The book draws upon the expertise and international research collaborations forged by the Worldwide Universities Network Global Africa Group to critically engage with the intersection, in theory and practice, of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa's development agendas and needs. Further, it argues that - and demonstrates how - the SDGs should be understood as an aspirational blueprint for development with multiple meanings that are situated in dynamic and contested terrains. As the SDGs have substantial implications for development policy and resourcing at both the macro and micro levels, their relevance is not only context-specific but should also be assessed in terms of the aspirations and needs of ordinary citizens across the continent. Drawing on analyses and evidence from both the natural and social sciences, the book demonstrates that progress towards the SDGs must meet demands for improving human well-being under diverse and challenging socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. Examples include those from the mining industry, public health, employment and the media. In closing, it highlights how international collaboration in the form of research networks can enhance the production of critical knowledge on and engagement with the SDGs in Africa.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Varieties of Knowledge Society and the SDGs.- Lifelong Learning and the SDGs.- China's Economic Embrace of Africa in Comparative Perspective.- The AU's African Governance Architecture and SDG 16: A critical analysis of intersections.- African Mining and the SDGs: From Vision to Reality?.- Minding the Gap? The Media and the Realization of the SDGs in Kenya.- The SDGs and Human In/Security in Africa: A Ghanaian Example.- SDG 17 and Ghana's Development Agenda.- Research Data Management as a Strategic Imperative for SDGs Scientific Evidence.- Prioritising Health Systems to Achieve SDGs in Africa: A Review of Scientific Evidence.- Prioritising Women's Mental Health for the Achievement of the SDGs in Africa.- Talent Management in South Africa: Women's Experiences in Multinational Organisations.- Securing Inclusive Growth: Mentorship, Youth Employment and Employment Creation in Kenya.- The Challenge of Decent Work in Africa.- Upscaling Agriculture and Food Security in Africa in Pursuit of SDG 1, 2 & 8: What Role Does China Play?