Sustainable Development and Mathematics

Prof. Dr. Zinaida Fadeeva

Nalanda University / Universiti Sains Malaysia 

Abstract

In conversation with the audience, the speaker explores two questions – what role mathematics plays in addressing challenges of sustainable development and what does sustainable development means for mathematics. We will talk about understanding of natural and social phenomena as well as changes that are called upon in areas such as production and consumption systems, development of social systems and support of ecosystems. We will also talk about applications of mathematical knowledge in science, technology and education as part of the multidisciplinary strategies.

Prof. Dr. Zinaida Fadeeva

Nalanda University / Universiti Sains Malaysia

Prof. Dr. Zinaida Fadeeva is currently a Visiting Professor at Centre for Global Sustainability Studies in University Science Malaysia as well as a Visiting Professor in the Nalanda University (India). She obtained her PhD in Environmental Management and Policy from The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Lund University, Sweden. A senior specialist in policy and practice of sustainable consumption & production (SCP) with 25 years international professional experience, 17 years thereof with UN agencies on practical solutions covering waste management, resource efficiency & circularity, climate change, biodiversity, health, business and policy. She has taught sustainability at a number of Universities in China, Japan, India and Sweden. She has been associated with TERI School for Advanced Studies (SAS) as Visiting Professor. She is also an advisor to the EMPRETEC Programme of UNCTAD for India. She has been a Senior Consultant, UNIDO for the preparation of the background document on marine plastic pollution in the context of circular economy for the G20 countries; Senior Advisor, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (New Delhi) for advising on capacity development and coordination in the area of circular economy and work on development of the proxy SDG 12 indicators. She has been a Visiting Scholar, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Studies for Sustainability (UNU-IAS), Tokyo, Japan where she was engaged in policies and strategies with a particular focus on sustainable consumption and production and SDGs. She has been leading research activities of the ESD team of UNU-IAS since 2003. She has been a Senior Development Advisor, UNEP and UNDP – contributor to drafting team for the Environmental Code for Cambodia, particularly on sustainable consumption and production, access to information and environmental education.