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Sustainable development
Monash University Sustainable Development Goals Progress Report
Monash Progress Report 2020
Monash Progress Report 2020 – Goal 8

Monash Progress Report 2020 – Goal 8

Monash University Progress Report 2020 on the Sustainable Development Goals

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Research

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Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability View

The Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability unites researchers who are interested in the business, economic and social problems affecting the developing world and the environment and sustainability more broadly. The Centre’s research expertise includes growth, poverty and inequality, agricultural development, political economy and governance.

In 2020 they initiated a series of major and rapid research and policy activities to address the global and local issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This included launching a number of research projects to monitor, document and analyse how the rapidly evolving pandemic was affecting economies and communities, and to generate new policy ideas for coping with the immediate and emerging challenges.

Monash Blockchain Technology Centre View

The Monash Blockchain Technology Centre is advancing blockchain technology for the greatest social impact. MBTC researchers have been working with Monash University supply chain experts in Monash Business School and Law, helping tailor research work into usable solutions – some of which are being licensed by commercial adopters. Each supply chain is different, and many overlap when key functions like manufacturing and logistics are outsourced to service providers.

Blockchain data architecture is not only scalable and immutable, but provides a trusted supply chain record that can dramatically improve data interchange, support dispute resolution, and speed governance activities like auditing. Complemented by new data collected from enabling technologies – for example, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors monitoring temperature, humidity, vibration and other physical attributes – it becomes easy for any supply-chain participant to validate the entire history of any specific product.

Trials are steadily increasing awareness of blockchain technology, pushing it to the national level after the Australian government this year published its formal National Blockchain Roadmap.

Trafficking and Slavery Research Group View

The Trafficking and Slavery Research Group at Monash is working for change for a future free of exploitation. As leading researchers and practitioners, the group is building the evidence base for policy, criminal justice and corporate responses to modern slavery.

Through strong relational partnerships and bringing together the different perspectives of criminology, law, social work and operations and supply chain management disciplines the centre is working towards real and sustained impact in reducing exploitation.

Monash Business and Sustainability Network View

The Monash Business and Sustainability Network is an interdisciplinary collaboration that draws upon the extensive expertise in sustainable business and economics found at Monash's campuses, both in Australia and internationally.

The Network's objective is to promote high-quality research and education focusing on the interaction between sustainability and good business practices. The network hosts an annual Monash Business and Sustainability Network Workshop on sustainable development at the Monash University Prato Centre.

2020 Publications Performance View

Mean Field Weighted Citation Impact of Monash Outputs: 2.35

Number of Monash Research Outputs: 170

Education

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Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management View

The Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management looks at the driving forces behind the global tourism economy and how tourism can be compatible with the development of sustainable organisations, urban and rural development/regeneration, natural resource management, as well as the diversifying benefits from international and domestic tourism.

It facilitates the development of skills and techniques to develop tourism policies and practices in a global setting and to manage tourism development and enterprises in the direction of more sustainable practice.

Unit statistics and highlights View

In 2020, 91 units directly related to SDG8 were offered across Monash University, with a total enrolment of 8,075 students.

The units highlighted below are a small sample of the units at Monash relating to decent work and economic growth:

APG5067 Cultural economy and sustainable development
ECB2141 Economics of labour markets
ECC4670 Economic development

Engagement

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Growth through transformation View

To help governments to rapidly pivot economies away from emissions-intensive growth and towards green growth in the COVID-19 recovery, Monash-hosted Climateworks Centre developed a guide: Growth through transformation: An investment vision guide for climate and development.

The guide outlines a five-part process to equip decision-makers with tools to unlock green finance and achieve maximum outcomes with economic recovery, climate and sustainable development. It can help prioritise sectors and industries that have growth and jobs potential over the coming decade, while identifying risks associated with a low-carbon transition.

Future skills for Victoria View

In 2020, a team of experts in policy and systems reform from the Monash Sustainable Development Institute provided strategic advice to a Victorian Government Review into how the state’s training system could better equip Victorians with the skills needed for a growing, sustainable economy. Working closely with the Department of Education, our team facilitated workshops with the Review’s advisory groups, engaged with stakeholders on submissions, and contributed to the report writing, which sets out recommendations to re-imagine a more effective system.

Operations

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Modern slavery View

Monash University supports universal human rights and stands strongly against all forms of modern slavery and we are committed to actively seek out and address any potential instances of modern slavery within our global operations and supply chain.

Through the 2020 Modern Slavery Act Report, our first report under the Modern Slavery Act 2018, we demonstrate how Monash is working to identify the risks of modern slavery in our operations and supply chain, and the actions we have taken to address those risks. This is part of our five-year continuous improvement program to systematically address modern slavery within our operations and supply chain.

Employment security View

In 2020, the median length of service of Monash staff was 4.2 years. The challenges brought by COVID-19 resulted in the rethinking and recasting of staffing and sustainability initiatives in order to maintain an engaged, effective and talented workforce and leadership. A variation to the Monash Enterprise Agreement, using the Jobs Protection Framework, was delivered, along with a subsequent Voluntary Separation Packages program. Flex@Monash was also implemented to deploy staff across the University, as demand in some areas increased and others had to close due to COVID restrictions.

Pay equity View

We are committed to closing the University’s organisation-wide gender pay gap. Our Vice-Chancellor is a Pay Equity Ambassador and a visible champion of pay equity and gender equality. Our pay equity target: To halve our organisation-wide gender pay gap by 2022. See a summary of our targets and progress in our ESG Report.

Equal opportunity View

Monash is committed to promoting equal opportunity in employment, education and service delivery in accordance with universal principles of equity, fairness and social justice and in compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

We recognise that honesty, fairness and mutual respect and the responsible exercise of power are fundamental to achieving equity for all. We seek to provide an inclusive and flexible environment for staff and students by identifying and removing any remaining systemic barriers to equitable access and participation.

Economic impact View

Monash has 17,562 total staff (9,950 FTE) and total operating expenses of $2,653.1M from continuing operations in 2020.