Where Knowledge Sparks Change: Inside the UNITAR SSE Dialogue on Green and Just Transitions
On 4 December 2025 (Virtual Session), the digital space once again became a meeting ground for ideas, experiences and shared aspirations as PAGE Indonesia and UNITAR convened another edition of the South–South Exchange (SSE) series. This time, the discussion centered on a powerful question: How can universities and governments work hand in hand to build a future that is both green and just? What followed was not simply a webinar — it was a living story of how knowledge, policy and community experience can ignite transformation.
A Conversation that Begins at the Intersection of Learning and Action
The dialogue opened with reflections from Indonesia, where momentum toward a green and circular economy is accelerating. Speakers highlighted something many countries experience: Universities are rich reservoirs of research and innovation, while governments chart national development pathways — yet the connection between the two is often weak.
The session reminded everyone that bridging this gap is not just beneficial, but essential. For Indonesia’s long-term sustainability vision, knowledge must meet policy, and policy must embrace knowledge.
South Africa’s Lesson: Everyone Has a Role in a Just Transition
From South Africa came a story of how an entire university system can embrace sustainability. At the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), every student begins their journey with climate and sustainability orientation, ensuring that no future graduate is left outside the conversation.
Dr. Presha Ramsarup described universities as “spaces of co-creation” — places where research does not sit on shelves, but moves into the hands of policymakers, practitioners and communities. Her message resonated strongly: A just transition is built by collective intelligence, not by experts alone.
Cambodia’s Experience: When Institutions Learn, Societies Transform
Cambodia added a systemic layer to the narrative. Through the Economy and Finance Institute, green economy principles are being integrated directly into civil service certification programs.
It was a powerful reminder that transitions often begin quietly — with revised curricula, trained officials, and strengthened institutions. Systems change is not always dramatic, but it is foundational.
Bringing It All Together: Community at the Heart of Transformation
During the panel discussion, speakers returned to a shared truth: Transitions are only just when communities are at the center. Indonesia underscored the importance of supporting local governments with better indicators, participatory platforms and inclusive planning tools.
Speakers also highlighted challenges faced by informal workers in accessing education — adding nuance to what “just” truly means in practice. The conversation ended with a powerful reflection: Community-led and community-driven solutions are not optional — they are the soul of a just transition.
A Shared Path Toward a Greener Tomorrow
As the session drew to a close and participants posed for a virtual group photo, there was a clear sense of continuity. The UNITAR SSE dialogue aligned perfectly with the spirit of PAGE Indonesia’s ongoing South–South Exchange series: Shared learning, shared responsibility and shared futures.
Across countries and across sectors, the message was the same — when universities, governments and communities learn together, knowledge does more than inform; it sparks change. And it is this spark that will continue guiding PAGE Indonesia’s efforts to advance green, inclusive and just development for years to come.