Sustainable Development Goals Conference: Day 2 Overview

On September 19, 2024, the second day of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Conference at MSU-IIT brought another series of insightful discussions, deepening the conversations around sustainability, education, and community development.

The first plenary session of the day featured Br. Dennis Magbanua, FSC of De La Salle Brother Hongkong Sector, St. Joseph’s College in Hong Kong. His talk, titled “Harnessing Human Relations for a Sustainable Development,” emphasized the importance of interpersonal connections and collaboration in driving sustainable outcomes—principles that CMC is dedicated to nurturing within its own academic community.

This was followed by an online presentation from Dr. Maria Carinnes P. Alejandria of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, who shared her insights on “She L.E.A.D.S.: Towards a Gender-Inclusive Approach to Sustainable Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Response in BIMP-EAGA.” Her message reinforced the value of inclusivity and gender-sensitive approaches, echoing CMC’s ongoing efforts to foster equality and leadership among its students.

The next plenary, delivered by Prof. Kent E. Carpenter from Old Dominion University in the United States, explored “Genetic Time Travel in Philippine Fishes.” Prof. Carpenter’s talk highlighted the role of biodiversity conservation in sustainability efforts, a topic relevant to CMC’s environmental initiatives.

The day continued with Concurrent Session 3, followed by a session from Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment. His presentation on “The Makings of the PBSAP 2040 and its Nexus with the SDGs” provided valuable insights into the intersection of policy, sustainability, and the Philippines’ long-term development goals.

The final plenary, led by Hannah Stoddard of Harvard University, focused on “Disability and Disaster: A Comparative Exploration of the Experiences of Filipinos with Disabilities and the General Population Before, During, and After Disasters.” This crucial topic emphasized the need for inclusive disaster preparedness, an area that CMC is committed to supporting through education and awareness programs.

The Round Table Discussion brought together experts like Dr. Mega Hidayati, JD. Usman D. Aragasi, MPA, Assoc. Prof. Melencio Jalova, and Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor to explore “Collective Action for a Sustainable Future: Addressing the Challenges of Implementing the SDGs.” The discussions underscored the need for coordinated efforts across sectors to achieve sustainable development.

The day concluded with a series of Concurrent Sessions, followed by the Closing Ceremonies in the MSU-IT Gymnasium. Assoc. Prof. Melencio C. Jalova, Jr., Director of the University Extension Service Center at MSU-Marawi, gave the opening remarks, and Prof. Rosario L. Reserva, Director of WE CARE, led the recognition and awarding ceremonies for institutional partners. The event closed with final remarks from Dr. Keno Jay Balogdog, Director of Extension at MSU General Santos, who expressed gratitude to all participants and reiterated the importance of continued collaboration to meet the SDGs.

CMC’s participation throughout this two-day event showcased its dedication to making a positive impact in the global community. As a dynamic institution, CMC is committed to fostering academic excellence and preparing its students to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development initiatives.

Related Goals 17