Theme page

SDG Conference NTNU 2027 Theme
Global Co-existence: Rethinking sustainability in a fractured world

The theme of the National SDG Conference 2027 hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) 8-9th February is Global Co-existence. It invites critical reflection on the conditions, contradictions, and possibilities for sustainability collaborations across borders, cultures, and knowledge systems in a world increasingly marked by polarization and fragmentation.

Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, the global landscape has changed dramatically. Geopolitical tensions, resurgence of armed conflict, rising authoritarianism, and the weakening of multilateral institutions have undermined the foundations of international cooperation. At the same time, the climate crisis and biodiversity loss continue to escalate, disproportionately affecting communities with the least historical responsibility and the fewest resources to respond. These developments raise pressing questions about whose voices and interests shape global sustainability agendas, and how workable strategies can be developed in a world where shared goals are contested, and collective action is increasingly difficult to sustain.

The concept of global co-existence offers a lens through which to rethink sustainability, not as a universal blueprint, but as a negotiated and relational endeavor. It invites us to ask: What forms of togetherness, cooperation and shared futures can be built to address our planetary emergency, in a world shaped by deep inequalities, competing priorities and shifting power? Addressing this question requires rethinking how sustainability agendas are shaped and examining the historical and structural forces, along with the vested interests, that sustain global inequalities. Central to this process is foregrounding perspectives from countries, regions, and peoples long underrepresented in international forums, despite their demographic weight, ecological importance, and key role in shaping future solutions. Against this backdrop, the conference will explore: how can a sustainability agenda beyond 2030 be developed and sustained in ways that are responsive to diverse experiences, interests and epistemologies?

theme image collage: refugees boarding a train, technology and power-illustration, indigenous people herding reindeer
Foto: Mostphotos

Key areas of focus include:

  • Rethinking global sustainability:
    How can sustainability agendas reflect diverse histories and priorities, especially those of the global south/majority world? What responsibilities do different actors have in tackling global challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to inequality and poverty? And how can these responsibilities be turned into actionable solutions? This theme explores alternative models of cooperation that confront colonial legacies and structural inequalities, considers differentiated responsibilities, and explores ways for those most affected to shape and drive global agendas.
  • Indigenous futures and ecological justice:
    How can sustainability agendas be implemented in ways that learn from Indigenous knowledge and ways of being, thinking and doing? And how can this be done in ways that respect Indigenous rights, avoid reproducing colonial burdens, and co create reconciliation initiatives? What role can Indigenous knowledge play in shaping transitions, and how can it be integrated without appropriation or tokenism? This theme explores tensions and possibilities that arise when Indigenous sovereignty and knowledge systems intersect with state-led or global sustainability initiatives, both at a global scale and within the context of the Sámi people in Norway.
  • Technology and society:
    Technological innovation is essential for addressing sustainability challenges, but technology alone cannot deliver the transformations required. How can innovation be driven by environmental and social priorities rather than market profit or geopolitical competition? This theme explores the responsibilities of researchers, industry, and policymakers in developing technologies that serve collective and global well-being. It asks how technological innovation can work alongside political choices, governance frameworks, and public engagement to ensure that it supports broader social and ecological transitions.

Structured over two days, the conference will bring together high-level dialogues and public engagement, aiming to facilitate critical conversations and build transformative alliances. In a time of fragmentation and contestation, the framing of Global Co-existence offers a space to imagine sustainability as a plural and situated practice, one that acknowledges difference, negotiates conflict, while seeking common ground in the face of planetary crisis.

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