At the invitation of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Geneva Switzerland, Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, provided a thematic report and policy consideration statement at the World Food Forum Thematic Youth Assembly on Supporting Women and Girls in Decent Rural Employment. This Forum, held in technical cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), focused on advancing sustainable economic opportunities for rural women.

Drawing from her research, Dr Cynthia presented insights from extensive interviews and surveys conducted with rural market women - all under the age of 30 - in Enugu State, Nigeria. Her work highlights the structural barriers these women face in securing sustainable livelihoods and achieving economic inclusion.

Dr Umezulike emphasised that “Financial inclusion and economic stabilisation are non-negotiable if rural women are to continue anchoring local economies, strengthening food security, and sustaining their vital role in the agricultural value chain.” Her contribution underscored the urgency of targeted interventions to empower young rural women, ensuring they are financially included, less vulnerable to economic shocks and remain key drivers of resilient and sustainable food systems

Congratulations! 🎉 to the few selected delegates for the prestigious Advocacy and Social Action Development Program Cohort II at the University of Bedfordshire UK, Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transition, and Climate Change (CSDETCC), standing out among over 300 applications from across the world.

This selection is a testament to your passion, dedication, and commitment to driving social change and sustainable impact. As a participant in this transformative program, you are joining a global network of emerging leaders, change-makers, and advocates dedicated to shaping a more equitable, sustainable, and just world.

This opportunity is more than just an academic milestone—it is a platform to refine your leadership skills, engage in critical discourse, and implement actionable solutions for the most pressing challenges in sustainability, human rights, climate justice, and social impact. We encourage you to approach this journey with curiosity, resilience, and a bold vision for change.

Your selection marks the beginning of an incredible experience where you will be challenged to innovate, inspire, and contribute meaningfully to your communities and beyond. We look forward to seeing you embrace this opportunity, collaborate with fellow leaders, and make a lasting impact through advocacy and social action.

Welcome to a community of visionaries, problem-solvers, and global advocates. We are excited to support you in this journey toward shaping a brighter and more sustainable future.

Let the transformation begin!

It has been our absolute pleasure to conclude the 2025 Advocacy and Social Action Development Program University of Bedfordshire Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transitions and Climate Change.

Over the past five weeks, we welcomed over 300 applications from across the globe, selecting 20 outstanding delegates representing 14 countries. This intensive program was designed to equip participants with critical knowledge and practical skills to tackle urgent issues in social action, sustainable development, and environmental advocacy.

We are especially proud of our graduating cohort, those who demonstrated unwavering commitment by attending all sessions and fulfilling the rigorous certification criteria.

Our deepest gratitude goes to our exceptional speakers who generously shared their time, insights, and expertise:

• Rose Heathcote
• Dr Obinna C Edeji, FHEA
• Angela Nikolić-Duarte, MSc, LLM
• Victoria Jory
• Heritage Sanmi-Lawal

Your contributions have been both invaluable and inspiring.

Congratulations to our award-winning delegates:

Lukman Audu – Best and Most Committed Delegate

Oualid Aattouch – Best Reflective Essay Award

We trust that the knowledge and experiences gained through this program will empower our delegates to become transformative leaders, grassroots advocates, and critical thinkers committed to creating positive change in their communities. To all our graduates, we celebrate your achievement and wish you continued success in your advocacy and leadership journeys.

We are thrilled to announce that the Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transitions, and Climate Change at the University of Bedfordshire has been awarded the Society of Legal Scholars Climate Crises Fund to lead the 2025 Climate Sustainability Awareness Campaign.

This timely and important campaign will serve as a flagship initiative that directly supports both our faculty’s mission and the University’s broader sustainability strategy. It aligns with our collective ambition to:

• Achieve carbon net-zero
• Enhance biodiversity across our campuses
• Cultivate a strong, action-oriented culture of environmental responsibility among our students, staff, and the wider community.

The campaign will feature a vibrant and inclusive programme of activities designed to inspire action and deepen awareness of the climate crisis, including:

• An in-person public lecture and green lunch exploring critical climate issues,
• A workshop/seminar engaging students and stakeholders in sustainability dialogue and solutions
• A tree planting exercise to contribute to local carbon sequestration and ecological restoration
• A dynamic digital media campaign aimed at amplifying awareness and driving participation.

This campaign reflects our deep commitment to transforming sustainability from vision to reality—through education, community engagement, and practical initiatives on the ground.

We look forward to welcoming students, staff, partners, and the wider public to join us in this important effort to build a more sustainable future.

These initiatives are designed to translate the University’s sustainability goals into tangible action, encouraging inclusive participation and amplifying our shared commitment to environmental stewardship.

Title: The Justice Nexus: Contemporary Human Rights, Sustainability, and Climate Action Debates

We are pleased to invite submissions for an upcoming edited book titled The Justice Nexus: Contemporary Human Rights, Sustainability, and Climate Action Debates, to be published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing Ltd.

This collection seeks to critically explore the interconnectedness of human rights, sustainability, and climate action, emphasizing how aligning these domains can lead to more just, equitable, and inclusive outcomes—particularly for communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

In the context of intensifying environmental crises and global inequality, the volume will offer a platform for interdisciplinary contributions from scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. Submissions should examine how climate-related policies and sustainable development efforts can be harmonized with human rights frameworks, and how this integration can guide inclusive and rights-based approaches to governance, resilience, and environmental justice. The collection aims to bridge theory and practice by offering actionable recommendations and policy-relevant insights for ensuring that climate action and sustainable development are grounded in human rights principles.

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstract deadline: May 20, 2025
• Full chapter submission: August 20, 2025
• Abstract length: 250–300 words
• Details to include: Author name(s), institutional affiliation, email address, and a short bio (100 words).

Submissions and inquiries should be sent to: csdetcc@beds.ac.uk

We welcome contributions from both emerging and established voices working at the intersection of human rights, climate policy, and sustainable development. Be part of a timely and critical publication advancing global discourse on climate justice, equity, and sustainability.