Partnership as a Sustainable Development Goal

G-STIC started out as an acronym for the ‘Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Conference’, but now the C stands for ‘Community’. Teamwork – at local, national and international levels – is indeed paramount. “To achieve the SDGs, we have to transcend boundaries and barriers. Partnership is so significant that it has even become an SDG on its own: ‘Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development’.”

“We need a new, hybrid conference format with (inter)active elements like site visits, walks and movie nights.”

Even if ‘Conference’ is no longer a part of G-STIC’s name, their yearly convention remains a milestone. The conference landscape has changed drastically in the last years, though, according to Dietrich. “Mass events have become less appealing, yet fully digitised conferences also have their limits. We need a new, hybrid format with (inter)active elements like site visits, innovation tours and movie nights.”

Dietrich and his team may be leading the way with their take on the Flanders Technology & Innovation (FTI) conference in Hasselt, which brings people together around technology and innovation to drive sustainable prosperity. “We are in the lead for FTI Hasselt, and we want to make the festival come to life throughout the city. Everything we organise is tested against the questions ‘Is it locally anchored?’ and ‘Does it have a lasting, positive effect on the city?’ This impact-driven approach is new to us, and we are curious to see the results.”

“What happens on the sidelines of a conference is as important as what happens on stage.”

Aiming for Obama

Earlier this year, Dietrich and his team brought 4,200 participants from 140 countries together in Rio de Janeiro for their sixth conference – the first G-STIC conference in South America, and the first organised by one of their nine international partners. “This event marked a significant milestone that sparked enthusiasm in other countries. The G-STIC Conference in India is up next, and we’re also talking with China, South Africa and Morocco.”

The World Expo in Dubai hosted the 2022 G-STIC Conference, providing Dietrich with an opportunity to talk to the President of Malawi, one of the keynote speakers. “What happens on the sidelines of a conference is as important as what happens on stage. Interesting matches and plans are often made right there.” One of Dietrich’s not-so-secret plans? “To get Obama to speak at a G-STIC Conference. His speeches are a textbook example of how to leave a lasting impact.”