Sustainable economic growth and decent work are key challenges for a sustainable society. In order to develop innovative solutions for these issues, the UniNEtZ project (Universities and Sustainable Development Goals) has been established in Austria. This interdisciplinary network brings together numerous universities and research institutions to develop practical concepts for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A particular focus is on SDG 8 - Sustainable Economic Growth and Decent Work.
What is UniNEtZ?
UniNEtZ was created to bring together science, politics, business and society and to jointly develop options for sustainable development in Austria. More than a dozen Austrian universities and numerous partner organisations are involved in the project. The idea behind it: Research should not remain isolated, but should provide concrete recommendations for action for sustainable social and economic change.
The UniNEtZ (Universities and Sustainable Development Goals) project is an innovative alliance of scientists and artists from 23 partner institutions in Austria. Together, they are developing options for implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
Participating institutions:
- Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- University of Applied Arts Vienna
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
- University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
- University of Vienna
- University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
- GeoSphere Austria
- Karl-Franzens-University Graz
- University of Music and Performing Arts Graz
- Graz University of Technology
- University of Applied Sciences Salzburg
- Mozarteum University Salzburg
- University of Salzburg
- Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck
- Medical University of Innsbruck
- University of Teacher Education Tyrol
- Alpen-Adria-University Klagenfurt
- University for Continuing Education Krems
- University of Leoben
- Climate Change Centre Austria (CCCA)
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- Austrian Research Foundation for International Development (ÖFSE)
- Austrian Students' Union (ÖH)
- Green economy: Promotion of companies that focus on renewable energies, resource conservation and the circular economy.
- Social innovations: Development of working models that support equality, fair wages and work-life balance.
- Digital transformation: research into the opportunities and challenges of automation and artificial intelligence for the world of work.
Sustainable economy and social responsibility
One of the central themes of UniNEtZ is the question of how sustainable economic growth can be combined with social justice and environmental awareness. As part of the project, studies, innovation workshops and dialogues with decision-makers are conducted in order to develop new economic models, fair working conditions and future-oriented employment strategies.
In many traditional economic models, growth is often at odds with ecological and social sustainability. UniNEtZ is therefore researching new approaches that can combine both. These include
Education and knowledge transfer for sustainable work
A key aspect of UniNEtZ is knowledge transfer. Universities work closely with companies, political decision-makers and civil society to make research findings usable in practice. Not only economic aspects, but also social and ecological factors are taken into account.
The initiative shows that sustainable management is not just a vision, but can be a realisable reality - if science, business and society work together on innovative solutions.
A pioneer for a sustainable economy and fair labour
UniNEtZ makes Austria a model country for sustainable economic growth and decent work. The close link between research and practice makes it possible not only to develop sustainable strategies in theory, but also to implement them in practice.
With its interdisciplinary approach, UniNEtZ actively contributes to ensuring that economic success, social responsibility and ecological sustainability go hand in hand.
