The ECU-sponsored SEVENTEENx event brought together industry, academia and members of the community.
Western Australian business leaders and members of the Perth community came together last week, for a key sustainability event sponsored by Edith Cowan University.
Supported by ECU's School of Business and Law and ECU's new City Campus (currently under development), SEVENTEENx featured keynote speeches from industry leaders, to offer attendees insights into how individuals and organisations can work towards creating a positive impact on the world.
Professor of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Gabriel Eweje was one of the experts chosen to speak on how they're contributing to delivering the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Professor Eweje said the 17 goals require the combined attention of business, government, NGO's, the academic sector and the community in order to move closer towards solving the global climate change and environmental degradation crisis.
"The world's biggest problems cannot be solved by working in silos: it requires collaboration and partnerships," he said.
"These challenges are too big and too important to tackle alone — multi-stakeholder partnerships are the catalyst to achieve the SDGs."
He noted university academics play an important role in ensuring future graduates are equipped with the skills to advocate for change within businesses.
"We develop the skills, knowledge and values needed in the global workforce, and for students to contribute to society," Professor Eweje said.
Businesses that do not demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, he highlighted, will be at risk of missing out on top graduate talent given today's students place significant importance on protecting the environment.
"If a company is greenwashing, they will be caught out by young graduates," he said.
"Students are aware of what businesses should be doing to be responsible, as compared to a long time ago when no one really understood what that meant."
Held at the Small Business Development Corporation, the event – founded by management consultant Mick Hase – was one stop on SEVENTEENx's 2023 national tour, which aims to inspire people to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Other speakers at the event included Kambarang Services CEO Jonathan Ford, Deloitte Director of Sustainability and Climate Change Celia Hayes, and ClimateClever founder Dr Vanessa Rauland.
Professor Eweje noted events such as SEVENTEENx were important platforms for all members of the community, particularly as concerns mount around the world being significantly behind schedule on achieving the UN's SDGs by 2030.
"Organisations like SEVENTEENx are doing a good job in ensuring the SDGs aren't forgotten," he said.
"We shouldn't miss the opportunity to solve these problems, because if we don't, we don't know what's next.
"But it should just be the beginning of the conversation."
