Massey UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Livelihoods renewed to 2030

The Chair, who sits within Massey’s Industrial Organisational Psychology programme, is charged with advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the goal of “decent work for all” to reduce poverty and inequality.

Professor Carr says the renewal comes at a time when international organisations are facing increasing political and economic pressures and was both encouraging and affirming.

“Given all of the headwinds against sustainability and the sustainable development goals, we are delighted with the news and relieved that UNESCO has chosen to renew its faith in our Chair and Chair group on Sustainable Livelihoods.”

Professor Carr says the work centres on connecting research, teaching and real-world initiatives that support sustainable livelihoods.

“The goal of “Decent work” has four key structural pillars - employment creation; rights at work; social protection and social dialogue. Together, these help deliver sustainable livelihoods that support people, planet and shared prosperity.”

He says his group has led and contributed to a range of global initiatives, including the Global Living Organisational Wage (GLOW) project, which spans more than 30 countries and has helped inform policies aimed at lifting people out of working poverty.

“GLOW has made evidence-based contributions to setting living wages that enable people to actually escape from working poverty traps, in cities in our region as well as in sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Europe.”

More recently, the team has launched the Clean SLATE (Sustainable Livelihoods and the Ecosystem) project, which focuses on supporting transitions to more sustainable forms of work and developing tools to guide individuals, organisations and governments.

The work also extends into teaching and international collaboration, with Massey partnering with institutions across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Pacific to deliver innovative postgraduate training and research initiatives.

Professor Carr says the extension will enable the Chair to expand into emerging areas including security psychology and food security, alongside continued global collaboration. Plans are also underway for a 24-hour international online event bringing together diverse perspectives on what makes livelihoods sustainable.

The UNESCO Chair is supported by a wider team within Massey’s Industrial Organisational Psychology programme, alongside partners across Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.