Seite - 27 - in options, Band winter 2016/2017

institute news 27winter 2016/2017 + optionswww.iiasa.ac.at news at iiasa World leaders at IIASA T wo former presidents—Federal Austrian President Heinz  Fischer and President Tarja Halonen, the  first female Finnish head of state—came to IIASA this August to meet students attending the Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) and discuss the key barriers to achieving a sustainable future. This special dialogue session was a chance for these former world leaders to pass on some of their experience, and for the young scientists to challenge them with new and innovative ideas. The session—part of Halonen’s two‑week sabbatical, which she spent at IIASA this year—sparked lively debates on how to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of the upcoming generation of scientists in these critical transformations. Halonen was clear about the need for science: “Release the scientists! People need to hear what science has to offer and how you see the problems and solutions,” she said. During her sabbatical Halonen engaged in discussions with staff at all levels across IIASA. In her keynote lecture she praised the active and productive relationship between Finland and IIASA. In particular, Finland must consider the benefits but also the threats of being an Arctic country, and the IIASA Arctic Futures Initiative has provided valuable findings on the vast and rapid transformation occurring in this region. As a member of the Leadership Council of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, she was also clear on the need to act swiftly and with determination on all fronts to achieve sustainability. When she was helping to formulate the SDGs there had been a concerted effort to include multiple stakeholders and make the process transparent, Halonen remembered. “That  inclusiveness and transparency is just as important now in the implementation of the goals,” she added. It is especially important that both civil society and the private sector are also involved in the implementation. “The role of governments is still essential, and it is they who will be held accountable, but without an inclusive approach we may well fail,” said the former president. With a career rooted in social justice and a firm commitment to  human rights, Halonen was especially eager to engage all at IIASA in discussions on equality and diversity both within the institute and in wider society. Two sessions, on women in science and equality and diversity, brought up important issues in these areas. Halonen discussed with participants ways to improve equality and diversity with bottom‑up approaches—such as engaging your peers in discussion on these matters—and top‑down methods such as quotas for gender balance on panels or in committees. Change won’t come as a single revolution, Halonen warned, but rather bit by bit as attitudes and rules slowly change. IIASA, with its reputation as a thought‑leader, could be a pioneer in  this  area. DB www.iiasa.ac.at/events/Dialogue‑16 blog.iiasa.ac.at/Diversity‑16 FORMER PRESIDENTS HEINZ FISCHER AND TARJA HALONEN (second and third from right) engaged in lively debate with participants of the YSSP.