Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the 91��ɫ UNESCO Chair Newsletter!

Today is 1 July, so Happy Canada Day to our Canadian community!

As the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) will convene in New 91��ɫ this month, global attention turns once again to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the urgent need for transformative societal change. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) remains central to this agenda through empowering learners of all ages to shape more just, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

In this edition, we spotlight initiatives that reflect ESD’s far-reaching impact - from recent and upcoming events, publications, and other news - all contributing to reimagining education. The coming weeks offer moments for reflection during the summer break for many colleagues in the Global North. Then, the month of September will offer more events, projects, and partnerships. Please feel free to share this newsletter with your networks or invite others to subscribe and we invite you to stay connected.

Charles Hopkins & Katrin Kohl
UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, 91��ɫ

Congratulations to 91��ɫ on another successful year in the ! 91��ɫ’s consistent performance in the THE Impact Rankings underscores its commitment to the SDGs and the continuous progress that is being made in advancing global health, equity, education, and sustainable consumption through research, community engagement, and policy innovation.

During the Global Sustainable Development Congress in Istanbul (Türkiye), where this year's results were officially announced, 91��ɫ's UNESCO Chair Team Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl hosted "the track with the heart" on education, gender, and inequality. Thank you to all speakers and participants for building community with us throughout the four days of the #GSDCongress!

In preparation of the 2025 in Istanbul (Türkiye), the UNESCO Chair team joined a global team of authors to create a joint policy report in collaboration with Times Higher Education, UNESCO, and Prince Sultan University (Saudi Arabia). The report highlights regional trends, institutional efforts, and persistent challenges faced by universities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in advancing the SDGs. This important document offers a roadmap for aligning education systems with SDG priorities. Key takeaways include:

• SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) continue to be leading priorities across MENA institutions.
• The implementation of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) shows notable variance across countries, calling for context-specific strategies.
• Increasing institutional engagement across the region reflects growing momentum but also underscores the need for sustained policy backing.

The 91��ɫ UNESCO Chair team will once more join the official Canadian Delegation to the HLPF and will engage in a number of events and activities from 17-22 July 2025. Please stay tuned on our social media channels for details of on-site and online events.

In advance, here are three offerings of virtual HLPF events that we would like to draw your attention to:

1. UNITAR will host a virtual side event on 23 July 2025 at 1:15-2:30pm EDT with a focus on their in the LEAP-FAST Programme (Leaders in Higher Education Alliance & Programme: For Accelerating Sustainability Transformations). Stay tuned for more details.
2. You can access free capacity building, choosing from 12 SDGs in Practice Sessions from 14-23 July 2025, offered by UN DESA and UNITAR. Webinars will cover key themes, such as health, gender equality, strategic foresight, digital platforms and data innovation, citizen-generated data, stakeholder engagement for SDG implementation, and more. .
3. The global higher education community will come together during the virtual HESI (Higher Education Sustainability Alliance) Global Forum on 21 July 2025 from 7:00-9:30am EDT. .

In advance of the HLPF, the Education & Academia Stakeholder Group (EASG) has released its . Emphasizing education as a human right and key enabler of the 2030 Agenda, it connects SDG 4 with this year’s HLPF Focus SDGs: 3 (Health), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work), 14 (Life Below Water), and 17 (Partnerships). 91��ɫ's UNESCO Chair team supported the writing process with evidence-based input and explicit references to ESD.

SDG Index Report 2025

Produced by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network's (SDSN) , the report has provided the annual data to track the performance of all UN Member States since 2016. Eighty years after the creation of the UN system, the report also provides improved and updated measures to track countries' efforts to support UN-based multilateralism.

UN Secretary-General's SDG Report 2025

The UN Secretary-General’s latest SDG Progress Report reveals that 35% of the 137 Sustainable Development Goal targets with available data are still on track or making moderate progress. The report highlights that, despite persistent global challenges, progress is possible through bold and collective actions, combined with targeted investment.

our friends from the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability () on 7 July 2025 from 10:00–11:40 CST (Beijing time) for the online seminar Greening Education: Transforming Circular Economy Education for Future Generations. This session will explore how circular economy principles, such as resource efficiency, waste reduction, and lifecycle value retention, can be integrated into business and higher education efforts. Speakers will share insights from a new UNU-IAS report and highlight transformative learning models that equip students with the skills and mindsets needed for a sustainable future. Educators, researchers, students, and policymakers are encouraged to attend and contribute to rethinking education for circularity and long-term resilience.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ESD presents both transformative opportunities and critical challenges. Taylor’s 16^th Teaching & Learning Conference (TTLC 2025) on 11-12 September 2025 aims to serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and actionable insights in this space. UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins will offer a pre-conference workshop on integrating ESD into the curriculum and deliver a keynote on ESD. Selected papers will be considered for publication in Scopus-indexed journals. Join us in Kuala Lumpur!

A is currently open until 1 August 2025.

Hosted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Eco-Campus International Conference is a global event that brings together academic leaders, sustainability practitioners, policymakers, and students to advance sustainability across education systems. Participants of this second edition, to be held in Malaysia on 18-20 September 2025, will explore innovations in higher education that bridge disciplines, sectors, or communities, including collaborative initiatives between researchers and practitioners, transdisciplinary methodologies, and community-engaged scholarship. Join us in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the whole-system approaches and multi-sector collaborations driving meaningful progress towards greening education!

A is currently open until 1 September 2025.

young changemakers from around the world at the 12^th International Youth Conference (IYC12) in New 91��ɫ City during UNGA80 High-Level Week on 24-27 September 2025. Under the theme Youth Solutions for a Changing World, IYC12 will feature global dialogues, innovation labs, and a youth-led outcome declaration.

Universities have long been trusted institutions, valued for their openness, ethical commitments, and self-correcting systems. Yet today, their ability to demonstrate value is increasingly questioned. To be held in Kigali (Rwanda) on 21-23 October 2025, the will explore the foundations of trust in higher education in uncertain times. The full programme is available now and early bird registration is open until 1 September 2025.

The 14^th Global Conference of the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development will be held in Okayama (Japan) on 21 – 23 October 2025. It will bring together RCE members and key stakeholders to exchange knowledge, celebrate achievements and shape the future of ESD. The conference is organized and hosted by UNU-IAS, RCE Okayama and Okayama City. UNU-IAS serves as the Global Service Centre to the Global RCE Network through its work on . Online attendance is open to the public.

On 22-24 October 2025, the AASHE 2025 Conference & Expo will bring together higher education sustainability leaders, researchers, and practitioners to share strategies, research, and best practices in Minneapolis (MN, USA). Topics include climate action, curriculum development, and equity. The conference offers workshops, panels, and networking to support institutions in advancing sustainability across teaching, operations, and community engagement. Join us at the AASHE 2025 Conference when UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins will receive the AASHE Lifetime Achievement Award!

To be held on 19-20 November 2025 as an online event, the 2invites bold contributions to transform education in uncertain times. Climate crisis, conflict, inequality, and misinformation challenge us - but higher education can respond with courage and creativity. Join students, educators, and changemakers to explore transformative learning, inner development, and regenerative leadership. A call for abstract is open until 11 July 2025.

UNESCO is seeking applicants for the 2026–2027 cohort of the . Young people passionate about education are invited to join this global community of youth leaders working to advance education worldwide. If you are between the ages 18–30 and passionate about transforming education, apply to help shape global education policy, share youth perspectives, and drive change towards inclusive, quality education for all. Applications are open until 10 July 2025.

For all who engage in the UNESCO-led , this may be of interest: Within the context of the Greening Education Partnership, a working group on Greening Communities has developed a guidance and standard-setting document to strengthen systemic approaches to climate change education and communication within local communities. Now this document is out as a draft version for a global consultation until 8 July 2025.

Your comments and suggestions will be valuable in finalizing the document to ensure that it will be of highest relevance for local governments and other stakeholders across the globe. Have your voice now and contribute on or before 8 July 2025.

Trying to make sense out of the work of the UN system or aiming to explain to others? Try this new website that presents the essentials and most important aspects of the global UN efforts.

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of the 91��ɫ UNESCO Chair Newsletter!

Greetings from Toronto. April is Earth Month with the well-known to be celebrated on 22 April! Following the Canada-wide in March, we continue to promote sustainability through events, webinars and publications. At the core stands Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), equipping learners of all ages with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to shape just futures. Please feel free to share this newsletter with your colleagues or invite them to for future editions.

Charles Hopkins & Katrin Kohl

UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, 91��ɫ

The second edition of the (HCI) will take place in Riyadh (KSA) under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on 13-14 April 2025. HCI 2025 #Beyond Readiness will bring together over 12,000 experts, officials, and decision makers, and feature more than 300 international speakers from government, private, and non-profit sectors, global think tanks, and international organizations, including 91��ɫ's UNESCO Co-Chairs Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl. The event will explore human capability development, policy innovation, and economic growth. Charles Hopkins is invited to set the scene for discussion on the first conference day.

During Earth Week on 23 April 2025 at 10 am EDT, join the UNESCO Chairs from George Washington University and 91��ɫ, as well as the SDG Academy for the launch of the Journal of Education for Sustainable Development (JESD) Special Issue, Policy Perspectives on Education for Sustainable Development. This issue examines ESD’s role in national policies, its impact on global development, and the policy-practice gap. Featuring scholars from nine countries and 21 institutions, it explores pathways forward. The will highlight key insights, fostering dialogue on successes, challenges, and opportunities.

Throughout the month of April 2025, 91��ɫ will highlight how their diverse community of changemakers works together in creating a better future by addressing complex challenges which matter most, such as sustainability — one of 91��ɫ's core values. Join to celebrate Earth Month, Earth Week, and  (22 April).

Worldwide Climate Education Week is a global movement igniting conversations on climate and justice across campuses and communities worldwide. Join from 7-13 April 2025 and be part of the dialogue through virtual events. Climate justice needs all of us. It's not just for climate experts—everyone has a role to play. Whether you're an artist, historian, chemist, economist, or from any field, your voice matters in shaping climate solutions. Together, we are planting the seeds of change, one conversation at a time.

On 11 April 2025 at 10-11 am EDT, this highlights how higher education institutions drive sustainability through research, education, and community engagement. Experts and practitioners will discuss the challenges and opportunities in integrating sustainability across campuses and beyond. Join the conversation to explore innovative strategies, share best practices, and strengthen the role of higher education in shaping a more sustainable future.

During Earth Month, team will offer another interesting on 11 April 2025 at 4 pm EDT.

As globalization continues to shape our world, education must evolve to prepare students for an interconnected future. The Ages of Globalization by Jeffrey Sachs has been adapted into an online course to bring historical and economic insights into classrooms worldwide. This panel brings together educators, students, course designers, and funders to discuss how the course is impacting learning, its strengths and challenges, and the future of global education. The panel will discuss the curricular content of The Ages of Globalization along with the interactive components with lesson plans for the teachers.

On 15 April 2025 at 9-10 am EDT, the will discuss the forthcoming special issue, curated by SDSN and 91��ɫ: Policy Perspectives on Education for Sustainable Development, hosted by the Journal of Education for Sustainable Development. The aim is to garner reflections on how ESD has transitioned from policy to practice and where that will leave the world in 2030, with a focus on the powerful role of youth. Speakers explore youth empowerment and engagement in sustainable development, highlighting key lessons learned and policy insights. Through collaborative discussions, they will explore ways to strengthen youth-led action for a just and sustainable world.

The next Transformation Literacy Conference will take place in-person and online from 4–7 April 2025 with all online sessions on 7 April. The will examine how metrics can enhance transparency, accountability, and progress toward sustainability while exploring narratives that foster collaboration, depolarization, and shared responsibility. Many existing metrics still prioritize resource extraction over regeneration, while dominant narratives often reinforce past achievements rather than future possibilities. Speakers will highlight approaches to measuring sustainable development through responsive and effective indicators.

If you are interested in the virtual dialogues with ESD at the centre on youth and higher education on 11 April and 15 April 2025, you can find more SDG-aligned events hosted by the Climate School at Columbia University.

The , Transforming Futures: Enhancing ESD Practice through Action Research, took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 3-4 March 2025. The explored how action research can improve Education for Sustainable Development and contribute to transformative change. Bringing together 30 researchers, academics, and ASPnet coordinators from 10 countries, the 12-month project, funded by the Japanese Funds-in-Trust, aims to test newly developed ESD guidance tools on learning assessments, pedagogies, sustainability competencies, and whole-institution approaches within education systems. Together with the International Association of Universities (IAU), the 91��ɫ UNESCO Co-Chairs drafted and co-led the discussion on the whole-institution approach towards sustainability.

Calling all higher education institutions! The International Green Gown Awards, supported by the International Association of Universities (IAU), recognize universities leading the way in sustainability. These celebrate innovative projects and impact initiatives that drive environmental and social change. Showcase your institution’s commitment to sustainability through your climate action, student engagement, or campus-wide initiatives and inspire others. Applications are accepted on or before 28 April 2025.

The UNESCO-Japan Prize on ESD recognizes the role of education in connecting the social, economic, cultural and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. UNESCO Member States (via their Permanent Delegation) and NGOs or foundations in official partnership with UNESCO up to three nominations each. Self-nominations are not accepted. Deadline extended until 16 May 2025!

The Young Leaders for the SDGs Initiative recognizes 17 exceptional young people driving progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Selected young leaders gain a global platform to amplify their work, access UN networks, and engage in key events. The offers Young Leaders a range of benefits designed to support and amplify their impact. It provides a global platform to showcase and elevate their existing work, along with access to the United Nations system and its network of partners.

Join the 6^th Global Climate and SDG Synergy Conference on 27-28 May 2025, at UN City in Copenhagen. Co-convened by UNDESA and the UNFCCC Secretariat and hosted by Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the will unite experts, policymakers, businesses, youth, and civil society to advance integrated climate and SDG action. Discussions will also explore how education can drive climate solutions and commitments.

Building on the success of the first Eco-Campus International Conference, this on 18-20 September 2025 will highlight the roles, activities, and future potential of higher education in bridging academic knowledge with practical solutions for sustainable development. Organizers welcome a diverse group of participants to engage in discussions on strategies and cross-sector collaborations that drive a whole-system approach to greening higher education.

The IAU 2025 International Conference will take place at the University of Rwanda in Kigali from 21-23 October 2025. The will address the theme Building Trust in Higher Education. You can find more details in the . If you are interested to speak, a is currently open.

Education in a turbulent world—one of the key themes shaping the 2025 Higher Education Summit. This , hosted by the COPERNICUS Alliance, oikos, SOS International, and Students4Sustainability Bern, will take place online from 19-20 November 2025. Mark your calendars!

Under the theme Advancing Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable and Inclusive Development, a will be held at Tarlac Agricultural University in Camiling (Tarlac, Philippines) from 25-28 November 2025. The conference will feature specialized breakout sessions that encourage academic exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge dissemination. A call for presentations is currently open for submissions.

Education is a right for people of all ages. Join this campaign and express your support for lifelong learning. You can also explore how learning opportunities at all ages drive sustainable development, equity, and inclusion. Engage with the global group of friends and shape the future of lifelong learning.

Welcome to the March 2025 edition of the 91��ɫ UNESCO Chair Newsletter!

In March, the global higher education community celebrates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with SDG Awareness Week from 3-7 March 2025. In Canada, the entire month of March will be dedicated as SDG Month, highlighting the crucial role of higher education institutions in promoting sustainability through learning, research, and community engagement. As we navigate urgent global and national challenges, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) remains crucial in equipping all learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to shape a more just, sustainable future.

Do you know colleagues that may be interested in also receiving the news on ESD in one email per month? Please feel free to share and invite them to for future editions.

Charles Hopkins & Katrin Kohl

UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability

91��ɫ Canada

In a national campaign under the title of SDG Month Canada, the higher education community in Canada will come together throughout the month of March and highlight the potential of the SDGs in the Canadian context.

The aims to raise awareness and to support integrating sustainability values within our communities. Amplify your events and participation on social media by using #SDGMonthCanada.

Throughout the month of March, 91��ɫ will contribute to the inaugural , showcasing its leadership in advancing the SDGs. Through innovative research, education, and community partnerships, 91��ɫ fosters inclusive, sustainable solutions, empowering future generations to address global challenges and create positive societal change.

Beyond SDG Month in Canada, the SDGs are also at focus globally in March. The next is happening this week! Every year, the invites university students, staff, faculty, and partners from around the world to plan and host SDG-focused events during SDG Action & Awareness Week. Amplify your events and participation on social media by using #SDGWeek2025.

UN Women calls for more  for the upcoming International Women's Day 2025. On 5 March 2025 at 10am CET, (EWORA) and the (IAU) will offer a platform to discuss how higher education institutions can empower staff to take action in favour of gender equality – through teaching and learning, research, campus initiatives, or when engaging with the wider community.

Join the Canadian Accelerate Community for a webinar on 6 March 2025 at 1pm EST to explore how transformative learning can guide a transition to a Symbiocene era - living in harmony with the Earth.

Keynote speaker Dr. Elisabeth Lange will share new narratives, principles, and practices for sustainability and climate justice through a relational approach.

On 12 March 2025 at 8am EST, in this regionally focused webinar, speakers will present the results of the international project Teachers for a Sustainable Future. The session will include several studies that explore various dimensions of how global learning (inherent in ESD) is incorporated into teacher training. Researchers from Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia will share their findings on the opportunities and challenges of integrating global learning into teacher education programs in the Visegrad countries.

Join the Earth Charter’s 25th-Anniversary Webinar on 13 March 2025 at 4pm EST to explore its impact on sustainability, ethics, and global governance. Leading experts will discuss how the Earth Charter inspires transforming education and action for a just, peaceful world. They will reflect on the major challenges the world is currently facing, the 25-year journey of the Earth Charter, and the role it can play in addressing these issues.

They will engage in a conversation on the urgent need to reinforce efforts and to collaborate in creating pathways toward a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. They will also delve into the vision behind the creation of the Earth Charter, reflecting on the historic moment when its drafting was completed during the final meeting of the Earth Charter Commission at UNESCO Headquarters on 13 March 2000.

Watch for an amazing new publication: UNESCO’s new implementation guide on using promotes a novel approach towards working with, within and among UNESCO sites, and inspiring connection, curiosity, cooperation and a better understanding of our relationship with nature. This guide aims to provide practical suggestions and ideas for teachers, educators and site managers on how to mobilize and collaborate with UNESCO sites to develop practical learning activities and to let learners experience the reality of sustainable development in their local contexts. The Guide will soon be available in English, to be shortly followed by editions in French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic.

UNESCO has launched the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) to emphasize science as a tool for achieving the SDGs. It aims to mobilize global efforts, enhance collaboration, and strengthen scientific capacity to address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Through the Decade, it is hoped to harness the power of all the sciences – basic, applied, social and human – to advance sustainable change to our societies, economies and environment.

In 2024, the IAU convened an expert group on Open Science to explore challenges and opportunities for universities in this transition. The resulting report outlines the importance of universities adapting to open science practices while maintaining their commitment to academic integrity, diversity, and social responsibility. Recommendations for universities support taking a transformative leadership role.

The next Transformation Literacy Conference will take place in-person and online from 4–7 April 2025 with all online session on 7 April. The will examine how metrics can enhance transparency, accountability, and progress toward sustainability while exploring narratives that foster collaboration, depolarization, and shared responsibility. Many existing metrics still prioritize resource extraction over regeneration, while dominant narratives often reinforce past achievements rather than future possibilities. Speakers will highlight approaches to measuring sustainable development through responsive and effective indicators.

The (HCI) is the first global cooperative platform designed to unify international efforts and enrich global dialogue on the challenges and opportunities for developing human capabilities. On 13-14 April 2025, under the theme of #BeyondReadiness, HCI will explore skills, the future of work, education, and technology across two dynamic days in Riyadh (KSA). Over 300 speakers, including global leaders and experts from the policy, corporate, investment, and academic sectors will exchange expertise and explore new strategies to optimize human capability within our rapidly changing modern world. 91��ɫ's is invited to speak on the role of education in societies beyond formal education systems.

Co-hosted by Times Higher Education and Türkiye's Council of Higher Education, the next Global Sustainable Development Congress will take place at the Istanbul Congress Center on 16-19 June 2025.

Over four days, keynote speakers, panellists, and representatives from global content partners will share their insights on health, sustainable cities, clean energy, AI, gender equality, the environment and much more.

91��ɫ's UNESCO Co-Chairs Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl will be hosting one of the six thematic core tracks, Education, Gender and Inequality: Equitable Higher Education for an Inclusive Future, throughout the four conference days. This track will focus on innovative approaches and partnerships to ensure that education is accessible to all and is adapting to the evolving needs of society, supporting sustainable development, and reducing inequalities within and among countries.

The  will take place in Okayama (Japan) from 21-23 October 2025. The conference will provide an opportunity to celebrate the collective achievements of RCEs and to shape the future of ESD. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Global RCE Network and the  Additionally, the year 2025 aligns with the midpoint of both the  and the .

The 13^th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) will take place from 21-25 September 2026 and be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Western Australia. The will focus on environmental education and sustainability, fostering global collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Delegates will explore solutions to the climate crisis and share best practices for a sustainable future. Abstract submissions opens in March 2025.

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