Shailza Taneja
Director, Creative Expression, Visionary Leader & Author of the book Circle For Life on SDGs, India  

As we look toward 2030, my vision is to foster inclusive, diverse, and resilient knowledge societies that empower every individual and community. Supporting the Knowledge for Development Partnership (K4DP), I am committed to building robust knowledge ecosystems that bridge gaps and celebrate the unique strengths across all demographics, creating a future where everyone thrives. To ensure a high quality of life for all while maintaining the health of our planet, it is crucial to establish inclusive and people-centric knowledge societies that enhance diverse and inclusive ecosystems. These societies must ensure full participation of all individuals regardless of gender, migration status, linguistic diversity, disability, or other vulnerabilities, leveraging technology-based solutions to measure effectiveness and inclusiveness. 

Achieving this vision requires fostering multi-stakeholder knowledge partnerships that span sectors and disciplines to generate innovative solutions. Strengthening internationally connected knowledge cities and ensuring their integration with rural areas are essential steps. Additionally, improving knowledge strategies within development organisations will optimise knowledge management. Preserving and democratising knowledge, including digital heritage, is vital, along with ensuring active private sector engagement in fair and local knowledge markets. Measures must be developed to ensure the safety, security, and sustainability of knowledge societies, addressing uncertainties and mitigating the risks.

To support competence in knowledge work, we need to establish education and training capacities that ensure high proficiency in knowledge management. Mobilising higher education institutions to deploy inclusive models addressing real-world problems is essential, and ensuring the effective utilisation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) will facilitate access to knowledge while preserving traditional transmission methods. Strengthening knowledge in arts and culture including literature, performing arts, visual arts, religion, and spirituality, will be crucial. Together, these goals from a comprehensive agenda to harness the transformative power of knowledge for sustainable development, ensuring no one is left behind. By establishing responsive, inclusive, and resilient knowledge societies, we can create a better world for all.

Keywords: inclusive, diverse, resilient, empowerment, sustainability, partnerships.