Utah Valley University and Salt Lake City partnered to welcome the world to the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference. It centered on building sustainable and inclusive communities. By 2050, 68% of the world’s population is expected to live in urban centers.

Thousands of students, scholars, and experts from non-governmental organizations and community leaders gathered to teach, learn, and share ideas. The goal was to create greater understanding and planning for a just and equitable future that includes sustainable housing, clean water and food, reliable infrastructure, and dependable energy systems. The global gathering was one of the largest in Utah since the 2002 Winter Olympics. It was historic, as the first Civil Society Conference held in the United States, outside of New York.