Sustainable Development
Studies Center



Envisioning Sustainable Future



“All human rights issues have sustainable development dimensions… To achieve sustainable development, We need to promote the excellence in education and science and its influential role in socio-economic policy and development”.
-- 17 April 1968



HRH Prince Mohammad bin King Faisal (I) bin El-Sharif Hussein El-Hashemite

RASIT’s Founder President



The center IN BRIEF



Per the recommendation of HRH Prince Professor Adel El-Hashemite, the Sustainable Development Studies Center was founded in 1982, as an International Program of RASIT. The Center promotes rigorous and objective empirical research and studies on issues related to socio-economic sustainable development to support decision-making by Inter-Governmental Organizations, governments and industry.

The Centre is a virtual interdisciplinary consortium of junior and senior scholars and specialists in all fields including natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and law. The Center’s mission is to improve well-being around the world by better understanding the interaction of demographic changes with social and economic development. Its main goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and vital societies.

Objectives
The main objectives of the Center are to:
Enhance the scholarly exchange of knowledge on sustainable development issues among social scientists and to enhance collaboration with the natural and technical sciences
Promote joint innovative research and studies work on sustainable development issues at multiple scale levels, from contrasting perspectives, in and between the Global North and South, to better understand issues confronting the world’s populations and identify ways to cope with and resolve these challenges
Facilitate deep understanding of the values, thinking, practices, and aspirations of the world’s diverse cultures, and the acquisition of advanced Science Technology and InnovationProvide an institutional framework within which all development-related issues can be considered, researched and discussed with a view of providing practical guidance and assistance to the relevant decision makers
Develop professional training opportunities and public programs in global studies for researchers, educators, students, business leaders, media, governmental agencies, civic organizations, and all members of the public concerned with understanding and solving global problems
Advance university education that provides a critical and state-of-the-art understanding of sustainable development problems as well as relevant governance opportunities and
Take part in societal and political debates on sustainable development issues.



"We consider the success of the SDSC is through the implementation of studies carried out in making a change for the better"
-- 20 March 1990





HRH Prince Mohammad Bin King Faisal (I) El-Hashemite

Founder President


GET INVOLVED
HOSTING VISITING SCHOLARS



Given our long record of global ties, it is no surprise that RASIT Sustainable Development Studies Center attracts visiting scholars from every corner of the globe.


RASIT has a Visiting Scholars program which welcomes a limited number of scholars and researchers to the Sustainable Development Studies Center each year.


The program is aimed at scholars in established posts in other Universities or similar institutions who are on study leave, who wish to spend short periods working in RASIT on topics related to Sustainable Development Studies.


We welcome visiting scholars to conduct research and studies, attend and participate in meetings at the United Nations, and work in a variety of capacities throughout the Center.


It would be impossible to quantify the benefits derived by our Center, interns, and the international community from the exceptional diversity of perspectives brought by the Visiting Scholars. In addition to pursuing their own research objectives while at The Center, visiting scholars are often invited to actively participate in other RASIT activities, such as:

• Deliver a formal lecture

• Participate in program seminars/events at United Nations

• Engage in formal or informal discussions with multi-stakeholders


Visiting Scholars / Students will have the opportunity to gain more skills at the United Nations, and will be able to present their work and vision in either a specially organized briefing at the United Nations or at an international conference



Scholars categories





Visitors are given a title from one of two categories depending on their status and experience:


Visiting Scholars - hold a doctorate and are usually in a teaching position in a university elsewhere with a proven track record of research.


Visiting Fellows - senior academics with a major research and publications record.


Visiting Scholar and Visiting Fellow visits can be for up to one year depending on individual circumstances.


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Visiting Students





The Center also consider applications from Visiting Students in the final stages of their PhD studies.


Normally, visiting student status is given for one 3-months term in the first instance but students may apply to have this extended to a maximum of two terms.


Competition for places is tough and a high standard of applications is expected, therefore the Center prefers Visiting Students who wish to apply to have an average GPA of 3.6 or above.


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Publications
Thinking Ahead for Sustainable Development





SDSC is a leading Center of Excellence for research into the growth, innovation and productivity of sustainable development. Our research helps shape better policies and practices that enable societies to thrive.


The Center publishes / produces a wide range of publications, ranging from books, research / insight papers, research and task force reports, to scholarly articles as well as policy contribution.


We accept scholars’ manuscripts across all genres relevant to sustainable development, from anywhere in the world. Whether you are a member of or not, RASIT welcomes newly constructive and visionary work.


For further information, please contact us at dpic@rasit.org



SDSC Events



The Sustainable Development Studies Center promotes rigorous and objective empirical research and studies on issues related to sustainable development to support decision-making by Inter-Governmental Organizations, governments and industry. The results of the studies are disseminated through conferences, forums, publications, workshops, educational programs and other public outreach activities.


RASIT organizes, sponsors and co-sponsors, either independently or in collaboration with key national and international organizations, conferences, seminars, or roundtables, which carry major themes ranging from science, technology, education, social sciences and humanities, to economy, history, culture, and human rights.



The Ambassador Lecture Series



Do you think about the problems facing society or about the needs of the world? Do you worry about climate change, poverty, equality and overconsumption? Do you want to make a difference? The United Nations has set 17 sustainable development goals to help end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. The Sustainable Development Studies Center is challenging Diplomates and Youth as well as the public to be part of the solution!


Through the Lecture Series, the Center seeks to advance and enrich the practice of public diplomacy through its Lecture Series and public engagement, by focusing on the concept and framework of Diplomacy and Sustainable Development Goals, while considering ways in which Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved through Diplomacy tool mechanics. The Ambassador Lecture Series will be organized in different countries, as part of our global education to help youth and the public in general understand current issues in the world. Foreign ambassadors and other renowned leaders of international organizations and eminent figures will deliver the lectures.


The Main objective of the Lecture Series Program is identifying means to address an ever-expanding set of global issues arising from the unsustainable practices that are overwhelming the capacity of traditional diplomacy. Thus, exploring the vital role of diplomacy in engaging a broad array of stakeholders to implement the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The program featured a variety of perspectives, including case discussions


For further information, please contact us at SDSC@rasit.org



The Center



  • Provides a unique multi-stakeholder platform to support business action and partnerships by fostering public-private dialogues, catalyzing new partnerships and alliances, and exploring innovative business solutions to accelerate sustainable development.
  • Helps companies take a deep dive on critical issues through its suite of Action Platforms to advance responsible business activities and fill emerging gaps in meeting Sustainable Development Goals and Programs


RASIT'S AGORA





The Agora explores the role of the private sector in delivering the 2030 sustainable development agenda, focusing on what business can do (and what it cannot do) and the role governments need to play to avoid risks and maximize potential.


RASIT held its Inaugural Agora on 16 June 2016 during the High-Level Political Forum at the United Nations HQ.


The Agora was organized in closed collaboration with the Turkish corporate EkoRe under the theme “Transforming the World Through Sustainable Energy for All: Leaving No One Behind".


Read more: Bulletin Outcome Document




Watch Event



Learning Programs



Diploma in Sustainable Development
Learn more about sustainable development for a sustainable future.



The rationale for this innovative program of study lies in the global environmental and development challenges that have been articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals. Solutions to the challenge of sustainable development require holistic, integrated and coordinated actions across a very wide range of sectors and will increasingly require a multidisciplinary approach.
This program aims to provide participants with a broad grounding in the main concepts associated with sustainable development, but also provides the opportunity to specialize in one area in greater depth. Courses Description Sustainable development is a type of economic growth pattern where the use of resources meets the needs of the human population while conserving the environment at the same time. Sustainable development means resources are used in such a way that both current and future human needs can be met.
The Short Courses Diploma in Sustainable Development reviews a diverse range of topics, for example including what exactly sustainability is and what systems of practice are most commonly used, and in particular, examines the importance of sustainable development in counteracting global climate change.
The courses will be of great interest to all professionals interested in international development, and in the sustainability and environmental sectors who would like to learn more about global sustainable development. It will also be of interest to the general learner who is interested in how current and future demands for the earth's resources by a growing human population can be met.
Themes: Every Semester, the course will also pay attention to issues surrounding one of the 17 Global Goals (SDGs) and its targets.
Who is Lecturing? Renowned Scholars, Member States Ambassadors and Senior United Nations Officials are invited to contribute their expert knowledge and vision.
Course Information: Length: 6-8 weeks Effort: 3-5 hours per week Price: US$550 with a Verified Diploma Certificate to highlight the knowledge and skills you gain.
For further information, please contact us at SDSC@rasit.org
​


SDSC-E
Free online courses from RASIT.



RASIT-SDSC is devoted to excellence in learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally. RASIT is engaged with teaching and research to push the boundaries of human knowledge. The Courses are designed to be comprehensively accessible and enormously beneficial.


Enhance existing knowledge, explore a new subject or take the first steps toward an exciting new career. Regardless of your age, location and educational background, the Courses are open to everyone from around the world Fluent in English Language.


From this course, participants will gain a broad understanding of debates around the Socio-Economic Development issues and related matters.


Courses Information:

Length: 4 weeksEffort: 2–4 hours per week

Price: FREE

Pursue a Verified Certificate to highlight the knowledge and skills you gain $250.00

Easily Shareable: Add the certificate to your CV, or post it directly on LinkedIn.

RASIT, a non-profit, relies on verified certificates to help fund free education for everyone globally


Who is Lecturing?

Renowned Scholars are invited to contribute their expert knowledge and vision.


Registration will be opened 40 days before the Course Starts.


Learning Formats: Each Lecture will have a 30-minute overview presentation followed by a 45-minute moderated discussion and interventions from students.

A designed academic moderator will introduce and conclude each lecture.


For further information, please contact us at SDSC@rasit.org​



Supervising Academic Research on Sustainable Development



The Sustainable Development Studies Center offers supervision for PhD and MPhil students in areas that are compatible with Sustainable Development Goals including the role of governance processes and institutions, and the research interests of the Center’s Fellow Experts.


Supervision In addition to his/her Main supervisor, The Center will nominate an expert advisor(s) to provide support and supervision in niche topics pertinent to the research. One member of this supervision team acts as the mentor, providing day-to-day guidance. Formal meetings are convened at least monthly (full-time) or bi-monthly (part-time).


Post-Graduate Students are expected to work in a self-directed manner, so the supervision team guides rather than drives the research. Under our expert advisors’ supervision, Students are expected to present their findings in either a specially organized briefing at the United Nations or at an international conference.


For further information, please contact us at SDSC@rasit.org



"If our goal is reform & develop society sustainably, we must first and foremost empower scientific competencies equally"
-- 17 April 1968





HRH Prince Mohammad Bin King Faisal (I) El-Hashemite

Founder President


Since 1968, RASIT has been an organization with an infinite vision into the future and will continue this tradition of measureless services for the benefit of mankind.



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