TEIKYO SDGs Top InterviewWisdom opens the doors to development
――All gathered wisdom opens up a new future ―― OKINAGA Yoshihito, chairman and president
Creating the future
The SDGs include 17 goals and 169 targets, each with its own set of indicators, and the set of challenges covers all sectors and regions of the world. Since each of these indicators are macro indicators, many people in the industrial world and those of us in the general public may wonder how to express them in actions. We believe that the SDGs consist of two essential elements. The first one is development: to never turn our consciousness back to the past, but rather show the value of creating the future. The second one is sustainability. With this word, the concept of "development" takes a completely different direction. It means creating a different kind of sustainable society by mobilizing all the wisdom that humankind has accumulated to this day. In Newton's saying, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." It is said to mean, "What I have seen would not have been visible if I had not stood on the accumulation of great predecessors from the past." In order to achieve the SDGs, I think it is important to first understand the wisdom that humankind has accumulated.
SDGs' Background
The history of human development in modern times is also the history of energy and scientific technology. In particular, the Industrial Revolution in England 150 years ago is considered to have caused dramatic progress in human society. The application of steam power and technological innovation by machine shops have progressed, and the state of society has changed dramatically. Since then, humankind has been making good use of new energies for society, starting with coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power. After the two world wars in the first half of the 20th century, a peaceful era arrived in the 1950s and full-scale high economic growth began. At the same time, economic development and environmental problems increased, and in 1962 Rachel Carson published "Silent Spring," a masterpiece of environmental science. In Japan as well, between the 1950s and 1970s, many pollution diseases were born and social awareness increased. It can be said that it is around this time that the consciousness that the earth is infinite is transformed into the consciousness that it is finite. After that, due to changes such as globalization in the 1990s and the information-oriented society in the 2000s, human society has gained completely new possibilities. There is always energy in this history, and at the same time, there was a premise that "development" would be realized by linking the progress of innovative science and technology with economic success. However, around the 2000s, the increase in natural disasters such as climate change and various big data showed that such development was not sustainable. The impact is not limited to changes in the environment. Disparities in all aspects of society, including rich and poor, developed and developing countries, cities and regions, are widening imbalances. It is significant that the SDGs organize such a wide range of complex issues by goals, targets, and indicators.
The future of Teikyo University
Thinking about it in this way, the very existence of a university that encompasses the wisdom of mankind, from natural sciences and humanistic philosophy to cutting-edge fields such as mathematics and engineering, and deepens it while conducting research and connects it to the next generation, is SDGs-like in its very existence. It can be said that We also recognize the importance of further strengthening our actions in the future. Since its founding in 1966, Teikyo University has upheld "Practical learning," "International perspectives," and "Open mindedness" as Educational Guidelines. It will be difficult to achieve the goals of the SDGs unless they are capable of acting powerfully while acquiring logical thinking through practical Practical learning. Universities attract a wide range of human resources, including working adults. There is always someone here who will create a new future. On the other hand, over-indulgence in protectionism, which is said to be intensifying in the modern world, can encourage exploitation and inequality. Having International perspectives and Open mindedness leads to accumulating rich communication with an awareness of overall optimization while respecting equality, and drawing a path to a new future. That is why, even in these difficult times, School Philosophy of Teikyo University remains unwavering. Rather, I am convinced that it will be sublimated into a spirit that produces actions that match the gist of the SDGs.
"Better" to the world
In a nutshell, the society that the SDGs envision can be summed up as a "better world". In order to make it better down to the smallest detail, it is essential to listen to many voices, acquire wisdom, and act with care and strength. Our world, our nations, and our societies have been shaped by a complex history, and for all of this to be integrated and immediately improved in the future, we must implement radical changes or the global and social environment will deteriorate irreparably. It also means that it will continue to deteriorate irreparably. Our society is at a crossroads. From the response to the massive natural disasters caused by climate change, to the social changes caused by epidemics such as the coronavirus, to the way our economy will develop in the future, solutions will require the cooperation of the entire world. As a statement of intent in these times, we at Teikyo University will focus on different initiatives, with the results of our diverse research at the forefront, based on the theme of "actions to make society better" accumulated within the university. We will carefully foster it as a place filled with seeds for the creation of a sustainable society.
