University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) assumes pivotal role in historic UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES signing ceremony at Paris headquarters

UWTSD took centre stage in Paris this week (Monday, 29 January) for the ceremonial signing of the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Terms of Reference at UNESCO’s headquarters.

Gustavo Merino, Director of Social Policy, UNESCO;  Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director General for UNESCO Social and Human Sciences sector; Luiz Oosterbeek, President of the International Council of Philosophy and Human Sciences (on the screen); Steven Hartman, Founding Executive Director of BRIDGES and member of the Humanities for the Environment Board of Directors.

BRIDGES, a global sustainability science coalition organised within UNESCO’s Management of Social Transformations Programme (MOST), positions the humanities at the forefront of sustainability research and projects worldwide.

This milestone marked the commencement of the next operational phase and long-term governance of the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition. This development reaffirms BRIDGES as a prioritised UNESCO global programme in integrated, humanities-led sustainability science for the coming decade.

Prof. Steven Hartman, Founding Executive Director of the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES global coalition, was on hand to endorse the Terms of Reference. The Executive Director oversees both the Flagship BRIDGES Hub at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory of Arizona State University and the Global Secretariat of BRIDGES at UWTSD and thus the role is anchored at both institutions. Prof. Hartman joined UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General Gabriela Ramos and the leadership of the Management of Social Transformations Secretariat to formalise the BRIDGES Terms of Reference at the ceremony. Following the signing, Prof. Hartman expressed his enthusiasm:

“The signing of the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Terms of Reference marks a defining moment in the coalition’s development and the implementation of the BRIDGES mission. This step confirms the commitment of the global community to leverage the wealth of the humanities in realising sustainable societies.”

Reaffirming the key role UWTSD proudly plays as home of the Global Secretariat of the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition, Professor Elwen Evans, Vice-Chancellor at UWTSD, highlighted the significance of the ceremony:

“This ceremony not only solidifies UWTSD’s pivotal role in BRIDGES but also strengthens the growing partnership between UWTSD, UNESCO, ASU and all the leading institutions supporting BRIDGES’ regional hubs globally. We are fully committed to advancing and developing this work further and contributing to the global objectives set by UNESCO and the Governing Council now convening as a direct outcome of this momentous step.

As the BRIDGES Coalition embarks on its next chapter, UWTSD remains dedicated to driving positive change through innovative research and collaborative efforts.”

Further Information

Arwel Lloyd

Principal PR and Communications Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email:  arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467076