This year, TSRG 2024: Transcultural Perspectives on Sustainable Futures was hosted by SDSN at the University of Pretoria. The TSRG featured a week-long series of workshops, seminars, and educational visits, providing participants with a rich and immersive learning experience focused on sustainable futures through a transcultural lens.

Day 1: Monday, 22 July 2024

  • Opening Remarks: The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Themba Mosia, inaugurated the event with inspiring remarks, emphasizing his passion for youth engagement and urging students to create innovative solutions for global challenges.
  • Panel Discussion:
    • Professor Flavia Senkubuge stressed the importance of contextual relevance in education, highlighting that the knowledge gained must apply to real-world scenarios.
    • Professor Loretta Feris encouraged students to see themselves as agents of change, underlining the need to make a positive impact on the world.
    • Dr. Stanley Ntakumba introduced the Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) degree, emphasizing the importance of involvement in development initiatives.
  • Futures Literacy Session: Led by Ms. Quratul Aan, This session was centered around a simulation game that encouraged participants to think outside the box and explore alternative futures.
  • Technology for Sustainable Development Workshop: Concluding the day, Dr. Rendani Mamphiswana provided a reality check on the progress of the SDGs, demonstrating how technology can aid in achieving these goals.

Day 2: Tuesday, 23 July 2024

  • Tour of Constitution Hill: The day began with a tour of Constitution Hill, home to South Africa’s Constitutional Court and a symbol of the nation’s democratic transition. This historic site, once a notorious prison that housed leaders like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, provided students with profound insights into South Africa’s legal and social evolution.
  • Cultural Culinary Experience: Participants immersed themselves in local cuisine at Siga in Alexandra, offering a taste of South African culture.
  • Training Session with the South African SDG Hub: This session demonstrated how the SDG Hub assists academics in finding SDG-focused research, emphasizing the importance of utilizing available resources to drive sustainability initiatives.

Day 3: Wednesday, 24 July 2024

  • Panel Discussion:
    • Dr. Sean Kruger discussed the ongoing relevance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in corporate and social environments.
    • Onyi Nwaneri emphasized the importance of critical thinking in leadership, inspiring participants to be solutions-oriented and proactive in addressing global challenges.
  • Conversation with MDP Students: A rich exchange of ideas and strategies took place, focusing on innovative approaches to challenges faced by both the Global South and North.
  • Visit to the Javett Art Centre: The afternoon was spent exploring South Africa’s cultural heritage through art and historical exhibitions, deepening participants’ understanding of the country’s socio-cultural dynamics.

Day 4: Thursday, 25 July 2024

  • Tour of the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF): Participants gained deep insights into Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy, exploring an extensive archive of his personal artifacts, letters, and photographs. The NMF serves as a center for dialogue on social justice, continuing Mandela’s mission.
  • Visit to the Apartheid Museum: A powerful exploration of South Africa’s troubled past, the museum provided a stark reminder of the horrors of apartheid and the nation’s journey to democracy. The exhibits emphasized the importance of understanding history to shape a better future.
  • Culinary Experience: The day concluded with participants enjoying a variety of traditional South African cuisines, further immersing themselves in the local culture.

Day 5: Friday, 26 July 2024

  • Visit to the Mamelodi Business Hub: The focus shifted to entrepreneurship, where students interacted with young innovators from townships. This visit highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience within South African communities, showcasing successful businesses initiated by individuals from underprivileged backgrounds. The hub illustrated the potential for entrepreneurship to drive local economic development.
  • This visit served as a symbolic conclusion to the week’s activities, leaving participants with a hopeful vision of South Africa’s progress and potential.
  • A Farewell Dinner: A farewell dinner was organized at a traditional South African restaurant, where the evening concluded with acknowledgments and expressions of gratitude. TSRG students also briefly shared their transcultural experiences. As a token of appreciation, Ms. Quratul Aan from Transcultural Caravan presented books as gifts to the supervisors Prof. Julika Baumann Montecinos and Dr Lan Dang Thi Ngoc and our hosts Ms. Priscilla Morley and Mr Kamagano Sethono, from SDSN at the University of Pretoria.

Day 6: Saturday, 27 July 2024

  • Safari Experience and Wilderness Sustainability: The final day was a relaxing retreat for participants as they embarked on a safari experience. This excursion offered a deep dive into wilderness sustainability, where students learned about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the efforts required to preserve wildlife in their natural habitats. The day provided not only a chance to unwind but also a reflective moment to appreciate the interconnectedness of nature and sustainability.