Welcome to the 91ÑÇÉ« UNESCO Chair March 2024 Newsletter!

With the as well as the national on 4-8 March 2024, many universities and other education institutions will showcase achievements and discuss opportunities for new and renewed SDG action. Check out the for events near you or online if you are interested in what others in your region or particular field of research are doing.

As part of global efforts, UNESCO will offer a on the discussion underway in the lead up to the 2024 with A Pact for the Future to be adopted during the Summit. We are excited to announce that we will be speaking in the webinar to highlight the cross-cutting role of education, in particular Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), on our shared path of transforming societies towards a sustainable future. We have already been working closely with the International Association of Universities and with the International Islamic University Malaysia to offer perspectives in the consultation processes. Find more about our .

The month of March is packed with opportunities. We invite you to read this newsletter and share with your networks. Thank you for your interest!

All the best,

Charles Hopkins & Katrin Kohl, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, 91ÑÇÉ« Canada

The 2024 UN , to be held in September 2024, aims to enhance collaboration to overcome complex challenges and to reaffirm existing commitments to the SDGs, as well as the UN as a global governance system. An action-oriented outcome document, A Pact for the Future, is expected to be adopted by Member States. The upcoming will give an overview on the preparation of the Summit and each chapter of the Pact.

On 5 March 2024, speakers will provide an overview of the zero draft within the broad Summit of the Future process and critically discuss the role of education and research. ³Û´Ç°ù°ì´²õ UNESCO Chair team Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl will address the crucial role of ESD in the frameworks of transformative societal changes needed to bring the SDGs back on track.

During and , SDSN Canada is hosting a meaningful between educators from Canadian education institutions on enhancing and exploring practical solutions for integrating sustainability into teaching and learning to advance the SDGs. Empowering learners with the required skill sets, knowledge, and experiences for a sustainable future can serve as a crucial pathway to address the global challenges as societies.

Celebrating , the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics, , is hosting an international panel presentation on 5 March 2024. Global experts will speak on the importance of measuring progress on the SDGs on campuses across the globe, including why the SDGs are relevant and timely for institutions offering technical and vocational training.

On 6 March 2024, panelists from higher education institutions and community partners will discuss the impact of a whole-institution approach towards sustainability that goes beyond understanding the community as a responsibility but as an important partner.

On 7 March 2024, this dynamic panel discussion will delve into the crucial topic of youth inclusion in the work on the SDGs. Speakers will explore the progression of youth participation. Has a diluted form of inclusivity resulted in youth complacency, hindering meaningful change?

Contributing to the celebrations of International Women's Day 2024, the International Association of Universities (IAU) and the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) will hold a webinar under the theme Tackling the Leaky Pipeline in Academic Leadership. On 5 March 2024, panelists will discuss the challenges that remain for gender equality in academic institutions, including invisible barriers or the notorious 'glass ceiling' that prevents women from progressing to senior positions. University leaders have the responsibility to put in place policies that actively encourage and support staff in their career paths and professional development.

How are truth and reconciliation connected to addressing climate change and its impacts? How can reconciliation be integrated with climate action in teacher education? On 7 March 2024, join Indigenous scholars Joshua Hill (Mount Royal University), Kaviq Kaluraq (Nunavut Arctic College), and Sharla Mskokii-Kwe Peltier (Lakehead University) on Indigenous Knowledges and Ways of Knowing and Being in pre-service and in-service teacher education. The dialogue is hosted by the  Project.

The will take place at McMaster University on 13 March 2024. The event is a contribution to the . Students from McMaster University have the opportunity to form a team and pitch an idea to solve one of three sustainability challenges and help the university to advance the SDGs. A team of independent judges from the university, the City of Hamilton, and SDG experts from partnering higher education institutions and beyond will evaluate the student contributions and determine the best ideas. UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins and Coordinator Katrin Kohl are invited to serve as judges for the at McMaster University.

 is a whole-institution approach to embed holistic sustainability in student learning at educational institutions, putting sustainability at the heart of education. In partnership with the ,  will conduct a second iteration of the program. Information sessions for interested higher education institutions will take place on 12 and 14 March 2024.

The (GEEF) will be co-hosted by the Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE), Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, and Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens for the sixth time on 14-15 March 2024. Every year, global leaders, subject experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders convene to collaborate towards accomplishing the 2030 Agenda with the 17 SDGs. Following the midway point of the SDGs in 2023, urgent and collaborative action is needed to accelerate progress towards 2030. This conference - hosted as a hybrid event - is an opportunity for stocktaking and dialogue towards shared solutions and joint action.

On 20 March 2024 at 9am EST, this webinar on individual, social cohesion, and democratic citizenship in the age of educational capitalism will feature a presentation from Régis Malet (Université de Bordeaux, Institut Universitaire de France). The event aims to be accessible to both English and French speakers and will be held in a mix of languages.

The will host an on 29 March 2024. Discussions will highlight sustainability initiatives at the SDG-UP member universities and their role in the global and local community for advancing the SDGs.

The dialogue is open to all audiences in person and online.

is an international aiming to identify levers of action and best practices. It is hoped to deepen the understanding of how faculty approach education for sustainability and to catalyze the transformative change needed in education systems.

Research objectives are to:

• Examine the various profiles of faculty members,
• Assess the factors influencing faculty engagement in sustainability
• Better understand the resources needed for each group,
• Systematically identify, document, and analyze best practices.

To effectively enable a lasting cultural shift that accelerates education for sustainability, listening is vital. Please share your insights if you work promoting the integration of sustainability into the curriculum.

Join the next Earth Charter Conference on 12-14 April 2024! Our world appears disrupted by many interconnected challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, increasing inequalities and conflicts between and within countries. Education must play a central role in preparing people to make the transformative change needed to create a more sustainable, just, and peaceful world for all.

Working with the Earth Charter allows incorporating sustainability values and principles into the processes of learning and decision-making. The Earth Charter opens new paths in education for sustainable development, global citizenship education, and makes efforts to connect these with concepts such as planetary well-being and ecological literacy. Hosted by the with the UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Development with the Earth Charter and Rollins College in Winter Park (Florida, USA), this conference is an excellent opportunity to discuss new ideas, programs, and research activities at the intersection of sustainability, ethics and education.

Human activity is exceeding planetary boundaries, the very systems that make life on Earth possible. Food, water, and energy systems are threatened, as well as healthcare, education, social services, democracy, justice, and peace. Efforts to drive sustainability transformations need to connect local, national, and regional efforts. Educated leadership through diverse networks, communities of practice, initiatives, partnerships, and projects is needed for societal transformation. On 22-26 April 2024, the Collective Leadership Institute Transformation Literacy (Online) Conference how networked transformation efforts can inform and contribute to localizing the SDGs.

The XVIII World Congress of Comparative Education Societies under the theme Fostering Inclusive Ecologies of Knowledge: Education for Equitable and Sustainable Futures will take place as a hybrid event at Cornell University in Ithaca (New 91ÑÇÉ«, USA) on 22-26 July 2024. With keynotes from UNESCO Assistant Director-General Education Stefania Giannini and Director Future of Learning and Innovation Sobhi Tawil as well as one of the newest UNESCO Chairs, Professor Miki Sugimura from Sophia University in Japan, the conference aims to rethink models of knowledge, education, and research. A is currently open until 20 March 2024.

The University of Padua and the  will organize the  to be held in Padua (Italy) from 8-10 September 2024.

Under the theme Co-Creating Change for Sustainability, educators, researchers, students, and education professionals with an interest or focus on sustainability are invited in order to foster dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders in higher education. Driven by enhancing the understanding of a whole-institution approach, presentations will address pedagogy, curriculum, community, capacity-building, institutional practices, and leadership. The is open now until 30 March 2024.

Critical perspectives at the midpoint of SDG 4

As the crucial midpoint of the SDGs was passed in 2023 with only 15 % on track, better understanding the progress, promises and pitfalls for SDG 4 as a key enabler is crucial in determining the best path ahead.

This in the International Journal of Educational Development explores an array of critiques, best practice, and evaluation topics related to quality education.

Learning on the road to a sustainable university

The second edition of the was recently published, presenting diverse voices of young voices, educators, and higher education professionals.

A highlight: Professor Gerd Michelsen, former at Leuphana University Germany, shares personal reflections from the experience of transforming Leuphana to become a sustainable university.

New publication: Agents of Change towards Sustainability

Unlocking the future: transforming education through ESD

The International Association of Universities (IAU) has recently relaunched their on higher education and research for sustainable development (IAU HESD), providing access to university actions from around the world that contribute to the 17 SDGs. The Portal enables searches regarding thematic or SDG-specific searches and offers access to documents, updates on recent research and upcoming events.

91ÑÇÉ« serves as the global focal point for SDG 4 Quality Education in the cluster of universities informing the IAU HESD Portal. At the focus of is the whole-institution approach towards sustainability.

Welcome to the February 2024 newsletter!

We hope 2024 has begun on a positive note for you and we wish all the best to those who will be celebrating Lunar New Year in just a few days.

While it is easy these days to drift into hopelessness in light of the multitude of complex global and local peace, climate, and education crises, we remain positive and pledge to strengthen our engagement with research networks, institutional partners, colleagues, and friends throughout 2024. With this year's Summit of the Future and the Pact for the Future in mind, we continue to promote the crucial roles of education, in particular Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), in transforming societies towards a peaceful and just future. There is no future without education.

Quality education, as described in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, goes way beyond children and youth attending formal education but also includes all training and professional development in a context of lifelong learning with education systems prioritizing learning for sustainability and modelling sustainable practice, so learners can live what they learn. Recognizing the impact of non-formal and informal learning in the community and continuously informing the public to enable everyone to make informed choices and take responsible action is a powerful tool to create change.

With that in mind, we invite you to reflect on all the efforts that you are making to promote quality education with ESD at the heart and to read this newsletter. You might find new themes, publications, and events to inspire your work. Feel free to share widely with your colleagues. Thank you for your ongoing interest!

Kind wishes from Toronto,

Charles Hopkins & Katrin Kohl, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, 91ÑÇÉ« Canada

In November 2023, UNESCO adopted a new as a non-binding legal instrument for UNESCO member states.

While member states will be requested to report on their progress every four years, the Recommendation can also be used by educators, policymakers, and learners to create a better understanding of concepts such as sustainable development, ESD and global citizenship including a small number of now internationally agreed definitions, guiding principles, and learning objectives.

On 7 February 2024 at 10 am ET/4 pm CET, under the leadership of Leuphana University, the UNITWIN Network on ESD & Societal Transformation will host a with four education experts from Costa Rica, Germany, and South Africa to share their insights on the revised 1974 Recommendation and respond to questions and comments from the global audience. Come and join us if you are interested to learn more about the Recommendation in a context of rethinking higher education.

On 9 February 2024, the Canadian Network of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks will come together at the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) in Ottawa (Canada) for the most recent updates from UNESCO and CCUNESCO and to discuss network contributions to UNESCO's global efforts to advance the SDGs, in particular SDG 4, through research and policy support. Both Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl are invited to represent 91ÑÇɫ´s UNESCO Chair in the meeting.

More about the and the global network of .

The International Association of Universities (IAU) hosts the (IAU HESD) with 91ÑÇÉ«'s UNESCO Chair serving as the global focal point for SDG 4. Established in 2012 and recently relaunched, the  provides access to university actions and initiatives developed around the world to promote sustainability and contribute to the SDGs.

Would you like to learn how to use the portal to find activities from universities on sustainable development and the SDGs? Interested in resources for teaching SDGs? Join a free 30 min interactive online session on 2 February 2024, at 10 ET/ 4 pm CET.

The seventh will take place 7–9 February 2024 and address The role of universities in transformative change. Societies need fundamental changes in their structures and values to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable consumption. Universities have a crucial role to play and to focus on their role in supporting societies on their path towards sustainable development. The conference will be hosted as a virtual event. On 7 February 2024, 91ÑÇÉ« will present their SDG toolkit. Hosted by IAU and , a session will particularly focus on the whole-institution approach towards ESD and the SDGs.

, , and are joining forces for a shared webinar on the benefits and opportunities of SDG reporting for Canadian institutions of higher education. On 7 February 2024 at 1 pm ET, speakers will highlight best practices and discuss the potentially positive impact for students, faculty, and staff. The webinar builds on the for post-secondary reporting on the SDGs in Canada, launched in October 2023.

Accelerate Climate Change Education in Teacher Education is a new project providing support to develop and deepen climate change education across Canada. Sustainability with its shifting conceptions is a complex theme to teach. Yet, there are growing calls for faculty in every discipline in higher education to integrate it into their course curricula and pedagogy to address the climate crisis. What are the key principles and pedagogical strategies that inform teaching related to sustainability? How do they change from one discipline to another?

On 15 February 2024 at noon ET, you have a webinar opportunity to listen to sustainability teaching experiences from engineering, public health, and the humanities, and to discuss sustainability principles informing teaching practices.

(LSF), a non-profit Canadian organization, created to integrate sustainability education into Canada’s education system, and a close partner of the UNESCO Chair at 91ÑÇÉ«, presents the .

Under the theme How to be hopeful in a world of doom: The Practice of Evidence-Based Hope, the lecture will take place virtually on 28 February 2024 at 7PM ET. The 2024 keynote speaker, Elin Kelsey, PhD, is an award-winning author, speaker and thought-leader for the evidence-based hope and climate justice solutions movement.

The Annual Dr. David V.J. Bell Lecture helps to bridge the gap between research and practice in education in Canada by identifying thought leaders to share insights on ESD as it applies to education policy, teacher education and practice, as well as student empowerment.

The University Global Coalition will host the on 4-8 March 2024. The event invites university students, staff, faculty, and partners around the world to plan and host both virtual events to be shared with a global calendar and to plan events on your campus showcasing work and encouraging action towards the SDGs. If you are hosting or wish to attend events, the planning webinar on 26 February 2024 at 11 am ET.

Canadian institutions of higher education will highlight efforts in Canada with their national , featuring workshops, panels, and other interactive programs to raise awareness for the SDGs. If you wish to join in hosting activities, please in advance. If you wish to attend events during the week, stay tuned for more information.

UNESCO has joined the podcast landscape and now offers a selection of podcasts radiating UNESCO's vast mandate in building peace in the minds of men and women through education, the sciences, culture, and communication, e.g. Leading SDG 4 Conversation curated by the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee's Inter-Agency Secretariat and highlighting thought leaders and experts in transforming education.

Publication: On Behalf of My Delegation...

Publications: Common Agenda Policy Briefs

Online toolkit: net zero on campus

Explore UN CC:e-Learn

Launched in December 2023, the is the first online platform that centralizes and compares key legislative information on higher education systems across the world in a single place. The interactive online platform developed by the  showcases primary information on HE policies and governance systems in nearly 150 countries through 40 indicators drawn from a battery of 150 variables and over 22,000 data points. This new observatory will provide key data to higher education researchers and professionals across the globe. Check to see if your country is included.

At the (Pakistan), a new project under the leadership of Professor Sadia Shaukat on inclusive teaching and learning practices aims to address the diverse needs of all learners by creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment. A series of workshops on integrating a Heart, Head and Hands Apprenticeship Approach and addressing inclusive teaching practices is part of this funded project. Hands-on activities (peer assisted learning, role playing, scenario-based case studies) are employed to conduct this training to enable student teachers to use this practice in real classrooms.

On the occasion of the first in Japan on 18-20 December 2023 within the new framework of the , the UNITWIN Network on ESD & Societal Transformation issued a shared statement in further clarifying the vision of ESD.

The statement was published on the first day of the global conference and since then shared with policy-makers, researchers education professionals and sustainability experts. As the academic discourse on the understanding of ESD is an active conversation, positioning ESD beyond its contribution to quality education but also recognized as a key enabler for all SDGs with a role in transforming societies is hoped to raise awareness for all those tasked with SDG implementation.

The ESD-NET Global Meeting highlighted country progress on ESD through initiatives, trends, and innovations for the 2030 Agenda with the SDGs. Participants also agreed on action points in 2024-2025.

Under the theme Making research matter: Mobilizing research to impact on homelessness policy, Associate Professor and President of the  and the  at 91ÑÇÉ«, Stephen Gaetz, recently explored the role that social innovation can have in inspiring change in the response to youth homelessness in Canada.

Find more about the 91ÑÇÉ« Faculty of Education Public Lecture Series, featuring cutting-edge research and leading perspectives on contemporary sustainability discussions as we face numerous sustainability challenges in today's globalized world.

Since the SDGs individually or as a whole will only be achieved with strong contributions from higher education, regularly engages with diverse voices in the global community. In December 2023, 91ÑÇÉ« UNESCO Chair Coordinator Katrin Kohl contributed to an interview with the University World News that addresses how universities can go beyond embedding sustainability in the whole institution but actually moving towards meaningfully prioritizing the community in all of their efforts towards sustainability. The communiversity aligns with an imperative to put .

Our UNESCO Chair's associated project, the , will be present at COP28 in Dubai from 30 November to 8 December 2023. The following films are scheduled for presentation (all times in Dubai time):

1. The Planetary Heath Film Lab 2023: Belize Edition - six films made by Indigenous youth with a press conference on 1 December at 10:00 am (PC Room 2, Blue Zone), a film screening on 7 December, 3:00 pm (Future Mobility Hub, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) and a joint panel discussion hosted by the Youth Climate Report and EcoSpectrum on 8 December, 11:30 am (SE Room 2, Blue Zone).
2. The Ghana Youth Videography Programme 2023 - eleven films made by Ghanaian Indigenous youth with a press conference on 1 December at 9:00 am (PC Room 2, Blue Zone), a film screening at the Global Youth Coalition Side Event 3 December at 5:15 pm (Entertainment + Culture Pavilion), and a joint panel discussion on 8 December, 11:30 am (SE Room 2, Blue Zone).
3. Turning Tides: Sustainability Measures for Shark Conservation. A trailer for the film will be screened at the press conference on 1 December at 10:00 am (PC Room 2, Blue Zone).
4. A Faithful Commitment to Sustainability. This documentary short takes a faith-based approach to sustainability in a Muslim community in Vaughan, Ontario. The film will premiere at a screening at the Canada Pavilion on 11 December at 9am.

Please reach out to Youth Climate Report Director Mark Terry at ycrtv1@gmail.com if you plan to attend any of the events and wish to meet.

The Great Green Wall Grassroots Alliance in conjunction with the African Union Commission will aims to catalyze systemic change by rallying multi-stakeholder support for the Beyond the Classroom initiative, with the ultimate goal of empowering every learner, regardless of age or background, to confront the climate crisis effectively and
comprehensively. UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins will deliver introductory remarks for the workshop.

Feel free to join in person in the Greening Education Pavilion (Green Zone) on 2 December 2023. A second workshop will be held in the Commonwealth Pavilion (Blue Zone) on 10 December 2023.

On 8 December, the dedicated COP28 Youth & Education Day, a high-level dialogue will bring together representatives of member states, including education, environment, finance, and foreign affairs, alongside youth, civil society, teachers, and international organizations. The discussions will focus on actions and priorities to advance climate change education across all pillars.

The endorsement of  will be signed to rally commitment and pledge targeted action to adapt, mitigate, and invest in education.

will discuss how to reinforce the objectives of the . Members will present their ongoing work and contributions to climate change education and identify tangible climate-resilient solutions.

On 12 December 2023 at 8 am EST/2 pm CET, the 2023 UNESCO-UNFCCC webinar series will close the second season by looking back at COP28 and its key takeaways, achievements, commitments, and ways forward on how to promote climate change education for social transformation including greening schools.

Living in a climate crisis requires a radical re-imagining of education, one that is centred on a vision of well-being for all. â€˜Living Schools’ is an innovative model that does just this, by reconnecting people, communities, and nature to become holistic learning environments where students and educators are collaborating on real world solutions to climate change. Join Catherine O’Brien and Patrick Howard as they introduce their concept of ‘Living Schools,’ as well as learn from teachers who are implementing this model in their classrooms and schools. This webinar is offered in partnership with the  program.

Advancing the Reflection and the Action on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence will be at focus for the next UNESCO Chairs Seminar on 5 December 2023. The UNESCO Chairs seminars are part of the series on that provides transdisciplinary spaces at the intersection of research and policy for UNESCO Chairs, UNITWIN Networks, and other specialists, to engage intellectually with the themes of the  of UNESCO’s  (2022-2029).

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program Global Skills Opportunity, 91ÑÇɫ’s Go Global SDGs in Action Student Challenge aims to empower 91ÑÇÉ« students and their peers around the world to take action towards the achievement of the SDGs with a global lens. UNESCO Chair team Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl serve as mentors for international student groups in this programme, and delivered introductory workshops.

Learn more about the 2023 Go Global Projects on 6 December 2023 at 9 am EST. Join the conversation and learn about the transformative SDGs action projects of our international student groups. Register today!

Tarlac Agricultural University will hold its 3rd International Conference on Agriculture, Biosystems and Technology (IConABT) under the theme AGRICULTURE FORESIGHT: Harnessing Innovative Digital and Smart-Farming Technologies for Sustainable and Resilient Agri-Food, Forest, and Bio-based Systems on 11-12 December 2023. The two-day virtual forum aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, farmers, and other
stakeholders to discuss the latest advances in digital and smart-farming technologies and their potential to transform agri-food systems for the better. The conference will also explore the challenges and opportunities for harnessing these technologies in different parts of the world. The event will spotlight a repertoire of successful case studies and projects, illuminating the transformative power of smart farming technology in enhancing agricultural sustainability and resilience. UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins is invited to deliver an inspirational message on the role of ESD in the frameworks of agriculture, biosystems, and technology. Through real-world examples, attendees gain invaluable insights into the practical applications of innovative techniques and their impact on agricultural landscapes.

Following the launch of the in 2021 during the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Berlin (Germany), the will now come together for the in Tokyo (Japan) on 18-20 December 2023 to take stock of our shared progress and to further strengthen ESD within the SDG implementation efforts for 2024/2025. It is hoped to strengthen the quality and relevance of education in the context of transforming education, develop systemic education responses to current global challenges, and to further facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement within the implementation of . UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins is invited to speak during the higher education session and UNESCO Chair Coordinator Katrin Kohl will join the moderation team for the Europe-North America Regional Session. While in-person participation is upon invitation only, you can still register to join online.

The is an annual celebration and is set to honour the incredible work of youth throughout 2023. It recognizes and highlights 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. to apply for an award. UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins will serve in the jury.

 There are 8 Award Categories! Winners will:

• Receive the opportunity to bring representation at the United Nations Environment Program through QS ImpACT!
• Be featured in the QS Insights magazine and receive a QS ImpACT badge and title.
• Be highlighted at the on 18 January 2024.

The seventh will take place 7–9 February 2024 and address The role of universities in transformative change. Societies need fundamental changes in their structures and values to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable consumption. Universities have a crucial role to play and to focus on their role in supporting societies on their path towards sustainable development. The conference will be hosted as a virtual event. Last year, the conference gathered over 1500 virtual participants from more than 100 countries globally.

Mark your calendars for the next ! The University Global Coalition will hold the SDG Action & Awareness Week on 4-8 March 2024. The event invites university students, staff, faculty, and partners around the world to plan and host both virtual, SDG-focused events to be shared with a global calendar and to plan events on your campus during this time showcasing work and encouraging action on the SDGs. 

In collaboration with civil society actors, the will hold the 2024 Civil Society Conference from 9 to 10 May 2024 at the UN Office in Nairobi (Kenya).

The Conference aims to ensure multi-stakeholder participation in the preparations, providing tangible space for civil society to contribute ideas and recommendations to feed into the negotiations of the Pact for the Future. Additionally, it offers the United Nations and the international community a chance to plan the way forward, advance the SDGs outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and create a future where no one is left behind.

The will take place under the theme New Challenges for Higher Education, Cities and Regions: Addressing SDGs in Changing Contexts from 4-6 July 2024. The SDGs have been an important benchmark for the development efforts of policy makers, academics, and practitioners for almost a decade. Yet, many structural changes and major shocks have altered their context since 2015 when they were first decided upon as a plan to be reached by 2030. At the 17th PASCAL Conference, participants will address the need for new knowledge to cope with the global challenges successfully as we quickly move towards 2030.

The is currently open.

The SDGs-in-the-Classroom Curricular Innovation Hub is a vibrant initiative at 91ÑÇÉ«, integrating the SDGs into diverse learning environments to enhance educational relevance and impact. Complementing this, the Toolkit (available in English and French) is a rich resource, enabling seamless infusion of SDGs into 91ÑÇÉ«'s classrooms and reinforcing commitment to positive change locally and globally.

The Transforming Knowledge for Just and Sustainable Futures conference took place in Paris on 3-4 November 2022 to mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme.

This event provided an opportunity to ‘dare to hope’, to quote former UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor, who launched the UNITWIN Programme in 1992. The conference not only celebrated the network’s many achievements but also – and more importantly – enabled the UNITWIN community to look back to better plan for the future. The 30th anniversary event was attended by some 500 representatives of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks from 80 countries around the world, National Commissions for UNESCO, and higher education institutions, as well as other partners and experts.

Over the past three decades, the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme has exceeded its initial objectives. Today, it includes almost 1,000 higher education institutions and research centres and has facilitated a kaleidoscope of initiatives, reshaped the higher education landscape, and forged significant intercontinental links.

In October 2023, Karen McGregor from University World News led an with UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins on his vision for quality education in the 21st century. It was by the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Welcome to the November edition of our UNESCO Chair Newsletter!

Greetings from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) where the (31 October - 2 November 2023) with more than 150 participants from 39 countries in-person and online is currently underway. With a focus on the whole-community approach in embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the hosting university (IIUM) with the focuses on the well-being of the surrounding communities as an overarching priority in transforming how students learn and how faculty and students conduct research. If you wish to watch panel discussions and presentation of case studies, feel on 1-2 November 2023.

With the approaching in November 2023, including the next report on ESD for 2030, and the in December 2023 in sight, it is motivating to see that many partners are scaling up efforts in promoting and implementing ESD. Please check out the variety of events and opportunities for the next month and feel free to share this newsletter with your colleagues. We appreciate the support.

Last but not least, you can now watch the valuable recordings of the that took place with Ban Ki-Moon, Jeffrey Sachs, and other speakers in Hong Kong in October 2023.

Warmly,

Charles Hopkins & Katrin Kohl

UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, 91ÑÇÉ«

P.S. Please make sure to save unescochair@edu.yorku.ca in your contacts to get the monthly update.

On 25-27 November 2023, the hosted by the (IAU) will explore how universities around the world promote and support intercultural learning and dialogue. Join us for a session on discussing the from an intercultural perspective to find new ways in accelerating progress towards sustainability.

91ÑÇÉ«'s President Rhonda Lenton just published the , looking back on the accomplishments of the university over the past year in responding to all 17 SDGs, establishing a Sustainability Framework and announcing new goals for meeting net-zero sooner.

Some of the many achievements are captured in the : pedagogical innovation and expanded program offerings, including experiential education, micro-credentials; globally networked learning, and new initiatives that break down barriers to academic and professional success.

Join the next edition of the UNESCO Chairs Seminar Series on fostering cultural heritage. The multidimensional challenges affecting the preservation of Africa’s rich and diverse cultural and natural heritage, both tangible and intangible, call for a coordinated response and immediate actions to ensure its safeguarding. On 2 November 2023, the conversation will bring together researchers, scholars, experts, cultural actors, and government representatives to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Africa.

The UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) will mark its 60th anniversary with a on 8-9 November 2023. Hosted in Paris, France and online, it will be an opportunity to reflect on the IIEP’s key milestones, but also to chart a path forward for the future of educational planning, considering new trends and perspectives.

The IAU webinar series on the futures of education is back! The global pandemic left the world with many challenges that countries are now dealing with, one of them being the increase of mental health issues. Current health systems are having trouble matching the increase in demand related to mental health. Addressing mental health issues as they arise, and preventive measures are key to improving mental health at university and in society, and to avoiding more severe cases. On 16 November 2023, experts from the on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being will discuss lessons learned and analyze the role of e-health in reducing the burden on health care systems.

Social innovation involves designing and testing new ways of addressing old problems. Dr. Stephen Gaetz is a professor in the Faculty of Education at 91ÑÇÉ«, in Toronto Canada. In 2021, he was named 91ÑÇÉ« Research Chair in Homelessness and Research Impact. In this public lecture on 21 November 2023, he will explore the role of social innovation in inspiring change in how we respond to youth homelessness in Canada. For those interested in research impact, this is a compelling example of how to achieve it.

After a summer of wildfires, heatwaves and floods, introducing Climate Change Education (CCE) as a part of pre-service teacher education has never been more critical. Join Dr. Paul Berger and Dr. Ellen Field on 22 November 2023 as they share their experiences and research (forthcoming, 2024) into implementing CCE courses in Lakehead University’s pre-service teacher education program. They will introduce how to engage students in the grim prognosis, political chaos, available solutions, climate activism, and emotional processing practices, all components of CCE, as well as invite participants to share their thoughts on climate emergency teaching in their programs.

This second international conference on education studies is hosted by the Society for Strategic Education Studies and Tarlac Agricultural University on 23-25 November 2023. The hybrid under the theme Educational Leadership in Uncertain Times creates a platform to generate multi-stranded, personal narratives that will enrich the explorations of context-sensitive educational leadership. UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins will be the keynote speaker for the event and address the vision of transformational and sustainability-oriented leadership for the future.

The popular is back! The is aimed at Global Education professionals, as well as anyone with an interest in research in the fields of Development Education, Global Citizenship Education, Human Rights Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Education for Peace, and Intercultural Education. Check out the dates and book your free webinars ahead.

How should we take positive action towards a sustainable future? The RCE Scotland, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the British Council, has created two free, short, facilitated online courses; ideal for anyone interested in sustainability and of particular interest to educators.

Participants can sign up at any time, however those enrolling before 26 November for the 'Learning for a Sustainable Future' and 14 December for 'Live at COP28' course, will be entitled to a free certificate.

Course 1: Learning for a Sustainable Future (started on 23 October 2023). !

Course 2: Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP28 (starting 30 November 2023). !

This year, 91ÑÇÉ«'s Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research Planetary Health Film Lab team under the leadership of UNESCO Chair Associate Mark Terry worked with Indigenous youth from the Maya communities in Belize. The following six films were made in the native Maya languages of Q’eqchi’ and/or Mopan with English subtitles. The films have been added to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's Youth Climate Report GIS database and will officially premiere at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. You are invited to watch all movies now!

1. Promoting Maya Food Sovereignty by Christy Cho (04:06)
2. Climate Change and Action in Na Luum Ca, Belize by Ernesto Pau (05:01)
3. The Forest, Land, and Water are Hurting by Florenio Xuc (05:21)
4. To Be Maya, To Be Well by Nazario Peck (04:45)
5. The Importance of Securing Land Tenure by Sebastian Cho (03:20)
6. Cacao Farming by Viola Cus (04:32)

The at the University of Szczecin (Poland) will lead the composition of a new edited and peer-reviewed volume on sustainable regional policies. Regional policies play a key role in addressing various socio-economic and environmental challenges while fostering inclusive growth and equitable development. The UNESCO Chair invites scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to contribute to an edited volume that explores the multifaceted issue of making sustainable regional (and local) policies a reality. The volume aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, strategies, and innovations involved in formulating and implementing sustainable regional policies. It seeks to generate insights that can guide the design and execution of effective regional policies across the globe. by 20 November 2023.

On 18-20 June. 2024. the Reimagining Teachers and Teacher Education for Our Futures conference will explore the future of the teaching profession and teachers’ work, and the crucial role that teachers have in shaping the critical, transversal skills that are necessary for our futures as outlined in the . The is organized and hosted by the University of Helsinki and its UNESCO Chair with the . A is now open!

"Sustainability is a purpose of education."

If you have met Charles Hopkins before, you might know this line. We invite you to read this in-depth interview with Karen McGregor from University World News.

This article is part of a series on Education for Sustainable Development published by University World News in partnership with ABET. University World News is solely responsible for the editorial content.

UNESCO Chairholder Charles Hopkins recently gave an interview for the Global Citizenship Education Series. The series is hosted by Emiliano Bosio.

UNESCO Chair Associate and Youth Climate Report Director Mark Terry spoke during the 8th International Youth Conference following the 2023 UN SDG Summit in New 91ÑÇÉ«.

Hosted by the UNITWIN Network on ESD and Societal Transformation, UNESCO Chair Coordinator Katrin Kohl participated in a conversation on linking sustainability and quality education.

Watch an in-depth interview with Charles Hopkins on the potential of ESD, hosted by Beth Christie (Edinburgh University, Scotland) and Alex Kudryavtsev (Cornell University, United States).

The UNESCO Chair INTEI partner and Superior University Pakistan collaboratively organized a conference on the SDGs 2023 themed Empower, Engage, Evolve: A Collective Pledge to Sustainability in Lahore (Pakistan) on 11-12 October 2023. The visibility of the event was high beyond the region of Lahore as the Kinnaird's Department of Education conducted a panel on Unlocking the Future: Advancing Education for Sustainable Development Goal 4. The discussion on practical strategies with respect to ESD within the Pakistani context included experts from schools, higher education, information technology, NGOs as well as politics.

Mark your calendars for the next ! The University Global Coalition will hold the SDG Action & Awareness Week on 4-8 March 2024. The event invites university students, staff, faculty, and partners around the world to plan and host both virtual, SDG-focused events to be shared with a global calendar and to plan events on your campus during this time showcasing work and encouraging action on the SDGs. 

Welcome to the July edition of our UNESCO Chair Newsletter!

First of all, we welcome our US colleagues back into the UNESCO universe as the as a full member state as early as July. We look forward to working closer together again!

The month of June was packed with fruitful discussions on the way forward in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to unleash its full potential for the (SDGs) and beyond.

UNESCO hosted the Regional Meeting for Europe and North America with a focus on facilitating dialogue and empowering partnerships, collaboration and mutual learning of stakeholder groups towards strengthening ESD visibility, knowledge and implementation.

During the in partnership with UNESCO, more than 250 academics and practitioners from the fields of global education and learning, global citizenship education, and ESD came together at UNESCO Headquarters to strengthen impact and define activities to support the .

This month from 10-19 July 2023, the annual (UN HLPF) under the theme Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels will support the mid-term review of the SDG implementation for the SDG Summit in September 2023 and , including , are set to present their voluntary national reviews on their progress in implementing the SDGs.

A variety of special/side events will highlight higher education contributions, e.g., the and the both on 17 July 2023 as well as a co-hosted by , SDSN and GWP on capacity building in the water sector on 18 July 2023.

³Û´Ç°ù°ì´²õ Faculty of Education introduces this new video series Leaders Supporting Future Leaders in Education, showcasing its bold leadership in education to contribute to sustainable and just communities through quality education as stated in SDG 4. The four videos represent the commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization in a framework of the SDGs. Students, graduates and alumni are hoped to be empowered to create positive change and to become bold, principled and insightful leaders in the education systems of tomorrow.

The video series follows the launch of the new 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, fostering a view of education for its diverse community of faculty, educators, staff, and students as an engagement of intellectual, ethical, social, and interpersonal relationships.

Climate change is a global challenge that requires urgent action from all sectors of society, including the energy sector. Large-scale renewable energy deployment has emerged as a key strategy for mitigating climate change, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency. On 10 July 2023, this aims to explore the potential role and fundamental science and geophysics behind these technologies. It will target UNESCO Chairs, and other experts, including scientists, researchers, educators, policymakers, and professionals working in the fields of renewable energy, digitalization, geophysics, and geology.

Under the theme Partnership for Environmental Literacy and Sustainable Communities, experts from academia, government, and practice will come together in Bonga (Ethiopia) on 14-16 July 2023.

Participants will report back on the progress of individual colleges in embedding ESD in the last year, to plan for continuous engagement, and to share experiences and best practices to further build capacity to engage with emerging ESD themes.

For more information, please feel to contact us or reach out to our colleague , Head of Development and Communications at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST).

There are three more opportunities to participate in the on the road to COP28! On 25 July 2023, experts will explore ways in which schools can engage with community members to contextualize and enrich the content of climate change learning as well as serve as innovation hubs for building climate resilient communities. The following webinars will take place on 12 September and 31 October 2023.

Mark your calendars for one of UNESCO's annual flagship events! The  of the 2023 on technology and education will take place as a hybrid event in Montevideo on 26 July 2023.

This is the first time that the global launch of the report is taking place in Latin America, in Uruguay, a country widely recognized for its pioneering stance on technology in education. The launch event will bring together ministers of education alongside regional organizations, international donors, teachers, civil society, and representatives from the private sector to discuss the key findings and recommendations of the report.

Join the in Doha, Qatar. Universities provide an excellent environment to foster intercultural learning and competences to embrace diversity, and treasure differences to thrive in a globalized world. Join Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl for a dialogue on how inclusive collaboration, glocalised research activities, and reinforced community engagement are required to achieve the SDGs.

Transdisciplinarity and ESD

In a , Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl address largely forgotten education history to enhance our look into the future: the transdisciplinary roots of ESD and how it has the power to transform education today for a sustainable tomorrow.

Culture for the SDGs

Culture was once determined the missing pillar of the SDGs by the . This new encourages institutions to embrace the SDGs and to participate in the pursuit of a good life for current and future generations in a rapidly shifting world.

Institutional practices of implementing lifelong learning in higher education

This  provides insights and an analysis of lifelong learning structures and practices at a number of universities in Argentina, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Ireland, Lebanon and Uganda. Universities are key players in promoting lifelong learning. By offering a variety of educational programs in different modalities, they address the diverse interests of learners.

International trends of lifelong learning in higher education

This draws on insights gathered from a survey conducted among 400 universities in over 90 countries. In a context of fast-paced technological developments, the climate crisis, persistent social inequalities, and demographic shifts, there is a need to rethink learning for people of all ages and to transform education systems.

Earth Charter Magazine

Following the celebrations of the 23rd anniversary of the Earth Charter in June 2023, a new offers diverse perspectives on research and education in ESD with a focus on values and planetary well-being.

Indigenous Perspectives on Higher Education

This summarizes diverse voices that advocate for respecting and including Indigenous knowledge, ways of knowing, and methods of knowledge acquisition in higher education.

The  (IRE) is one of two academic journals published by UNESCO. It is a peer-reviewed journal of education that publishes research articles on lifelong learning policy and practice with special consideration to proposals on adult education, non-formal education and literacy, or on formal education viewed through the lens of lifelong learning.

Submit your full or shorter outline proposal to the IRE Executive Editor, Paul Stanistreet, by 28 August 2023 to be considered by the 2023 session of the Editorial Board.

A will address international and comparative education contexts with one of the thematic areas being ESD within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with a particular focus on climate action, Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental education, and the green transition.

The Nordic Journal of Comparative and International Education (NJCIE) has announced a  for a special issue on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Education for Sustainable Development.

Guest editors: Robert J. Didham (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences), Hiroki Fujii (Okayama University, Japan), and Gregor Torkar (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia).

The deadline for submission of complete manuscripts is 15 October 2023. Details of the call are available . 

This aims to explore the transformative potential that multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to ESD can achieve and how they can be effectively implemented. The goal of the is to collect and share new research and innovations in the emerging field of interdisciplinary approaches to education for sustainable development.

The right to education covers all ages. Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the SDGs.

This week, the , organized by the Republic of Indonesia and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, is taking place with more than 300 stakeholders from around the world to define the route towards a more inclusive approach to lifelong learning. Participants aim to turn the vision of education set by the and outlined in the into tangible policies, strategies and programmes.

that you believe in the transformative power of learning. the #ImALifelongLearner campaign!