Three photos of UC Davis including eggheads, an overview of the water tower and the UC Davis international center, AIEA logo and UC Davis Global Affairs logo

AIEA Thematic Forum 2024

Integrating the SDGs in Comprehensive Internationalization Strategies: Approaches for Research, Teaching and Engaging Communities 

AIEA Thematic Forum

University of California, Davis
April 11-12, 2024

Higher education institutions play an important role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many universities are seeking ways to increase their contributions to the shared global goals. Yet, in an era of uncertainty for higher education institutions, it can be challenging to develop comprehensive, intentional, and transformative approaches to this ambitious global agenda. 

This Thematic Forum will provide a unique space for universities to discuss the exciting opportunities to integrate the SDGs in ways that strengthen the university mission and impact. The forum will address the strategic-level issue of how to integrate the 2030 Agenda through university internationalization efforts, specifically through research, teaching and engagement with communities. The forum will feature leaders who are championing novel approaches from UC Davis, other universities and the local community.  

The forum will explore:  

  • What approaches and structures can universities use to integrate this agenda?
  • What role can international offices play in advancing SDGs, including through partnerships on campus and with communities?  
  • How can universities embed the SDGs across research, teaching and engagement with communities to increase positive impact locally and globally?

Benefits to participants

  • Creation of a community of practice among participant SIOs and international offices working to advance the SDGs through research, teaching and community engagement. 
  • Identification of an initial network of potential on-campus partners and community partners for SIOs and international offices to collaboratively advance the SDGs. 
  • Construction of a draft strategy focused on research, teaching or engaging communities that promotes the integration of the SDGs into advancing internationalization. Participants will identify action steps to take back to their home campuses. 

Registration

Registration fee is $75.

Senior International Officers (SIOs), international educators, faculty, researchers and administrators from other universities are invited to attend. Participants are not required to be AIEA members.  Space is limited.  

Register to Attend

Agenda 

Thursday, April 11, 2024

  • 8:30-9:00 a.m. Check-in: coffee, tea and light morning refreshments
  • 9-10:00 a.m. Opening Session
    • Speakers 
      • Welcome: Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean, Global Affairs, UC Davis
      • Gary S. May, Chancellor, UC Davis
      • Jeet Joshee, Immediate Past-President and 2025 Conference Chair, AIEA and Associate Vice President, International Education and Global Engagement, California State University, Long Beach
      • Ronaldo Costa Filho, Ambassador, Consulate General of Brazil
      • Arturo Condo, President, EARTH University
  • 10:00-10:45 a.m. Aligning Research Agendas with the SDGs 
    • Speakers
      • Moderator: Michael Lazzara, Associate Vice Provost of Academic Programs and Partnerships, Global Affairs, UC Davis
      • Estella Atekwana, Dean, College of Letters and Science, UC Davis
      • Lorne Whitehead, Director, HIBAR Research Alliance, University of British Columbia
      • Majdi Abou Najm, Associate Professor, Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis
      • Laura Van Auker, Associate Clinical Professor, Betty Irene Moore School of
        Nursing, UC Davis
  • 10:45-11:00 a.m. Break
  • 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Breakout discussions and report back
  • 12:15-1:45 p.m. Lunch and Fireside Chat: Campus Partnerships to Advance the SDGs 
    • Speakers
      • Moderator: Mary Croughan, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, UC Davis
      • Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean, Global Affairs, UC Davis
      • Jonna Mazet, Vice Provost, Grand Challenges, UC Davis
      • Renetta Tull, Vice Chancellor, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, UC Davis  
      • Carla Fresquez, Interim Director of Sustainability, UC Davis
  • 1:45-2:15 p.m. Break
  • 2:30-3:15 p.m. Incorporating SDGs into Teaching and Learning  
    • International Center Conference Room 3119
    • Speakers
      • Moderator: Nancy Erbstein, Associate Vice Provost of Global Education, Global Affairs, UC Davis
      • Michael Bradford, Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Education, UC Davis
      • Hilary Landorf, Assistant Vice President, Global Learning Initiatives, Florida International University
      • Li Tian, Professor and John E. Kinsella Endowed Chair in Food, Nutrition and Health, Plant Sciences, UC Davis
  • 3:15-3:30 p.m. Coffee Break
  • 3:30-4:15 p.m. Breakout discussions and report back
  • 5:15-6:30 p.m. Reception

Friday, April 12, 2024

  • 8:45-9:15 a.m. Coffee, tea and light morning refreshments
  • 9:15-10:00 a.m. Partnering across Campus and Community through the SDGs
    • Speakers
      • Moderator: Andrea Gaytan, Chief of Staff, Global Affairs, UC Davis
      • Victor Randall, Senior Planner/Project Manager, City of Sacramento
      • Asiya Bhaisaheb, Student, School of Veterinary Medicine, Knights Landing One Health Clinic, UC Davis
      • Beth Rose Middleton, Professor, Native American Studies; Yocha Dehe Endowed Chair in California Indian Studies; Associate Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, UC Davis
  • 10:00-10:15a.m. Break
  • 10:15-11 a.m. Student Leadership for the Global Goals
    • Speakers
      • Moderator: Jessica Fareri, Program Coordinator, Experiential and Intercultural Programs, Global Affairs, UC Davis
      • Sudikshya Bhandari, Global Education for All Fellow, UC Davis
      • Andrea Bizarro, Ted Bradshaw Engaged Student Scholars Program, Center for Regional Change, UC Davis
      • Becca Libby, SDG Intern(winter-spring 2024), Global Affairs, UC Davis
      • Daphne Condon, Climate Resilience Fellow, UC Davis
  • 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Breakout discussions and report back
  • 12:15-1:15 p.m. Boxed lunch and Strategy-building on SDGs in Internationalization
  • 1:15-1:30 p.m. Closing remarks and wrap up
  • 1:30-2 p.m. Walk to campus locations for optional outings
  • 2-4 p.m. Optional UC Davis campus site visits
    • UC Davis Student Farm
    • UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
    • UC Davis Robert Mondavi Institute for Food & Wine

Hotel

Aggie Inn 

Located in downtown Davis conveniently close to campus, and a 20-minute walk to the venue at the UC Davis International Center. 

Hyatt Place UC Davis 

Located on campus, close to downtown Davis, and a 20-minute walk to the venue at the UC Davis International Center. 

Airport Transportation

The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is just over 20 miles (32 km) from UC Davis, which can take between 25 minutes to an hour, depending on the time of day and traffic. 

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is just over 80 miles (120 km) from UC Davis which can take between 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic.

The Oakland International Airport (OAK) is just under 80 miles (120 km) from UC Davis which can take between 1 hour and 10 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic.

There are a number of ground transportation options from each airport depending on how much money and time you wish to spend, including the Davis Airporter (SMF/SFO), Lyft, and Uber, or other rideshares and public transit like Yolobus or Amtrak.

More Information

Jolynn smiles in a turquoise blue blouse in the International Center.

 

Jolynn Shoemaker

Director of Global Engagements
Global Affairs
jmshoemaker@ucdavis.edu