The students of the Master of Intellectual Property and Development Policy (MIPD) program at KDI School recently engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the 2024 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) report. The session was led by visiting Professor Jay Erstling, an esteemed authority in international intellectual property law, educator, and consultant.

Professor Erstling's lecture centered on the 2024 SDGs report, offering students a fresh perspective on how intellectual property intersects with sustainable development. The report, which reviews global progress toward the United Nations’ 17 SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), covers a wide range of issues from climate action to economic growth and includes key updates on the world’s pursuit of the goals. Professor Erstling highlighted how IP can be a pivotal driver in this endeavor and the complexities involved in balancing innovation incentives with public access, related to SDG9.

Professor Erstling emphasized that, when managed responsibly, IP can accelerate progress by rewarding inventions and innovations that align with sustainability goals, such as clean energy, healthcare access, and climate resilience.

The discussion also covered challenges and critiques of intellectual property systems, especially regarding access and equity. Professor Erstling explored the tension between protecting IP and ensuring that essential innovations, like those related to health or environmental technologies, are accessible to developing countries. He encouraged students to think critically about ways to create an IP framework that supports sustainable development globally while reducing disparities between countries at various levels of development.

One of my key takeaways from the Professor's discussion was how WIPO was incorporating intellectual property in fostering the Sustainable Development Goals into their agenda, for example, the 2024 WIPO theme was IP and the SDGs. He emphasized that the world will be a better place with IP and the SDGs being interdependent.

Students actively participated, raising questions about how international IP regulations, such as those managed by WIPO and the World Trade Organization, impact sustainable development efforts. Below, we share some of their takeaways from the discussion:

Ahmed Faria Nusrat (2024 MIPD, Bangladesh) commented, “Personally, I found the lecture and discussion with Professor Jay quite enlightening. His approach helped clarify how IP mechanisms align with the SDGs, which I found particularly valuable for understanding both the strengths and limitations of international IP systems. Engaging with fellow participants, who brought diverse backgrounds in traditional knowledge and law, further enriched the experience by showcasing real-world applications and challenges of IP in sustainable development. It basically underscored the need for adaptable IP policies that can meet the evolving demands of both local communities and global stakeholders.”

Charlotte Kyomugisha (2024 MIPD, Uganda) had this to say, “The discussion was insightful and opened my eyes to a new way of looking at SDGs and how they relate to intellectual property, all thanks to Professor Jay.”

Robson Ghambi (2024 MIPD, Malawi) said "The discussion with Professor Jay was incredibly enlightening, offering me fresh perspectives on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their connection to intellectual property. His insights helped me see how intellectual property can play a crucial role in advancing these global objectives, particularly in areas like innovation, economic growth, and sustainable industry. Thanks to Professor Jay, I now understand the potential impact of intellectual property on sustainable development in a way I hadn’t considered before."

This engaging discussion highlights the value of interdisciplinary study at the KDI School, equipping future leaders and policymakers with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, especially in intellectual property.