UNITAR Archives - News@91��ɫ

Raising the voice of HE on the global sustainability stage

suhasini — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 21:35:39 +0000

Rankings of university sustainability practices and their impact have been “rocket fuel” for institutions that participate, says Professor Charles Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability. He was at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), where multiple higher education events took place on the sidelines.

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91��ɫ’s global leadership in sustainability gains momentum

suhasini — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 21:07:04 +0000

91��ɫ’s research excellence, top-notch training facilities and steadfast commitment to sustainability goals attract international partnerships

91��ɫ is gaining prominence through partnerships with Canadian and international governments, multinational corporations and non-profit organizations for its impactful global leadership in sustainability, research expertise, state-of-the-art training facilities and overarching commitment to a sustainable future .

A recent testament to this global recognition was the opportunity 91��ɫ earned to co-host an official side event on tackling the water sustainability crisis at the United Nations (UN) in New 91��ɫ as a partner of the UN Institute for Training and Research (). The annual forum takes stock on the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speakers at the UN High-level Political Forum side event hosted by 91��ɫ, “Pathways to Resilience: Advancing Solutions for Global Freshwater Quality,” as the academic lead of UNITAR’s .

91��ɫ was also part of two other high-profile events co-hosted by UNITAR and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that focused on the role of higher education institutions in overcoming global sustainability challenges. Representatives of institutions from eight countries engaged in discussions and developed shared recommendations on how to reimagine higher education leadership. The results were presented in an official HLPF side event hosted by UNITAR with several ambassadors, UN and government officials present.

91��ɫ’s involvement is grounded in partnerships with UNITAR and UNESCO. The University hosts Canada’s first CIFAL training center as part of UNITAR’s global network of institutions. Since 1999, 91��ɫ has also been hosting the world’s first UNESCO Chair in Education for Sustainable Development.

At the mid-July HLPF, 91��ɫ hosted “Pathways to Resilience: Advancing Solutions for Global Freshwater Quality,” as the academic lead of UNITAR’s . Panellists emphasized the importance of international networks for water quality education and the need for training, capacity-building, knowledge mobilization and sharing.

“By fostering collaboration and sharing available solutions, we can leverage water as a catalyst for health, equality, and well-being, as well as advocate for peace and protecting a shared world,” said Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation at 91��ɫ, in his opening remarks. He also highlighted how Canada’s Indigenous communities still don’t have access to clean drinking water, noting Indigenous women often bear the brunt of it due to their traditional role of caring for the water, household management, and caregiving.

In his remarks, Alex Mejia, director of UNITAR’s division for people and social inclusion stressed the importance of empowering communities to create more sustainable solutions for the future and to achieve the objectives of SDG 6, which is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Panellists further analyzed environmental and other drivers that exacerbated the deterioration of global freshwater quality while citing climate change, industrial pollution, and extreme climatic events as reasons for intensified water degradation. They discussed actionable solutions, including enhanced monitoring, refined management of freshwater resources, transboundary governance, and policy refinement aligning with SDG 6 targets, for effective management.

Sapna Sharma, academic director of UNITAR’s
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91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science Professor Sapna Sharma, academic director of UNGWA moderated the discussion. She noted that reducing the use of fertilizer, changing the timing of applying fertilizer (to limit the amount of nutrients entering into lakes), promoting green infrastructure in urban and suburban environments to reduce water run-off, conserving wetlands, and restoring vegetation will also help to preserve freshwater.

91��ɫ Civil Engineering Professor Stephanie Gora on the other hand highlighted the multifaceted nature of water management, covering infrastructure, policy development, funding, and governance in remote arctic landscapes. She pointed out the critical role of operators in making water systems work and advocated for a multivariate approach tailored to the unique challenges of each location to ensure safe drinking water is preserved for all.

’s Chief Data Officer Duncan Ross closed the panel discussion by emphasizing the role of higher education in achieving the SDGs. “Universities are custodians of common goals,” he said, adding that higher education institutions are key in teaching as well as learning from one another.

Ross also attended the other HLPF official side event that 91��ɫ took a key role in, which explored how higher education institutions must become equal partners in achieving SDGs to overcome global challenges.

Moderated by UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNITAR Executive Director Nikhil Seth, speakers emphasized the potential of higher education to model sustainability and to demonstrate international collaboration towards achieving just societies built on a sense of equality and trust, knowledge exchange, and societal impact.

Speaking at the event, “Higher Education Institutions as critical partners in design and delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions,” 91��ɫ’s UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability Professor Charles Hopkins said, "By reimagining sustainable leadership and reframing the purpose of higher education towards providing evidence-based knowledge and serving their communities, universities drive societal transformations and foster innovation and relations. They play a pivotal role in achieving the SDGs by equipping the next generation with the knowledge, competencies, and skills needed to act for a sustainable future."

Hopkins was also a speaker at the UNESCO-UNITAR Leadership Dialogue, where sustainability leaders in higher education had converged to discuss the important role of higher education institutions in society.

Patrick Paul Walsh, vice president of UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and university leaders from Australia, Canada, Germany, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States attended.

UNESCO Chair at 91��ɫ Professor Charles Hopkins addressing the UNESCO-UNITAR Leadership Dialogue. UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNITAR Executive Director Nikhil Seth (left), moderated the session attended by higher education leaders from around the world

Participants discussed the role of higher education institutions in youth and community engagement, spearheading and accompanying educational, social and technological innovations through inter-disciplinary research, engaging with diverse ways of knowing, challenging intersecting inequalities, creating cultural change for gender equity and building strong and meaningful collaboration and partnerships.

“Continued conversations like the Leadership Dialogue initiated by UNESCO and UNITAR are crucial to develop a shared voice to advocate in global policymaking. Universities are living laboratories for the future of society,” said Hopkins, who spoke at the “Visioning” session, as an educator who has been leading thinking on sustainability, SDGs, and inclusion.

91��ɫ’s UNESCO Co-Chair in Reorienting education to sustainability, Katrin Kohl, moderated a session that provided space for participants to share innovative solutions and successful transformations implemented in their respective institutions. They created a recommendation based on common themes emerging out of the discussion, that was shared with the broader global higher education community at the UNITAR side event.

Speaking to on the heels of the HLPF, Hopkins said rankings of university sustainability practices and their impact have been “rocket fuel” for institutions that participate. “In my own university, which has chosen to participate in the rankings, sustainability is now front and centre.”

91��ɫ’s impactful global leadership in sustainability is evident in the recently announced results of 2024 THE Impact Rankings, which assessed universities around the world against the UN SDGs in research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. 91��ɫ has moved up five spots to 35th in world this year despite stiffer competition than last year with about 2,100 participating universities – approximately 300 more universities than the previous year. 91��ɫ is currently second in the world for SDG 1 (zero poverty) and number one in Canada for SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).

91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91��ɫ's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Gloria Suhasini, 91��ɫ Media Relations and External Communications, 647-463-4354, suhasini@yorku.ca

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First Canadian UN Leadership Training Centre opening at 91��ɫ U

roshanp — Mon, 31 May 2021 14:59:11 +0000

The partnership will establish the first Canadian CIFAL Centre as part of the CIFAL Global Network

TORONTO, May 31, 2021 – As a leader in the effort to a more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable world, 91��ɫ and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research () are proud to announce the establishment of Canada’s first Centre International de Formation des Acteurs Locaux (CIFAL)

CIFAL centres provide innovative training throughout the world and serve as hubs for the exchange of knowledge among government officials, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

91��ɫ Region was selected as the new home of this global initiative. 91��ɫ’s Markham Centre Campus will be the proud home of CIFAL 91��ɫ when it is open and operational. This new partnership with UNITAR recognizes 91��ɫ’s leadership in advancing fundamental and applied research, innovation, and ability to work across traditional boundaries in pioneering new approaches that will help meet society’s most urgent demands.

CIFAL 91��ɫ will be uniquely positioned to help achieve the around emergency and disaster management, diversity and inclusion, economic development, health, and entrepreneurship. The new centre will be a catalyst for positive change and extend 91��ɫ’s global reach that already includes more than 300 university, industry, and NGO partners in over 70 countries.

In addition, CIFAL 91��ɫ will provide a platform for dialogue and a forum for the development of new ideas by providing public servants, decision-makers, and academics in the Western Hemisphere learning opportunities that facilitate knowledge sharing and improve decision-making processes.

“The world is facing complex global problems — from the climate crisis to inequality to rapid technological change to the pandemic — that call for collaboration across sectors and across countries to solve. The creation of this CIFAL Centre, in partnership with UNITAR, will enable us to bring leaders from governments, not-for-profits, and industry together with researchers and educators to share experiences and expertise, and to train new generations of global leaders. We are proud to host CIFAL 91��ɫ as part of our commitment to building a healthier and more just, sustainable, and prosperous world.”

Rhonda L. Lenton - President & Vice-Chancellor of 91��ɫ

“91��ɫ Regional Council and The Regional Municipality of 91��ɫ are proud of the strong partnerships shared with 91��ɫ and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research which have led to a more welcoming and inclusive community for all who call 91��ɫ Region home. In welcoming a CIFAL Centre to 91��ɫ, we are further expanding collaborative opportunities between all levels of government, international organizations, the business community, and the public sector to continue building strong, caring, safe communities where everyone can develop to their full potential.”

Wayne Emmerson - 91��ɫ Region Chairman and CEO

“91��ɫ’s outsized reputation made it an obvious choice when the United Nations, through UNITAR, started thinking of partnering with an academic institution in Canada to share knowledge and best practices. I count academic institutions as one of UNITAR’s most indispensable allies, without whom we cannot hope to achieve the 2030 Agenda,”

Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR.

91��ɫ is also pleased to announce that has agreed to become the new Director of CIFAL 91��ɫ. In collaboration with the , the important work of establishing strategic partnerships to advance the vision will begin June 1, 2021 in temporary offices at 91��ɫ’s Keele campus.

CIFAL 91��ɫ is one of 22 training centres for government authorities around the world and will facilitate face-to-face or online training activities such as seminars, courses, national, and international events. It will also seek to empower local, regional, and international authorities to promote intersectoral partnership and cooperation and improve the well-being of their citizens. Since its inception in 2003, the CIFAL network has reached more than 30,000 beneficiaries through over 400 learning events.

Media Contact:

Yanni Dagonas, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 647-468-7850, yannidag@yorku.ca

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