Open lecture “Social Justice and Sustainable Development”
22 April 2025
Larysa Chala, Associate Professor of the AI Department and Scientific Supervisor of the Benchmarking Department, delivered an open lecture for students of the Faculty of Computer Sciences on the topic: “Social Justice and Sustainable Development” (). The event took place as part of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the context of their integration into the educational process.
Larysa Chala emphasized that genuine sustainability cannot be achieved without equal opportunities, fair distribution of resources, and inclusiveness. She highlighted the role of education in shaping awareness aimed at overcoming inequality and respecting every person’s rights.
Special attention was paid to the role of education in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular:
Goal 4, Quality Education — Inclusive educational initiatives that ensure equal access to knowledge for everyone, regardless of social status or individual characteristics.
Goal 5, Gender Equality — The importance of eliminating discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for women and men.
Goal 10, Reduced Inequalities — Approaches to overcoming structural inequality through educational programs and social projects.
Associate Professor Chala examined the dimensions of social justice — distributive, procedural, and restorative justice — and their connection to the SDGs.
Students learned about successful cases such as social entrepreneurship (for example, the Ukrainian bakery “Dobroho Khliba”), inclusive education, and the Fair Trade system. These examples illustrate how the principles of social justice are implemented in real life to achieve sustainable development.
The lecture encouraged students toward critical thinking and participation in social initiatives. Associate Professor Chala stressed the importance of monitoring impact and taking a systematic approach to projects that combine environmental, economic, and social aspects.
The lecture featured an interactive format, in which students discussed how they could contribute to implementing the principles of social justice in their future professional activities, particularly in the IT field. This lecture became an important step in spreading knowledge about sustainable development among students. Universities play a leading role in nurturing a new generation of leaders capable of integrating sustainability principles into all spheres of life. Technical specialists, including our IT graduates, should contribute to sustainable change through innovative solutions aimed at social justice. The lecture inspired students to reflect on their own contribution to building a fair and sustainable future.
NURE continues to actively implement SDG principles into its educational programs, setting an example of social responsibility in education.
