Muhammad Faisal Sharif, Doctoral Researcher,  University of Bath.

Journey to Utrecht

My journey to the GlobalGoals2024 Summer School and International Conference on Sustainability Governance started on August 25, 2024, as I traveled from Bath, United Kingdom, to Utrecht, Netherlands. It was my first traveling through Europe by train, and the experience was truly remarkable. I boarded the Eurostar at St. Pancras International in London, eager to see the landscapes of France and Belgium from the train. As we crossed into the Netherlands, I felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. Our first stop in the Netherlands was Rotterdam, a city known for its modern architecture and vibrant atmosphere. I took some time to explore Rotterdam, impressed by its unique blend of contemporary buildings and historical charm. After a brief city tour, I hopped on a train for the short 35-minute journey to Utrecht, looking forward to an exciting week ahead.

By the evening, I had reached Utrecht and checked into a hotel in the city center, just a five-minute walk from the train station and equally close to our Summer School and Conference venue at ‘Janskerkhof,’ Utrecht University. The hotel provided a comfortable and convenient stay, making it a pleasure to walk between the venue and back each day.

A Week of Learning and Engagement

The GlobalGoals2024 Summer School brought together 26 researchers from 17 countries, all united by a shared commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability governance. The week kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Professor Frank Biermann, setting the tone for a series of engaging sessions. We participated in various formats, including Lectures & Dialogue, World Café, Lightning Talks, Writeshops, and Futures Thinking Workshops. These sessions offered valuable insights from leading academics and practitioners.

The subsequent two-day international research conference, with over 150 delegates from around the world, provided an in-depth look at cutting-edge research on sustainability governance. I had the privilege of presenting my first PhD paper, titled “Empowering Sustainable Futures: Energy Justice and SDG 7 in Pakistan. This was made possible by the invaluable support of my supervisors. I am also grateful to researchers and senior academics who attended my presentation and provided valuable feedback on my work.

Attending the impactful presentations of Dr. Yixian Sun on “Science-Policy Interaction for Sustainable Development” and Dr. Aurelie Charles on “Differentiation and Dynamization of the SDGs” deepened my understanding of SDG implementation. I also want to highlight Margarita Gómez’s strong advocacy for the Global South and David Obura’s inspiring creativity in his session on ‘The Role of Science and Knowledge.’ The diverse perspectives shared by fellow participants in parallel sessions further enriched the experience.

University of Bath’s Centre for Development Studies (CDS), the key partner of the conference, co-hosted the memorable reception on the first evening. During the event, Dr. Yixian Sun, Associate Professor in International Development and Chair of CDS, delivered an insightful speech, encouraging participants to collaborate more closely in pursuit of a sustainable future. This gathering greatly contributed to the collaborative spirit of the conference.

One of the highlights of the week was representing the exceptional group of summer school participants in the Final Plenary of the Conference. it was both an honor and a responsibility for me. I presented our collective vision and emphasized the need for greater inclusivity in policymaking. This includes ensuring meaningful participation from poor and marginalized communities to better align policies with the needs of the people and the SDGs. I also took the opportunity to highlight the critical importance of climate financing for Global South countries like Pakistan to achieve equitable and sustainable futures.

Exploring Dutch Culture and a Quick Stop in Brussels

Beyond the academic and professional engagements in Utrecht, I had the chance to explore the vibrant Dutch culture. The city is known for its beautiful canals and extensive cycling as the main mode of transportation, lunch here is quick and light. The city’s lifestyle aligns well with our conference theme of sustainability. Utrecht stays lively late into the night, with clean streets and a warm, welcoming, and safe atmosphere. The friendly and helpful people made my stay even more enjoyable. I also had the chance to visit Amsterdam, a city rich in history and beauty. Wandering through its historic buildings and picturesque streets was a delight. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience to visit a country that I only knew as our (Pakistan) hockey rival when I was a kid (Era of Floris Jan Bovelander, Netherlands, and  Shahbaz Ahmed, Pakistan).

On my return journey on August 31, I made a brief stop in Brussels, Belgium. The city, with its unique charm, provided a contrasting experience to the Netherlands. While English was less commonly spoken, the people were kind and helpful, eager to assist despite the language barrier. A personal highlight was discovering a Pakistani restaurant where I enjoyed some delicious desi food before heading back to London /Bath.

Looking Ahead

Overall, this journey was transformative. The diversity of perspectives, the depth of academic engagement, and the rich cultural experiences significantly enriched my understanding of sustainability governance. It also provided me with the opportunity to network and build long-term connections with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the globe who attended the conference. Many of these individuals share similar research interests, and we plan to continue exploring avenues for collaboration and exchanging ideas and knowledge to work toward a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Thanks to the Organizing Team

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the exceptional organizing team from Utrecht University’s GLOBALGOALS Project (Fronika de Wit, Mara Wendebourg, Guilherme de Queiroz Stein, Yi Hyun Kang, and Michele Joie Prawiromaruto) and passionate volunteers whose tireless efforts made this possible. Their proactive communication and warm hospitality truly enhanced the event.