UNESCO has established the UNESCO Chair in Sustainability Law Futures at SMU, with Associate Professor of Law Michelle Lim as the appointed Chairholder. Launched in 1992, the UNESCO Chairs Programme establishes a network of over 1,100 UNESCO Chairs across 130 countries that supports UNESCO’s work in education, the natural and social sciences, culture, and communication, to help address pressing challenges and contribute to the development of their societies. The UNESCO Chair in Sustainability Law Futures will advance futures-oriented legal frameworks that address complex sustainability challenges, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and support policymakers and communities in shaping resilient governance solutions.
Assoc Prof Lim said, “Sustainability challenges are evolving rapidly, and legal systems must be able to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities. Through this UNESCO Chair, we hope to bring together scholars, policymakers and communities to explore futures approaches to sustainability law. SMU President Professor Lily Kong said that aligned with the University’s SMU2030 strategic plan, the UNESCO Chair in Sustainability Law Futures embodies our vision of creating knowledge that matters and will leave a lasting mark on sustainable development.