In a remarkable recognition of his lifelong commitment to sustainability, 91亚色鈥檚 Charles Hopkins has earned the esteemed 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

The award celebrates his significant contributions to education, positioning him among a select group of leaders in higher education and sustainability transformation. Hopkins, who holds the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability at 91亚色, is the seventh recipient since the award鈥檚 inception in 2006 and the first Canadian to receive the award.

Since assuming the role of UNESCO Chair at 91亚色 in 1999, he has dedicated his efforts to integrating sustainable practices into both the curricula and operations of the University. 

Through his leadership, Hopkins has helped develop collaborations between institutions, engaging thousands of learners in activities that aim to address some of the world鈥檚 most pressing environmental challenges. 

Hopkins has also been a driving force for advancing education for sustainable development (ESD) initiatives across the globe. He coordinates two global research networks (the International Network of Teacher Education Institutions and the #IndigenousESD Network), each active in more than 50 countries, and acts as co-director of the Asia-Pacific Institute on ESD in Beijing. 

鈥淎ASHE is honoured to highlight the work of a person who has committed his life鈥檚 work to advancing education for sustainable development," says Meghan Fay Zahniser, executive director of AASHE. "Through decades of international and regional collaborations, Hopkins鈥� work continues to inspire and advance equitable learning across the globe.鈥� 

The award honours outstanding leaders 鈥� both academic and practitioners 鈥� with 10 or more years of impactful contributions to the advancement of sustainability in higher education. 

鈥淭his award symbolizes the collective effort of many passionate individuals at 91亚色 who are dedicated to sustainability,鈥� says Hopkins. 鈥淭ogether, we strive to harness education as a powerful tool for creating meaningful change.鈥� 

Hopkins鈥� extensive commitment to sustainability has positioned 91亚色 as a leader in the field and has contributed to the development of transformative educational practices that cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards.  

To read more about AASHE鈥檚 awards programs, visit . 

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The QS ImpACT Awards notably highlight the outstanding contributions of individuals who have served as catalysts for transformative change on a local and global scale through projects, events and initiatives in local communities or institutions that explored solutions to the sustainability challenges of today.

鈥淚t is crucial to recognize the engagement of young people with the SDGs [United Nations Sustainable Development Goals] with this award ceremony, as it does not only recognize individual achievement but creates a global community of changemakers for sustainability,鈥� says Hopkins.

Youth activism is also critical for sustainable development because it 鈥渃an lead to lasting societal change,鈥� adds Terry.

The 91亚色 members鈥� selection as judges is not only an acknowledgement of their own impact on global sustainability efforts but a recognition that 91亚色 is continuing to strengthen its momentum as a global leader in sustainability, which has included participation and appearances in rankings organized by QS, a leading international company in the education sector and a partner of QS ImpACT.

The award ceremony will be held online on Jan. 18. Register to attend: .

Article published in the January 9, 2024 issue of聽

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91亚色鈥檚 UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability Charles Hopkins, along with Executive Coordinator to the UNESCO Chair Katrin Kohl, will be among 250 experts presenting concepts toward implementing education for sustainable development (ESD) at a global UNESCO meeting in Japan.

鈥淭ransforming education together: ESD-NET Global Meeting鈥� takes place Dec. 18 to 20 and aims to highlight progress on ESD through new country-led initiatives, trends and innovations for the 2030 Agenda 鈥� an action plan to encompass the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UNESCO Chair at 91亚色 focuses on developing and strengthening global networks, as well as creating and fostering research that supports responsible and inclusive policymaking in reorienting education toward sustainability in the SDGs and beyond.

In light of the global climate crisis, humans must learn to live together sustainably and change the way they think and act as individuals and societies, says Kohl. 鈥淓ducation has an important role to play and, in turn, must change to create a peaceful and sustainable world for the survival and prosperity of current and future generations.鈥�

ESD has been identified by the United Nations as an empowering concept to address growing sustainability challenges. The global meeting will serve as a forum to understand how educators can enable learners to develop the knowledge and awareness to act for a better future.

Experts from around to world will unlock ideas for concrete, transformative action and identify specific interventions that can be carried out by UNESCO麓s member states, says Hopkins, who will contribute perspectives on higher education鈥檚 unique roles and how the whole-institution approach, or even a whole-community approach, can come to life. Canada aims to launch its own country initiative on ESD with a pan-Canadian working group in early 2024.

The session 鈥溾�� aims to discuss how to enable higher education institutions to inspire societal change through the lens of education, research and innovation, and how to embed core sustainability competencies within educational programs.

Kohl will co-moderate the 鈥溾�� to create shared projects and research focusing on transformation, technology and governance as future priorities for ESD.

The meeting will take place as a hybrid event at the United Nations University Main Campus in Tokyo. Plenary sessions on the first day will be livestreamed. For more information, visit the .

Article originally published in the December 13, 2023 issue of

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91亚色 UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins will speak at the 2023 Global Conference on Sustainable Development on Oct. 4 and 5 in Hong Kong to discuss how to transform higher education towards embracing sustainability and elevate action to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This is the first international conference organized by the Hong Kong Chapter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The centre of discussion during the conference will be about strengthening the world鈥檚 commitment to the SDGs in all sectors of society and finding solutions to current and future climate and societal challenges.

Hopkins will speak on the potential of education for sustainable development (ESD) in promoting transformative, holistic change in universities, as higher education can play crucial roles in reorienting student learning, supporting a sustainable future with evidence-based knowledge, and providing support for local and global communities.

鈥淪ince ESD has been recognized by the United Nations as a key enabler of all SDGs, it is imperative to be implemented at all levels of education, in particular in higher education, as universities are important influencers within society,鈥� says Hopkins.

In August, Hopkins, as well as Katrin Kohl, executive coordinator to the UNESCO Chair, were appointed members of the High-Level Advisory Council for the SDG Academy, representing SDSN鈥檚 education and training division.

At the upcoming conference, Hopkins will join a group of world-renowned speakers, including Ban Ki-moon, the former United Nations secretary general, and co鈥恈hair of the Ban Ki鈥恗oon Centre for Global Citizens, as well as Professor Jeffrey Sachs, SDSN president. Both will share their visions for a sustainable future and discuss practical solutions from around the world for the implementation of the SDGs.

The event will take place as a hybrid event in-person at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and will be streamed live on Oct. 4 and 5. Online registration is free. More details can be found at .

Article originally published in the September 27, 2023 issue of

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The UN HLPF is the central platform within the United Nations system to track progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. More than 2,700 delegates are expected to attend the meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New 91亚色 from July 10-19. 38 countries and the European Union will present their Voluntary National Review (VNR) on national progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 12 special events, more than 200 side events and 21 exhibits will take place.

91亚色 contributed to 颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 2023 , which will outline the initiatives undertaken in Canada with a focus on quality education, gender equality, climate action and partnership. In their report, 91亚色 highlighted the strategic commitments to elevate action for the SDGs through the University Academic Plan 2020-2025 and other frameworks, such as the Framework on Black Inclusion, the  and the new Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022-2027.

A key enabler, so far the only one recognized by the UN, of all of the SDGs is an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as stated in SDG 4, which 91亚色麓s UNESCO Chair has long been engaged with. The team has also worked with UNESCO and other UN agencies to promote the transformation of education and training systems and to raise public awareness for ESD. At the UN HLPF, Hopkins and Kohl will advocate for the importance of involving higher education institutions in policymaking, for modelling sustainability in the university as whole and the transformative power of quality education.

Article originally post via YFile on July 12, 2023

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For her international engagement with sustainable development, 91亚色鈥檚 Executive Coordinator to the UNESCO Chair, Katrin Kohl, has been awarded a fellowship by The Royal Society of Arts in London.

The Royal Society of Arts recognizes outstanding contributions and thought leadership in positively impacting society for a better future. Members come from all walks of life and branches of learning that align with these values and have contributed to positive change in the arts, humanities or sciences.

As 91亚色麓s UNESCO Chair, Kohl leads research and provides policy advice for education for sustainable development (ESD) 鈥� which is recognized as a key enabler for the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prior to this role, Kohl served in strategic management positions at the University of Duesseldorf (Germany) as well as the German National Commission for UNESCO. She was actively involved in the negotiation process that led to the adoption of the SDGs in 2015.

With this fellowship, 91亚色鈥檚 community is once more recognized as a driving force for positive change and committed to embed the SDGs throughout the whole institution, said Kohl.

Article originally published in the June 24, 2022 issue of .

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There is a powerful tool that can help to address the interconnected global challenges of our time, including climate change, loss of biodiversity, poverty and inequality 鈥� and this tool is education.

Yet how do we hone such a tool to enhance its application and impact? How do we ensure it can be effectively used in different circumstances and communities across the globe? Such questions are at the core of the career-long efforts of Charles Hopkins, 91亚色鈥檚 UNESCO Chair, who received the 2022 Clean50 Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in reorienting education systems towards sustainable development and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

Climate challenges affect us all 鈥� and they cannot be resolved by anything less than a collaborative approach, says Mr. Hopkins. 鈥淲e need to create linkages between governments, academia, business, industry, the arts and civil society. What is required is a sense of responsibility and engagement from everyone to advance a common goal: a better future for all, while 鈥榓ll鈥� is not limited to humans.鈥�

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91亚色 is marking the United Nations International Day of Education theme of 鈥淐hanging Course鈥� with the release of a dynamic new report and website documenting its progress toward the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN Sustainable Development Goal Report is 91亚色鈥檚 first annual progress report on the SDGs. Both the report and its accompanying website share stories of progress and facts about 91亚色鈥檚 leadership, commitment and progress toward the 17 goals through inspirational stories, facts and figures, and forward-looking action.

鈥淚t is inspiring to see how our faculty, course directors, staff and students are taking action to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals in their work as we further our commitment to contributing to positive change on a local and global level,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor.

In 2020, 91亚色 formally declared its commitment to the SDGs, which align with its values, mission and core strengths. The University pledged to become an agent of positive change through global leadership and action on the goals and the converging challenges of a pandemic, rapidly accelerating climate change, racism and xenophobia, increasing global poverty and inequality. In June 2020, the University took a further step in its commitment to the goals when it launched its blueprint for action, , and issued a pan-University challenge to its community to collaborate and act.

The report and website offer an overview of a fraction of the many actions, innovations and research by faculty, staff and students at 91亚色. Both have been created with view that each will continue to evolve as new actions and innovations emerge in the University鈥檚 journey toward contributing to the SDGs. Community members can share their work that relates to the SDGs through a story submission button on the website. As part of the launch of the report and the website, 91亚色 will be sharing stories the SDGs on social media at #91亚色USDGs.

First launched in 2015 and adopted by 193 member states of the UN, the 17 SDGs offer a framework for the global community to take concrete, measurable action in areas considered essential to mitigating humanity鈥檚 harmful impacts on the planet and to ensuring global peace and prosperity.

To learn more about 91亚色鈥檚 demonstrated progress toward the UN SDGs, visit www.yorku.ca/unsdgs, or follow #91亚色USDGs.

Article originally published in the January 21, 2022 issue of .

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91亚色鈥檚 UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins is the recipient of the Clean50 Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on a global scale to reorient education towards sustainable development. This prestigious award recognizes Hopkins鈥� focus on creating a better future for all.

Climate challenges facing Canada can not be resolved by anything less than a collaborative, full assault on every element of the problem. Broad solutions are needed. To create holistic strategies for future economies and imagine better ways of living together in Canada and beyond, thought leaders from all sectors of industry, business, academia, the arts and civil society need to be involved.

颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 award program and annual were founded in 2011 by 颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 leading clean tech and sustainability executive search firm Delta Management Group to bring these sustainability leaders together. In its 10th edition, 颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 Clean50 Awards celebrate the 2022 top sustainability leaders in Canada. Fifty remarkable and inspiring individuals in 16 different categories as well as emerging leaders, Canadian business and five selected sustainability heroes will be recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards during this year鈥檚 summit, which took place Oct. 1. A record number of nominations were received for this year鈥檚 awards.

, 91亚色鈥檚 UNESCO Chair, received the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of dedicated engagement in reorienting education systems towards sustainable development as well as fostering cross-sector thinking connecting academia with business, industry, the arts and the general public towards a better future for all. As one of the early advocates for place-based and experiential learning as a principal of outdoor schools in Canada during the 1970s and 1980s, his list of involvements is long. He presented to the Brundtland Commission and co-authored Chapter 36 in Agenda 21, the first United Nations implementation plan for a more sustainable future, coming out of the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

Since assuming the role of at 91亚色 in 1999, he has been co-ordinating two global research networks, each active in more than 50 countries: the International Network of Teacher Education Institutions and the #IndigenousESD Network. He is advisor to the Global Network of Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD hosted by the United Nations University鈥檚 Institute of Advanced Studies in Sustainability, and co-director of the Asia-Pacific Institute on ESD in Beijing.

As a member of the President's Sustainability Council at 91亚色 and the co-chair of the Knowledge Working Group, Hopkins works to embed the idea of the 鈥渦niversity as a whole鈥� moving towards sustainability, placing sustainable development as a theme in the curriculum, rethinking operations, facilities and management practices, and changing the culture on 91亚色鈥檚 campuses.

As part of its new , 91亚色 articulated its commitment to elevate action on the United Nations鈥� 17 Sustainable Development Goals and contribute meaningfully to building a better future.

Original article published in the October 3, 2021 issue of

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