IAU Global Cluster on HESD

The University of Ghana works closely with the government, private sector and local community. Their thematic focus in projects lies on agriculture, poverty, capacity building and youth. They are also working on transportation and jobs, in collaboration with partners addressing other SDGs.

Focal Point: Prof.  David Dodoo-Arhin, Director of Institute of Applied Science and Technology

Satellites

• Makerere University 
• McMaster University, Canada
• Qatar University 
• UNICAMP, Brasil

Observers

• Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan

Antonio Nariño University hosts the Faculty of Environmental Engineering. The faculty promotes the conservation of the environment and the development of sustainable infrastructures. 

Focal Point: María Claudia Coral Betancour, Director of International Relations

 Satellites

• University of Oslo, Norway

Observers

• Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania
• Universidad Federal do Ouro Preto, Brasil

The UOC is an innovative university that is rooted in Catalonia and open to the world. It provides lifelong learning enabling the progress of both individuals and society as a whole, while also carrying out research into the knowledge society.

The UOC's strategic plan has included the 2030 Agenda as part of its roadmap since 2017. The aim is for the whole institution to work towards sustainable development and make a significant contribution to the SDGs.

Located in Barcelona, the University is home to the Faculty of Health Studies and the eHealth Center which, jointly with the Globalization and Cooperation department, lead the SDG 3 Thematic Cluster on HESD. The UOC’s goal in terms of health is to educate and empower professionals and citizens through the use of technologies, and to lead the way towards a new health paradigm. It focuses on people through research, education and guidance, with the aim to contribute to the progress and well-being of society. These will be guiding principles for the SDG 3 team.

The website of the SDG3 Cluster "Universities4GoodHealth" can be found here.

Focal Points: Liv Raphael and Marc Graells Font, consultants eHealth Center

Satellites

• Makerere University, Uganda
• Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana de Mexico 
• University College Dublin, Ireland
• Western Sydney University, Australia

Observers

• Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
• Universidad de Caldas, Colombia

The university hosts the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability

The latest Academic Plan from York University Toronto for 2020-2025 can be found here

Focal Point: Katrin Kohl, Executive Chair Coordinator, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability

Satellites

• Charles University, Czech Republic
• Heidelberg University of Education, Germany
• Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), Norway
• International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
• Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany
• Rhodes University, South Africa

Observers

• University for Peace, Costa Rica

The University promotes SDG5: Gender Equality throughout the whole institution. Alma Gender IRT is an integrated research team.

Focal Points: Christina Demaria,  Delegate of the Rector for equity, inclusion, and diversity, and Daniela Bolzani, Professor.

Satellites

• American International University of Bangladesh, Bangladesh
• Assam Don Bosco University, India
• IOHE Inter-American Organization for Higher Education
• McMaster University, Canada
• Tsukuba University, Japan
• Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain
• Vechta University, Germany

Observers

• UNESP, Brazil

In 2021, the University of Manouba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aimed to make the campus inclusive, resilient and sustainable. The agreement focuses on the development of five axes, namely, a campus that is beautified, safe and accessible to people with special needs.

The other axes concern the improvement of neglected public spaces adjacent to the university's neighborhoods, the embellishment of a multi-service area , the sensitization of the university community to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and an improvement in the relationship between the UMA and its neighboring territory.

Focal Points: Rym Khabouchi (administration) and Habib Chouchane, Professor

Satellites

• Antonio Nariño University, Columbia 
• NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Qatar University, Qatar
• Sophia University, Japan
• University of Bergen, Norway 
• University of Tehran, Iran
• Western Sydney University, Australia

Assam Don Bosco University has committed itself to becoming an EcoFriendly campus. Especially in the field of affordable and clean energy, the university is moving forward.

Focal Points: 

• Fr. Joseph Nellanatt, Pro Vice Chancellor
• Ms. Juhi Baruahjuhi, Human Resources Director
• Dr. Sunil Deka, Assistant Professor (Selection), Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
• Dr. Hironmay Deb, Assistant Professor (Selection), Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Satellites 

• Qatar University, Qatar
• Strathmore University, Kenya

The University of Gothenburg Leads SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

The University hosts several research centres of relevance for SDG 8:

• Work and Employment Research Centre (WE)
• Environment for Development Initiative (EfD)
• Centre of Globalization and Development (GCGD)
• Centre for Tourism (CFT)
• Centre for Global Human Resource Management (CGHRM)
• AgeCap Centre for Ageing and Health
• Centre for Business in Society (CBiS)
• Centre on Global Migration (CGM)

A university for the world, the University of Gothenburg´s Vision 2021-2030 can be found here

Focal Points: Eddi Omrcen, Sustainability Strategist, Gunnar Köhlin, Director of Environment for Development

Satellites

• Makerere University, Uganda
• University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• University of Nairobi, Kenya

Observers

• Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
• University of Concepción, Chile
• University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
• University of Nigeria, Nigeria
• Woxsen University, India

Creative Sustainable Development is one of the key research themes at BAU. 

Website for SDG9 at BAU with information on the SDG 9 mapping activities here. 

Focal Point: Hania Nakkash, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research

Satellite

• Assam Don Bosco University, India 

The University offers a Bachelor’s Program in Global Issues, a comprehensive program focusing on literacy in global issues. Students learn what ‘global issues’ are and how they can be resolved from the perspectives of “Environment” and “the Human being”.

Focal Point: Prof. Muneo Kaigo, Institute for Comparative Research in Human and Social Sciences (ICR), and Prof. Hidehiro Yamamoto 

Satellites

• Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), India
• University of Bologna, Italy
• (joining soon) Utrecht University, Netherlands

Siam University committed itself to ‘sustainable urban development.’ This idea has a high priority for Thailand. The plan is for the country to develop the status of a knowledge based society and urban living. This new urban agenda will ensure Thailand’s focus on creativity, innovation, and development path.

Please click here for a more detailed description of Siam University's initiatives towards the SDGs. 

Focal Point: 

• Prof. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, President, Siam University 
• Dr. Kanjana Mahatanatavee, Dean of the Faculty of Science

Satellites

• American International University Bangladesh, Bangladesh
• Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Pathumthani, Thailand
• Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa
• J.F. Oberlin University. Japan
• Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania
• Tokai University, Japan 

Observers

• University of Surabaya (UBAYA), Indonesia

The Regional Centre for Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development in Saskatchewan is hosted by the Luther College at the University of Regina. It has multiple flagship projects. Among others The Sustainability and Education Policy Network (SEPN); Community Collaboration for Potash Mine Engagement; and Reducing Pesticide Use: Plant Health Care Model.

The latest Academic Plan from the University of Regina and Luther College for 2020-2025 can be found here

Focal Points: Dr. Roger Petry, Professor of Philosophy at Luther College & Co-coordinator, RCE Saskatchewan, and  Ms. Jocelyn Crivea, Director, Sustainability Office, University of Regina

Satellites 

• Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Peru
• Vechta University, Germany

Observers

• Moi University, Kenya
• Nalanda University, India
• Universidad del Bosque, Colombia
• Universitit Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

The University of the West Indies is located in the Caribbean and hence in one of the areas already affected by climate change. The University has multiple initiatives focusing on sustainable development: the Climate Studies Group Mona (CSGM), Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), and the cross-campus UWI Resilience Working Group (UWIRWG).

More on their SDG13 Activities on the website for 'Climate Action' .

Focal Point:  Kevin Manning, Project Coordinator in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor

Satellites

• University of Bergen, Norway
• University of Costa Rica
• University of Ghana, Ghana
• University of the South Pacific, Fiji

Observer

• SUNY, USA
• TERI School of Advances Studies, India
• University of Delaware, USA
• University of Aruba, Aruba
• University of Bristol, UK
• Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
• University of Waterloo, Canada
• University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

The University of Bergen (UiB) is Norway’s largest marine university, with research and education of a high international standard and several world leading research environments. In 2018, a research center to focus on sustainable ocean research was established, the Ocean Sustainability Centre.

Focal Points: Øyvind Fiksen, Professor and Marine Dean

Satellites

• The University of the South Pacific, Fiji
• The University of the West Indies, Jamaica

Observers

• Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany
• Dalhousie University, Canada
• Ocean University of China
• Universidad del Magdalena (UNIMAG), Colombia
• University of Western Australia
• University of Cape Town, South Africa

Costa Rica contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity, making it the country with the highest density of biodiversity worldwide. The University of Costa Rica (UCR) hosts the Centre for Research on Sustainable Development (CIEDES) and conducts relevant research in other areas related to the topic.

Read here about the commitment of the UCR for the SDGs (in Spanish). 

Focal Point: Yorleni Aguila, Head of International Cooperation 

Satellite

• Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN), Norway

The University is home to the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies. The overall aim of the institute is to cultivate better environmental stewardship and management of resources and ultimately a reduction in related conflicts. The mission of the Institute is as follows: "To cultivate positive ethics, values and practices towards the environment by training stewards who foster peace, promote holistic sustainable development, and link theory with practice". 

Focal Point: Dr Thuita Thenya, Director, Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies

Satellites

• James Madison University, USA
• University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Observers

• University of Tokyo, Japan

IAU has promoted higher education teaching, research and community engagement to foster sustainable development since the early 90. Building partnerships and networking for sustainable development and to address the SDGs and Agenda 2030 is inscribed in its DNA.  We are pleased to partner with Universities and HEIs and with committed national and international Organisations to build the synergies that are required to help achieve the goals.

Partner Organisations

A list of IAU partners for HESD can be found here.

Focal Point:

• Dr. Hilligje van't Land, Secretary General
• Isabel Toman, Programme Officer