Image
SDG : Quality education

Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development. Major progress has been made towards increasing access to education at all levels and increasing enrolment rates in schools particularly for women and girls. Basic literacy skills have improved tremendously, yet bolder efforts are needed to make even greater strides for achieving universal education goals. For example, the world has achieved equality in primary education between girls and boys, but few countries have achieved that target at all levels of education.

Learn more about this goal

Actions associated

News associated

IAU and COPERNICUS Alliance join forces to work on HESD

IAU and COPERNICUS Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD).

IAU 15th General Conference - Speakers’ presentations available online

From November 13 to 16, the IAU held its 15th General Conference in Bangkok which was hosted by a consortium of Thai universities.

2017 Release of "Higher Education Paving the Way to Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective"

The IAU launched the report of its 2016 global survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD).

IAU joined the 2017 International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals: Actors and Implementation

On September 18-19, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia hosted the International Conference on SDGs organized by the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi). IAU Secretary General, Dr. Hilligje van't Land, was one of the speaker.

IAU, ACU & AUF sign a Memorandum of Understanding - 2020

During the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF) 2020, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), and the International Association of Universities (IAU) have formalised their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Together, the three associations represent more than 2,000 higher education institutions across more than 140 countries – providing a strong base to advocate for higher education on a wide international scale.

International Women's Day 2021: IAU launches new Publication on SDG 5 Gender Equality

On the 8th of March, 2021, the IAU launched a free online publication prepared with the University of Bologna on University actions towards SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Berlin Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development adopted at UNESCO ESD Conference (17-19 May 2021)

IAU applauds to the adoption and the strong call for engagement for ESD at all education levels, including Higher Education

Joint paper on WIA - IAU HESD Cluster on SDG 4

Read the article on "A whole-institution approach towards sustainability: a crucial aspect of higher education’s individual and collective engagement with the SDGs and beyond" with contributions from the IAU HESD Cluster (2021)

Publication launched! Higher Education Engages with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Discover the publication launched during the webinar on 23 November!

UNITWIN Network on ESD and Social Transformation (UNiESD&ST) launched

The newly launched network will foster sustainability learning with teacher education and capacity building

2022 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum

“Reclaiming our future through education on ethics and integrity” on 1st April , 11.30-1pm CEST .

UN Transforming Education Summit

The United Nations Secretary-General is convening the Transforming Education Summit (TES) during the 77th UN General Assembly.

Join the Solutions Summit on Green Jobs

Solutions Summit for HigherEd, Employers, Students

Webinar: Exploring the nexus between health, equity, and gender

Organised by IAU and UOC (Open University of Catalonia) - Watch the recording now!

Calling Students to take part in Unesco Transforming Education Survey

Contribute to the discussion and make your voice heard for transforming education for a sustainable future! Share and support students if you are a teacher.

HESI+10 Global Forum

Role of higher education in building back better from COVID-19 and advancing the 2030 Agenda

Transforming Education Youth Declaration 2022 & TES follow up

Read the Youth Declaration launched on 19 September for the UN Transforming Education Summit in NYC and explore the Transforming Education Hub

COP27 - Climate Action and Education

Education will play an important role at the 2022 COP in Egypt

MECCE Interactive Data Platform

Just on time for COP27, the MECCE project launched a data platform to explore climate communication and education (CCE) and ACE actions from different countries

SOTG 2022 - Call for Participation of Youth Engagement Program

Sustainable on the Go Youth Engagement Program - deadline for applications extended to 3 June

Join World Climate Day 8 December 2022

IAU joins World Climate Day on 8th December at 14h CET, organised by the Green office at the University of Liège (Belgium), in partnership with AUF

Watch the EWORA & IAU webinar on Higher Education, Gender and Equity

A day before International Women's day 2023, IAU and EWORA have partnered for a discussion on higher education's role for SDG 5 and equity

Nominations open for 2023 UNESCO-Japan ESD Prize

Do you know of an innovative and established project for ESD? Consider suggesting it for nomination for the UNESCO-Japan ESD Prize!

MECCE - Funded Case Studies: Call for Proposals

Could your university or project be a case study of a climate change communication and education initiative? Learn more and apply- deadline extended to 26 February

TASK™ – The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge – has officially launched!

Sulitest launches TASK™️ - The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge - with the ambition to transform education by making sustainability the universal language.

A Guide to Help Organize Responsible and Sustainable Events

The Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique - National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS), has introduced a new guide for community members who wish to organize events that are inclusive, accessible, zero waste, and low carbon.

2023 HESI Global Forum

Don't miss the 2023 HESI Global Forum which will take place on Monday, 17 July 2023! Registration is now open both in person and virtually!

ESD-Net 2030 Learning Webinar on ESD Pedagogies

The third edition of the ESD-Net learning webinar which will take place on Wednesday, 31st of May 2023, 13:00-15:00 CET. This will be the occasion to take part in distinct workshops that will highlight innovative practices and key competencies in ESD through a broad range of topics and issues. You will be invited to contribute to knowledge-sharing activities, collaboration, and mutual learning to strengthen your knowledge of ESD pedagogical approaches and capacity to implement ESD in your local context.

ANGEL Conference 2023

Conceived as a major, internationally focused gathering, the ANGEL Conference 2023 aims to bring together interested parties from all backgrounds for two exciting days of sessions showcasing and discussing research, projects, and new developments connected to Global Education and Learning or Global Citizenship Education, and other related fields
such as Development Education, Human Rights Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Education for Peace, and Intercultural Education.

UNESCO in action for gender equality: 2022-2023 Report

During the UNESCO General Conference, UNESCO launched a new report on gender equality. IAU was pleased to attend the launch event on 7 November 2023.

IAU-UOC Webinar: The Mental Health Crisis - Building Resilience in a Changing World

//Watch the recording & read the event summary// Addressing Mental Health issues of students and staff at universities and taking preventive measures through information and e-health tools were some of the examples described by experts during this webinar.

Greening Education Hub at COP 28 and related activities

Education and Higher Education at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) taking place in Dubai from 30 November -12 December 2023.

Transforming Education Together: 2023 ESD-NET Global Meeting in Tokyo

The ESD-NET Global Meeting in Tokyo, which commenced on December 18, 2023, marked a successful gathering at the United Nations University with the presence of representatives from more than 80 countries. This year’s meeting focused on sharing the implementation and progress of the ESD-2030 national initiatives, trends, challenges and innovations within the framework of Agenda 2030 and discussing the action points for the next two years 2024-2025.

Call for African Universities and Scholars to Apply to the CADFP Programme

The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) is now accepting Project Requests from African host universities and Scholar Applications from qualified African academics in the diaspora in the United States and Canada.

Spotlight #1 on pilot participants - IAU and SOS Responsible Futures Programme

Learn about the participants in this international pilot and their achievements so far in the journey of integrating ESD at the whole institution. First up: Trinity College Dublin in Ireland!

MECCE Call for Proposals on Climate Change Education

Submit an application to conduct a case study of climate change communication and/or climate change education.

IAU-EWORA Webinar: Tackling the Leaky Pipeline in Academic Leadership

IAU and EWORA organised a discussion ahead of International Women's Day, on "Tackling the Leaky Pipeline in Academic Leadership". Watch the recording now!

UNESCO launches new publications for “Greening Education Partnership”

On World Environment Day, UNESCO unveils two new concrete tools for greening schools and curricula, highlighting the need to empower young people to play a concrete role in tackling the climate crisis.

Mediterranean Universities Gender Equality Pioneers 2024

Apply by October 15, 2024, to be recognized as a leading Mediterranean university on gender equality.

Spotlight #6 on pilot participants - IAU and SOS Responsible Futures Programme

Learn about the participants in this international pilot and their achievements so far in the journey of integrating ESD at the whole institution. We're pleased this month to highlight Responsible Futures International pilot institution University of the West Indies (UWI, several locations in the Caribbean).

UOC and IAU SDG 3 Cluster Webinar: Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Universities

Join the discussion around "Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Universities" on the occasion of World Mental Health Day in October. IAU and UOC, with the SDG 3 Cluster organise two webinars, which will be conducted in English and Spanish, to explore how universities are addressing the mental health and wellbeing of their staff and students.

Higher Education and COP29

As the world prepares for COP29, the IAU looks at how higher education is engaged.

Re-thinking higher education and inspiring transformation for a more sustainable future

We live in times when urgency demands agency in HE towards sustainability. This session approaches this conundrum and asks how higher education stakeholders can cut through the noise and shape policy and practice to repurpose education towards the common good and well-being of people and planet.