On 27 October, SDG Advocate Prof. Jeffrey Sachs was awarded the University College Dublin\u2019s Ulysses Medal, the highest honour that the University can bestow. Prof. Sachs received the medal for his work on ending poverty, overcoming macroeconomic instability, promoting economic growth, fighting hunger and disease, and promoting sustainable environmental practices.<\/p>\n
After receiving the UCD Ulysses Medal, Sachs addressed the 1,000-strong audience who turned out to hear him speak on the obligation to implement the SDGs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not spectators in an unfolding drama, we are the participants and the protagonists who are needed to help shape the kind of future that we want,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is nothing automatic about the success of these goals or automatic about their failure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 I am a firm believer that these goals are realistic, that they are achievable, and that they are important, and that our job is to do whatever we can to make them be achieved,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something for human well-being, and because it\u2019s within reach, it is our moral obligation to help it to be reached.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inaugurated in 2005, the UCD Ulysses Medal is awarded to individuals whose work has made an outstanding global contribution.<\/p>\n