Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
According to current figures, over 200 million people around the world are unemployed, especially young people. Employment and economic growth play a significant part in combating poverty. Goal 8 includes targets on sustaining economic growth, increasing economic productivity and creating decent jobs. It envisages combating forced labour and ending modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030. Sustainable economic growth should not be to the detriment of the environment, which is why Goal 8 also advocates improved global resource efficiency in consumption and production and the decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation.
Source: www.eda.admin.ch/agenda2030 (edited)
Contributions of ETH Zurich (examples)
Within the framework of its core areas of research, education, campus and dialog with society, ETH Zurich contributes to Goal 8, for example, by the following activities:
Serving Society
The Swiss Economic Institute (KOF) provides independent in-depth research into Swiss and international business cycles. It addresses structural and economic questions that are relevant to society. KOF's public and academic events, such as forums and seminars, bridge the gap between the national economy and society.
Examining Economic and Political Problems
The Chair of Macroeconomics: Innovation and Policy, amongst other things, formulates policy recommendations to balance economic use and long-term conservation of ecosystem functions and services efficiently. Several of the Chair’s yearly recurring courses focus on topics such as economic growth, innovation and policy.
Space for Great Ideas
ETH Zurich has a long tradition of supporting company founders. Thereby, it promotes the conversion of research results into marketable products and the creation of new jobs. Since 1996, more than 430 spin-offs have been founded, many of which support the Agenda 2030.
Champions for Sustainable Business
In courses such as Strategies for Sustainable Business and Corporate Sustainability students learn to critically analyze strategies for sustainable business and get prepared to become champions for sustainable business practices.
Lecture Plural Economics
In the external pagePlural Economics project, students organize a joint lecture at the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich to promote reflection on a broad spectrum of economic theories. The aim is to encourage economics students to critically analyze complex issues against the background of several schools of thought in economics.
Lived Sustainability on Campus
Working Conditions
For ETH Zurich, the provision of a progressive working environment and competetive working conditions plays a substantial role in its efforts. Beyond the framework conditions, ETH Zurich offers its employees a wide range of additional benefits and services, including childcare offerings.