Activity 1

1a: Why is system thinking required to understand and implement sustainable

development goals?

Systems thinking is a powerful tool to addressing the complexity of the Sustainable

Development Goals( SDGs). It enables policymakers, businesses, and organizations to view
global challenges as interconnected rather than isolated. This holistic approach ensures that
efforts to achieve an SDG can simultaneously contribute to others, preventing unintended
negative consequences.
One of the main reasons systems thinking is important for understanding SDGs is its ability
to reveal the complexity between the goals. In particular, SDG 3(Good health and well-being)
is close to SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), as access to clean water directly affects public
health. Through systems thinking, stakeholders can identify these synergies and design
policies that enhance positive outcomes across multiple goals.
Moreover, systems thinking helps in identifying leverage points where small changes can
lead to significant improvements. Businesses can use this method to create more sustainable
solutions, such as by adopting the circular economy model, which promotes resource
efficiency and waste reduction (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production). This
approach not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also enhances economic
resilience and growth (SDG 8: Decent work and Economic growth).
By using systems thinking, organizations can also better understand trade-offs between
different goals. For example, the push for industrial development (SDG 9: Industry,
Innovation, and Infrastructure) must be balanced with the need to protect the environment
(SDG 13: Climate action). Therefore, systems thinking allows decision-makers to anticipate
these trade-offs and develop strategies that minimize negative impacts while maximizing
overall benefits.
In conclusion, systems thinking is essential for the successful implementation of the SDGs. It
helps stakeholders understand the complex interactions between different goals, identify
leverage points for positive change, and navigate the trade-offs that come with sustainable
development. By applying this approach, we not only improve our understanding of global
challenges but also create more resilient adaptable solutions to meet the needs of people and
the planet.

1b Based on the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and

environmental, give your concept/definition of a specific sustainable development issue.
For instance, sustainable fisheries, sustainable transport system development,
sustainable clean energy industry, sustainable university development, sustainable
logistics industry, sustainable ethnic minority community development, etc. Why are
you interested in this development issue?

Definition/ Concept: Sustainable university development

A sustainable university is an educational institution that aligns its operations, education, and
research with the principles of sustainable development, focusing on three key pillars:
economic, social, and environmental sustainability:
 1. Education: Empower global citizens for sustainable development Universities play a
vital role in shaping future leaders by offering Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs. A
sustainable university ensures its education system encourages students to become
global citizens who contribute to sustainable development, rather than passive
consumers. The curriculum must address social, economic, and environmental
challenges, offering collaborative, real-life learning experiences to prepare students for
future challenges.
=> UEH aims to train students to become global citizens for sustainable development, with
high-level skills and knowledge, aligned with the sustainability education goals of the
university.
2. Research: Discover answers to important social questions Academic research should
focus on addressing key societal problems such as climate change, economic
inequality, and world hunger. Ethical, environmentally responsible research methods
are essential. The distribution of research findings must go beyond academic circles,
ensuring that discoveries positively impact society and contribute to policies,
technologies, and solutions that benefit the global community.
=> UEH conducts research and consultancy aimed at addressing social and environmental
challenges and contributing positively to society, similar to sustainability-driven research in
other institutions.
3. Operations: Achieve a zero footprint for campus operations Sustainable universities
integrate eco-friendly practices into their infrastructure and daily operations. Energy-
efficient buildings, responsible procurement, and green laboratories are examples of
efforts to reduce environmental and social impacts. By implementing sustainability
standards and continuously improving operations, universities minimize their
ecological footprint.
=> UEH implements green campus initiatives, including waste sorting and environmental
protection campaigns, aligning with sustainability practices in university operations.
4. Community: Empower students and staff to act on sustainability A sustainable
university fosters a vibrant community that actively promotes sustainability through
student groups, extra-curricular activities, and staff involvement. This community acts
as a driving force for change, creating a culture of sustainability where students and
staff collaborate to advance green initiatives on campus and beyond.
=> UEH fosters a community of changemakers, encouraging students and staff to act on
sustainability, aligning with the role of student and staff engagement in sustainable
universities.
5. Governance: Make sustainability a priority for your organization Sustainability must
be a core strategic priority of the university. This involves having organizational
structures, such as sustainability departments or Green Offices, to oversee
sustainability efforts and ensure that they are adequately resourced. Monitoring and
reporting progress through sustainability reports and carbon footprints are critical to
achieving long-term sustainability goals.
=> Sustainability is a core part of UEH's strategic direction, prioritizing quality, integration,
creativity, and artistic inspiration, reflecting sustainable governance practices.
The reason why I am interested in this issue is because the University of Economic Ho Chi
Minh City always takes sustainable development as the core value for development and aims
for community values. This university model will shape future leaders and can drive positive
societal change. By integrating sustainability into all aspects, they help create a more
sustainable, equitable future while addressing global challenges directly and creating a
community of the young to take responsibility for their lives.

Activity 2
From a case study assigned to your group, what did you learn related to the SDGs in the
case? Contents to write in the essay should include the topic name, which SDGs, the
main idea of the case, related SDGs, which learning objectives you find most
interesting/meaningful, the connection between the case study and the SDGs,
advantages, and challenges to achieving the SDGs in the case, etc. ai.

From our group's case study on Women on Wings, we explored how their work related to
SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. This organization
focuses on creating jobs for rural women in India, directly contributing to gender equality by
empowering women and enabling economic opportunities that uplift entire communities. This
also connects to SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 4: Quality Education, as financial
independence enables women to invest more in their families’ education and health.

One of the most meaningful learning objectives from the case is the importance of creating
sustainable and scalable business models for social enterprises. Women on Wings focuses on
providing social enterprises with business advice to ensure they can continue sustainably
creating jobs. This learning aligns with SDG 8’s focus on sustainable economic growth and
also highlights the importance of addressing challenges, such as funding and scaling
operations.

The case study also taught us about the interconnected nature of the SDGs. Creating decent
jobs (SDG 8) for women contributes to gender equality (SDG 5), reduces poverty (SDG 1),
and improves educational access (SDG 4), emphasizing the role of systems thinking.
However, challenges remain, such as funding gaps, and ensuring job creation initiatives are
sustainable and resilient to economic downturns, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advantages in achieving these SDGs include women’s empowerment and social

entrepreneurship, which generate long-term benefits for communities. Challenges include
securing consistent funding and building scalable models to overcome the “Valley of Death,”
where many social enterprises fail due to resource constraints and economic uncertainties.

In conclusion, this case study helped us understand the synergies and trade-offs involved in
implementing SDGs, the critical role of economic empowerment in achieving gender equality,
and the importance of innovative and scalable approaches for sustainable development.

References:
Using Systems Thinking to Tackle the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Setting Priorities Through “Systems Thinking” at the SDG Summit - IISD.
How Systems Thinking Can Drive Sustainable Development for all types of businesses
Systems Thinking: Unlocking the Sustainable Development Goals
What is a sustainable university?
TÁI ĐỊNH VỊ HƯỚNG ĐẾN ĐẠI HỌC UEH ĐA NGÀNH VÀ BỀN VỮNGTRƯỜNG
ĐẠI HỌC KINH TẾ TP.HCM