About

The Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) is the federation of higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium (French-speaking Community of Belgium). ARES is responsible to ensure the fulfillment of academic, research, and community service missions of HEIs while promoting collaboration among them at regional, national and international levels, all while respecting their academic independence. ARES brings together some 120 institutions, including universities, university colleges, schools of arts and adult higher education. ARES employs about 80 people, specializing in academic affairs, international cooperation and international relations. Sustainability is a cross-cutting issue that is addressed specifically in each department, and through several events each year. You can explore events and activities of ARES here. 

Sustainability at ARES

The Sustainable Development (SD) Commission is one of ARES' eighteen thematic commissions, bringing together representatives from HEIs. This Commission aims to support HEIs in implementing sustainable development / ecological and social transition approaches, both in their management and their core missions of teaching, research and community service. The SD Commission’s tasks include drawing up recommendations for the government and fostering a community of practice through the exchange of experiences, resources or tools. The Commission manages an annual call for projects that funds sustainable initiatives on campuses. The funded projects are then summarized in “best practice” reports available on the ARES website. 

In 2023, ARES received funding from the Walloon Region to support a part-time coordination position in each institution (universities, university colleges and schools of arts) dedicated to sustainability for a three-year period. An ARES project manager is responsible for creating and facilitating a network to accompany these coordinators in developing and implementing sustainability plans. The same grant will also fund three two-year action-research projects on education for sustainable development in higher education.