The narrow pursuit of economic growth above all else has come at a tremendous social and environmental cost. Today’s crises are forcing us to ask hard questions about what we value and how we structure our economies. In this talk, Joyce Msuya, deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, will explore the relationship between economic growth and social progress, and highlight ways we can transform our economies to meet today’s biggest social and environmental challenges in ways that improve well-being and prosperity for all.

About Joyce Msuya

Joyce Msuya is Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, having been appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in August 2018. A microbiologist from Tanzania, Ms. Msuya began her career at the World Bank as a public health specialist for Africa in 1998, and now has more than 20 years of experience in international development strategy, operations, knowledge management and partnerships across Africa, Asia and Latin America. She has held a series of high-level positions at the World Bank Group, including the World Bank Institute’s East Asia and Pacific Regional Coordinator in China, Principal Strategy Officer at the International Finance Corporation (Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services) and Special Adviser to Lord Nicholas Stern, World Bank Senior Vice President and Chief Economist. Ms. Msuya has worked across the public and private sectors within the World Bank Group. Between November 2018 and June 2019, Ms. Msuya served as interim Executive Director at the UN Environment Programme, overseeing UNEP’s portfolio in 33 countries and administering nine Multilateral Environmental Agreements on critical environment issues. The University of Strathclyde, where she was an undergraduate, named her their Alumna of the Year for 2019.

The Changing Planet seminar series is run by students and staff on the Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet (SSCP) Doctoral Training Program. It offers the chance to hear the latest in understanding, adapting to and mitigating environmental problems, complementing the diversity of environmental research at Imperial College London and beyond.

Please be aware that our seminars are recorded. If you do not wish to appear on the recording please alert a member of staff. For any further enquiries regarding the Changing Planet seminar series, please contact Anne Houston or Hana Amer.

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