new order, Mr. Abassi suggested.
The editor-in-chief was followed by a talk from Silje Wangberg, Professor of Public Health at The Arctic University of Norway. She spoke about the "one health"-perspective, illustrated by the Sami view on health as a unit of body, mind and spirit.
See video from the 1st session here.
Connecting human health and climate
The 2nd session included a thought-provoking speech from Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head of the Climate Change and Health unit in the World Health Organization. For instance, he pointed out that 45 % of young people between 16-25 report that climate change has a negative impact on their daily functioning.
– Climate change is now central to to the global health agenda, he emphasized to illustrate how the connection between human health and the climate is on the rise.
See video from the 2nd session here.
In the 3rd session, focus was put on collaboration across sectors and countries to advance health. Among the interesting speakers were Eduardo Samo Gudo from the National Institute of Health in Mozambique and Guri Rørtveit, Director General at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
See video from the 3rd session here.
Young voices on Norway's role
The last two sessions of the day were held in Norwegian, as it was now time to discuss Norway's global role and what can be done to achieve sustainable health in turbulent times.
The panel was represented by several young voices, including leader of the Norwegian Student's Union, Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak. She made it clear that it's important not to loose hope, although a lot of things is looking dark and seems to be going the wrong way.
– I fear that the young generation might lose their engagement if we only talk about what's not going right, she pointed out. She also emphasized the importance of having global access to education and critised the reduction in educational aid.
Nature as medicine
Doctor and journalist Hanne Lossius reminded everyone about the devastating situation for people in Gaza, and called for Norway to collectively stand up against what is going on in the world.
The young panelists were also asked to give their hopes and visions on how the world looks in the year 2050.
Matilla Berger from the Norwegian Doctors for Planetary Health called for General Practioners to use the nature as a "prescription", and reminded that all medicines have side effects.
– A more healthy population will also reduce the emissions from the health care-sector, she highlighted.
After a closing-speech from Vice-Rector Benedicte Carlsen at UiB and rector Astrid Sinnes from The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, the conference was wrapped up with an impressive vocal performance by Sami artist Inna Márjá Amundsen.
See video from the 4th and 5th session.
