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Renowned economist and global leader in sustainable development to speak at Unisa
Renowned economist Prof Jeffrey D. Sachs will headline the 2025 Unisa Founders’ Lecture, hosted by the university’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Puleng LenkaBula, at the institution’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria on Thursday 20 November 2025. Sachs will speak on the theme "Solidarity, Social Justice and Reclaiming Futures: The Roles of Universities in Contested Geopolitics".
Since its inception in 2004, the annual Unisa Founders’ Lecture has evolved into one of the university’s premier intellectual events. Over the years, eminent scholars and leaders from across the continent and the world have graced this platform, firmly establishing it as a flagship event for intellectual and scientific engagement in Africa and beyond.
Accomplished academic, social justice crusader and Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Prof Tshepo Madlingozi, will be amongst the speakers at the event, providing context and input to the theme and the lecture delivered by Sachs.
"As Unisa, we are elated that Professor Sachs has agreed to join us at this year’s Founders’ Lecture and share his wealth of knowledge and perspective on the chosen theme," says the VC. "It was our wish for him to address the university community on the occasion of our 150th anniversary two years ago, but he could not join us due to a busy schedule. We are truly fortunate that we will finally have the opportunity to drink from his cup of wisdom and knowledge."
The Unisa 2025 Founders’ Lecture promises to be an insightful and engaging discussion aligned with Unisa’s commitment to contributing to meaningful national and global conversations.
About Prof Jeffrey D. Sachs
Prof Sachs, a world-renowned economist and global leader in sustainable development, currently serves as the Director of the Centre of Sustainable Development at Columbia University in the United States. He is also the President of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
He has been a special advisor to successive United Nations Secretaries-General on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is also a long-standing member of the World Economic Forum’s network of global experts, and is widely recognised for his work on poverty alleviation, climate change and international economic cooperation
His research interests encompass health and development, economic geography, globalisation, international financial markets, international macroeconomic policy coordination, emerging markets, economic development and growth, global competitiveness, and macroeconomic policies in both developed and developing countries.
Sachs has endorsed the role of universities in achieving sustainable development and has provided progressive leadership in establishing multidimensional programmes in sustainable development, such as the Earth Institute at Columbia University, which he directed until 2016.
His established Master of Development Practise (MDP) programme is offered at more than 30 universities globally, including the University of Pretoria where the Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute hosts it.
* By Moleboheng Mpafa, Victor Malatji and Nontsikelelo Ndebele, Journalist Interns, Department of Institutional Advancement
Publish date: 2025-11-13 00:00:00.0
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Renowned economist and global leader in sustainable development to speak at Unisa