SASUF Sustainability Forum 2024

Globally, we are faced with unprecedented technological advancements coinciding with escalating environmental concerns. The workshop endeavours to examine the implications of digital technologies on preserving biodiversity. This workshop seeks to critically assess digital transformation's relevance within Swedish and South African contexts and delineate a joint path forward.

Sweden, distinguished for its proclivity towards sustainability and pioneering technological innovations, is leading in driving digital transformation in wildlife conservation. Swedish expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and remote sensing technologies aligns seamlessly with the overarching global endeavour to safeguard biodiversity. This workshop offers a forum for Swedish stakeholders to showcase their innovations and contribute substantially to the global dialogue on wildlife conservation.

South Africa, characterised by its rich biodiversities and iconic species such as rhinoceros and African elephants, confronts substantial conservation challenges, including poaching and habitat degradation. Acknowledging South Africa's pivotal role in global wildlife preservation, this workshop endeavours to facilitate collaboration with local experts, organisations, and communities. It delves into how digital tools and strategies can be contextualised to address these challenges effectively.

This scholarly workshop aims to foster an exchange of ideas, knowledge, and best practices situated at the nexus of digital innovation and wildlife conservation. Our purpose is multifold:
Catalyze Collaborative Endeavors by convening stakeholders from Sweden and South Africa. We hope to stimulate cross-border partnerships and collaborations that harness digital technology for wildlife protection.
Knowledge Dissemination enables experts to disseminate experiences, success narratives, and challenges in integrating digital tools and data-driven methodologies in wildlife conservation.
Public Engagement Strategies by recognising the pivotal role of the public, the workshop will explore strategies to employ digital platforms for raising awareness and engaging active participation in conservation initiatives.

Beyond the workshop, we envision sustained efforts in Sweden, South Africa, and globally, including Kenya. To facilitate this, we propose the following initiatives:
Initiation of Collaborative Research Projects: The workshop shall serve as a launchpad for collaborative research endeavours, conservation projects, and technological development initiatives that involve Swedish and South African stakeholders.
Creation of an Online Resource Repository: We shall establish an online repository to disseminate workshop materials, research findings, and case studies, thereby ensuring that knowledge and insights continue to enrich the global conservation scholarly community.
Institution of an Annual Symposium: Building upon the successes of this workshop, we intend an annual symposium. This will provide a recurring platform for stakeholders to congregate and advance the discourse on digital transformation in wildlife conservation. Capacity Enhancement Initiatives: We will explore training programs to augment the skills and capacities of conservationists and technology experts, thereby nurturing a sustainable ecosystem for digital innovation in wildlife preservation.

Session 1: Introduction and Context Setting (15 minutes)
Session 2: Relevance of Digital Transformation in Swedish and South African Contexts (30 minutes)
Session 3: Exploring Digital Tools and Innovations (30 minutes)
Session 4: Public Engagement and Capacity Enhancement (20 minutes)
Session 5: Future Collaborations and Activities (15 minutes)
Session 6: Closing Remarks and Call to Action (10 minutes)

Keywords: Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Wildlife