And Now for Some International Flair: UNLV Gears Up for International Education Week – University of Nevada, Las Vegas | UNLV

UNLV International Education Week: A Report on Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) hosted its fourth annual International Education Week from November 17 to November 22. This event, a joint initiative with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, serves to highlight the benefits of global exchange and education. The week’s activities were designed to advance several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering global citizenship, promoting inclusive education, reducing inequalities, and strengthening international partnerships.

Contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education

The event directly supports SDG 4 by promoting inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. UNLV’s commitment to this goal is demonstrated through its efforts to equip students, scholars, and faculty with the skills needed to engage in an interconnected world.

• Global Community: UNLV is host to over 1,000 international students and approximately 100 international staff, faculty, and visiting scholars from around 90 countries.
• Educational Exchange: The university provides resources and opportunities for meaningful global experiences, facilitating international mobility and cross-cultural understanding.
• Objective: To prepare participants to navigate and contribute to a complex, rapidly changing global landscape.

Advancing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

A central feature of the week, the You Belong Here exhibition, directly addresses the principles of SDG 10 and SDG 16. The initiative was developed to support the international student community and reduce inequalities faced by them.

1. Origins: The campaign was created in response to the termination of legal immigration status for seven UNLV students, part of a nationwide issue affecting over 1,000 individuals. This action demonstrates the university’s role as a strong institution (SDG 16) providing support and advocating for justice.
2. Inclusive Action: Through social gatherings, individual support, and fundraising, UNLV Global and the campus community demonstrated a commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment, thereby working to reduce inequalities (SDG 10).
3. Storytelling for Impact: The exhibition showcases the voices and journeys of international students through photography and writing, highlighting their resilience and promoting empathy and understanding within the community.

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

International Education Week exemplifies the importance of collaboration, a core tenet of SDG 17. The event’s success relies on a multi-level partnership structure.

• International Partnerships: UNLV actively partners with approximately 57 institutions across 30 different countries, facilitating joint research and exchange programs that strengthen global cooperation.
• National Partnerships: The event is part of a nationwide initiative in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.
• Campus Partnerships: Key campus collaborators include Student Life, Student Affairs, the UNLV Foundation, the Department of World Languages and Cultures, the College of Hospitality, and the Department of Student Connection and Engagement.

Key Programmatic Components

The week featured a diverse schedule of activities designed to engage the entire campus community.

• You Belong Here Exhibition: An art and storytelling event held in the Beam Hall Atrium, open to the public.
• UNLV Global Open House: An event for the community to learn about UNLV Global’s programs, partnerships, and initiatives that support international education and the university’s SDG-related goals.

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Based on the article, the following SDGs are addressed or connected to the initiatives at UNLV:

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The entire article revolves around International Education Week, which aims to demonstrate the benefits of global exchange and education. The university’s stated goal is to “equip students, scholars, and faculty to participate in our interconnected world and engage other cultures,” which directly aligns with providing a quality, globally-minded education.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The “You Belong Here” campaign was specifically created to support international students who faced the termination of their legal immigration status. This initiative addresses the inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by this group, aiming to provide support, foster inclusion, and ensure they are not left behind due to their national origin or legal status challenges.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights extensive collaboration. The International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. Furthermore, UNLV partners with numerous campus departments (Student Life, UNLV Foundation, etc.) and approximately 57 international institutions for research and exchange, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to achieving its educational goals.

Specific SDG Targets

The article’s content points to several specific targets under the identified SDGs:

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for… global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity…” The article’s focus on equipping students to “engage other cultures” and participate in an “interconnected world” through international education and exchange programs directly supports this target.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social… inclusion of all, irrespective of… origin… or other status.” The “You Belong Here” campaign, with its social gatherings and individual support systems, is a direct effort to promote the social inclusion of international students, particularly those in precarious legal situations, ensuring they feel a sense of belonging irrespective of their origin.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.16: “Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise…” UNLV’s partnership with “approximately 57 institutions in 30 different countries for joint research, and faculty and student exchange” is a clear example of a global partnership sharing knowledge and expertise.
  • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The event itself is a partnership between a public university (UNLV), public government bodies (U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Education), and various civil society/campus entities (Student Life, UNLV Foundation), showcasing a multi-sector collaboration.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicators for SDG 4 (Target 4.7)

  • Number of international students and scholars: The article mentions “more than 1,000 international students and about 100 international staff, faculty, and visiting scholars.” This metric indicates the scale of global engagement on campus.
  • Diversity of nationalities: The international community represents “approximately 90 countries,” which measures the extent of cultural diversity and global reach.
  • Number of international partnerships: The fact that “UNLV also partners with approximately 57 institutions in 30 different countries” serves as an indicator of the university’s commitment to global educational collaboration.

• Indicators for SDG 10 (Target 10.2)

  • Existence of support programs: The creation of the “You Belong Here” campaign is an indicator of institutional response to the needs of vulnerable student populations.
  • Provision of support services: The article mentions “special social gatherings, individual support, and fundraising” as tangible actions taken to support affected students, which can be tracked as measures of inclusion.

• Indicators for SDG 17 (Targets 17.16 & 17.17)

  • Number and type of partners: The article lists specific partners, including the “U.S. Department of State,” “U.S. Department of Education,” “Student Life,” “Student Affairs,” and the “UNLV Foundation.” Tracking the number and diversity of these partners is a key indicator of multi-stakeholder engagement.

Summary of Findings

Source: unlv.edu