“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship, and strengthen governance.” These are the words of United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about the future’s sustainabilty.
In the present world in dire need of sustainable development, can technology play a big role? Can technology be enabled for sustainability? The answer might just be yes. In this year’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) by the Department of Science and Technology entitled “Science for the People: Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Development”, technology become solutions to community issues. The technological innovations of today can help achieve the United Nation’s developmental goals.
Last July 17 to 21, 2019, the World Trade Center in Pasay City lit up with practical and ingenious innovations that can definitely shape a more sustainable future. As this year theme says, the whole place became an Innovation Park that lights the future. The World Trade Center was filled with practical creations in health technology, research and development, and disaster resilience among others. The Innovation Park exhibits promised a brighter and more sustainable future for the Philippines.
As an active participant and exhibitor in the 2019 National Science and Technology Week, USHER (Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System) was able to showcase to visitors the importance of structural monitoring and structure resilience. Since the horrifying buzz of the Big One earthquake came out, citizens have been rightly concerned with earthquake preparedness. USHER became more than concerned, it took practical steps.
The steps USHER took led its team all the way to the 2019 NSTW. Located in Cluster 1 of the Innovation Park, which is for Energy, Natural Source Environment on Water and Food, the USHER exhibit was a hit with visitors as they participated in contests and games. Game winners received giveaways and the event generated additional social media likes for USHER Technologies.
As part of the UN’s sustainable goals, USHER would like to bring light to disaster preparedness by involving everyone, including today’s youth. USHER’s booth was fortunate enough to have been visited by various Junior and Senior high school students from different institutions in Metro Manila. This year’s NSTW showed that learning and awareness can always be fun without demeaning the real message. USHER’s message revolves around earthquake resilience and contribution to society’s sustainable development.