ACU Conference of Executive Heads

Universities and the Millennium Development Goals

Sunday 25- Tuesday 27 April 2010
Cape Town, South Africa

Dr Theuns Eloff
Chair of the ACU & Vice-Chancellor, North-West University, South Africa

Welcome to the 2010 ACU Conference of Executive Heads.

Higher education plays a crucial role in reaching the Millennium Development Goals, and should be seen to be engaging with these important issues. This conference will achieve two things: focusing the minds of HE leadership on these common goals, and preparing the way for HE to advocate for more recognition and support in helping to achieve the MDGs. The fact that it is taking place in arguably one of the most beautiful regions in the world, is a further distinct attraction!

The conference theme will examine the contribution of universities to the Millennium Development Goals through the research, policy analysis and the teaching and outreach that they provide.  The programme will focus on:

• The Millennium Development Goals: progress and future priorities

• Institutional commitment by universities

• Universities and the MDGs in times of conflict and post-conflict reconstruction

Smaller breakout sessions will provide opportunities for more detailed discussion of university contributions to individual goals:

• Demography -  past and future population growth and the drivers of fertility including the role of education
• Poverty - including the hidden role of universities in the development of new products, services and employment.   Hunger - including food supply and food security
• Primary education - including the development of open schools
• Gender equality - including both equality in higher education and the role of higher education in promoting and achieving equality
• Health - including child and maternal health, HIV/AIDS, safe drinking water, malaria and other infectious diseases
• Environmental sustainability
• Trade and debt - including trade in higher education

The conference will provide an opportunity to demonstrate this essential contribution and will allow universities to re-affirm their commitment to helping to create a sustainable and more equitable world for future generations