From September 18-24, 2024, our Co-founder Renars Raubiskis attended the UN Summit of the Future Action Days and the 8th NYC Green Mentors Conference.
Renars attended the conference on behalf of and with the direct support of the Fondazione di ricerca scientifica ed umanistica Antonio Meneghetti and the Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. We issue our most sincere gratitude to the organisations for making this opportunity possible!
The 2024 United Nations Summit of the Future, held from September 20-21 at the UN Headquarters, focused on digital transformation. Specifically, the “Digital Futures for All” session brought critical insights into technology governance, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative, adaptive approach to challenges in AI, data privacy, and digital infrastructure. It was inspiring to see a call for humility from policymakers, highlighting the need for continuous learning with experts and affected communities.
Renars had the opportunity to talk to ITU Secretary-General, H.E. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, and expressed appreciation for her commitment to advancing gender equality and economic growth in the digital sector.
Hortus Lizori @ 8NYC Green Mentors Conference at the Cornell University’s ILR Centre
At the 8th NYC Green Mentors Conference, held at Cornell University’s ILR Centre on September 23–24, 2024, Renars had a different agenda. Renars presented the Hortus Lizori project as an innovative example of how higher education can actively support rural revitalization and sustainable development. The presentation, based on the research of Dr. Fabio Bianconi and Dr. Marco Filippucci, professors at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Perugia, outlined how the project connects education, research, civic engagement, and heritage preservation in rural areas through a model that has already engaged more than 30 universities across Europe and beyond. The Hortus Lizori initiative is led by the Antonio Meneghetti Scientific and Humanistic Research Foundation, a Swiss non-profit in United Nations (UN) Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC.
The initiative also serves as a model for knowledge transfer and capacity-building in rural areas, emphasizing the integration of education and heritage preservation. The Meneghetti Foundation continues to expand its work internationally, sharing its methods with other academic institutions, professional networks, and administrative bodies interested in replicating the approach. We kindly invite you to take a look at their website and find out more about this hidden gem!
At the close of the Green Mentors conference, our own Renars Raubiskis, as the Head of International Relations and Project Management, Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, was awarded the 2024 International Green Mentors Award, in recognition of his contributions to education-focused sustainability work and his active promotion of the Hortus Lizori project as a scalable model for greening education and empowering rural communities.
After the Summit, The Lyra Digital Development & AI Governance Hub was established. The NGO alligns its work with the UN Global Digital Compact, which is a part of the “Pact of the Future” presented at the Summit. It aims to ensure that digital technologies are used responsibly and for the benefit of all, while addressing the digital divide and fostering a safe and inclusive digital environment.
Once again, our profound and heartfelt thanks go personally to Dr. Pamela Bernabei, president of the Antonio Meneghetti Scientific and Humanistic Research Foundation, and Dr. Nina Linde, Director of the Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, for making this experience not only achievable but truly inspiring. The insights and ideas cultivated during these events significantly benefit both the Foundation and the Institute, and the Lyra Initiative, providing fertile ground for exciting new initiatives and collaborations. Without your extraordinary support, our shared commitment to sustainable development would undoubtedly face far greater challenges. Your kindness, vision, and direct assistance are immensely appreciated!