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Seton Hall University

Educational Institution’s role in helping Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals  

Dr. Katia Passerini Speaks at the United Nations

Provost Passerini Speaks at the United Nations.

Dr. Katia Passerini, Provost and Executive Vice President, was a panel speaker at the International Council for Small Business MSME Forum at the United Nations. This forum was hosted by the United Nations through a collaborative effort among many UN agencies (for a full list click here).

Highlighting the importance of education, Dr. Passerini joined a panel of business, political, and academic leaders at United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan for the International Council for Small Business, Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Knowledge Summit Day. Highlights of her speech are below, or click here to watch her speech at the U.N.

The event took place on Monday, June 27, 2022. The theme of the summit was “Resilience and Rebuilding: MSMEs for Sustainable Development at the forefront of building back better and stronger from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Climate crisis and Conflicts.”

Image of the painting

Norman Rockwell's The Golden Rule, featured in the halls of the U.N.

Dr. Passerini’s panel discussion focused on the importance of eradicating poverty through education. “If there is one way to achieve, not just Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) #1 (No Poverty), but all the SDGs is really through education. Not just primary, not just secondary but tertiary education.”

Using proverb, story and fables, Dr. Passerini’s discussion centered around quality education for all. It may take up to 25 years to achieve, but a bachelor’s degree or beyond should be available to everyone, for it is through education we can eliminate poverty by providing everyone the opportunity to self-actualize and provide the tools and framework for innovative thinking.

How does higher education prepare entrepreneurs to change the world? We do not need more small non-profits competing for resources; we need more innovative non-profits; we need socially engaged entrepreneurs who are interested in seeing the SDGs forward.

Higher education is important to fostering this mindset, especially faith-based institutions, such as Seton Hall – we are educating servant leaders. Education can prepare future leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to make a long-term impact on the world. We are preparing a lot of micro, small and medium enterprises to thrive and help save everyone’s lives, like in the Aesop’s fable of the Lion and the Mouse. These MSMEs will help all of us achieve the SDGs.

Categories: Education

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