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Attendees watch the inaugural session of the "Why it Matters" conference at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald

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Astrid Tuminez, Utah Valley University President, and Robert Skinner, Executive Director of the United Nations Foundation, speak at a press conference before the "Why it Matters" conference on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald

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Jayashri Wyatt, Chief of Education Outreach at the United Nations, Baldomero Lago, chief international officer at UVU, and Felipe Queipo, NGO Relations and Advocacy staffer at the United Nations, speak at the "Why it Matters" conference in Orem on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald

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Signs depicting the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals at the "Why it Matters" conference in Orem on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

Ashtyn Asay, Daily Herald

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Utah Valley and the United Nations kicked off the “Why It Matters” conference on sustainability Wednesday at UVU bringing together students, community members, scholars and representatives from all over the world.

“This is a historic event for our university community, for all institutions of learning, for civil society, and for the United Nations,” said Baldomero Lago, chief international officer at Utah Valley University.

Presentations for the three-day conference are centered on academic publications addressing the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which include: Poverty, hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions and partnerships for the goals.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by all members of the UN in 2015 as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“These goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives and prospects of everyone everywhere,” Baldomero said.

According to Baldomero, the Why It Matters conference is an opportunity for experts and members of the general public to talk with one another and exchange ideas on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Attendees are also encouraged to begin to formulate strategies and initiatives to address them.

“The purpose of this conference, rooted in the necessity to academically address the Sustainable Development Goals in particular, and the 2030 agenda, is to harness the strategies, expertise and resources across the widest spectrum of academic thought,” he said. “And to unleash a range of educational initiatives that ensure inclusive, safe and equitable quality sustainable development.”

In addition to lectures, the conference will continue to feature hands-on opportunities for attendees. On Thursday, volunteers will assemble 2,000 newborn kits for refugee mothers in a humanitarian project sponsored by JustServe, a community service program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from 3-6 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Sorenson Student Center on UVU’s main campus in Orem.

Also on Thursday, a sustainable fashion show featuring designers from Europe and South America will take place at 6:40 p.m in the Ragan Theatre.

The Why It Matters conference will go on until Friday in the Sorenson Student Center and is open to the public. People can still register for the conference at https://uvu.edu/global/wim22/index.html.

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