Resources
Who is Doing What in the Space of Higher Education and Sustainable Development?
Below are a list of resources and networks spread throughout the world that are doing work in the space of Higher Education and Sustainable Development. Click on the links for further information.
International Association of Universities Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD)
As stressed by UNESCO, is to provide everyone with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future. HESD's joint aim is brought to the point by the following quote:
"(Higher) Education is no longer preparation for an assumed stable future but a nurturing of individual and collective potential to live well and skillfully in an already complex and volatile world, towards human and planetary betterment." Stephen Sterling, IAU Senior Fellow, Emeritus Professor of Sustainability Education at the Centre for Sustainable Futures, University of Plymouth, UK, Special Advisor on ESD and IAU Senior Fellow.
Further information:
Sustainable Development Solutions Network
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) works under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to mobilize the world’s universities, think tanks, and national laboratories for action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change; empower societies through free online education; and translate scientific evidence and ideas into solutions and accountability.
Further information:
The Contribution of Higher Education to the SDGs
The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are at a unique position to be at the forefront of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promotion and serve as a benchmark for other sectors of the economy. HEIs also contribute to the discussions on the SDGs in society at large.
At UNESCO, the International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC), is convinced of the enormous transformative potential that HEIs can have in the future of our planet. This research line aims to provide clear, factual and actionable information, that inspires HEIs to take action and governments to support them.
Further information at:
Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI)
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) is an open partnership between several United Nations entities and the higher education community launched in the lead-up to the Rio+20 Conference in 2012. The HESI community consists of UN entities, university networks, student organizations, and higher education institutions committed to advancing sustainable development. It is currently chaired by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Sulitest Association - a non-profit organization and online platform aimed at improving sustainability literacy for all. Other UN partners include UNESCO, UN Environment Programme, UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative, UN University, UN-HABITAT, UNCTAD, UNITAR, UN Office for Partnerships, and UN Academic Impact.
Through its strong association with the United Nations, HESI aims to provide higher education with an interface between higher education, science, and policy making by raising the profile of higher education’s sector in supporting sustainable development, convening multi-stakeholder discussions and action, and sharing best practices.
Further information: ;
Network for Sustainability in Higher Education
COPERNICUS ALLIANCE - Networks for Sustainability in Higher Education
The Copernicus Alliance provides an overview of networks that work towards sustainability in higher education at different geographic levels. The list was composed by the COPERNICUS Alliance and DG HochN who jointly initiated an exchange between several of these networks. has also set up a and offers further information in particular for Germany.
Further information:
Higher Education and the SDGs Network
The Higher Education and the SDGs Network is a forum for all university staff and students at ACU member universities who are directly engaging in the agenda, including:
- Integrating sustainable development into their operations
- Sharing SDG learning content and materials
- Developing SDG-focused research strategies
- Co-creating research for impact, community engagement, and partnerships for the goals
The network aims to facilitate peer learning, through sharing knowledge and good practice, discovering potential avenues for collaboration and partnerships, and sharing different approaches to how universities are engaging with the SDGs within each of the following thematic areas:
- Teaching and learning
- Research
- Estates and stewardship
- Engagement and impact
- Partnerships
Further information:
The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education
The Global Alliance of Tertiary Education and Student Sustainability Networks was set up in March 2015 at the EAUC Annual Conference, which took place at the University of Leeds. Member networks recognise the importance of collaboration in putting universities, colleges and students at the heart of the international challenge to address sustainability, each one with a unique and valuable perspective to contribute. We are a network of networks and the world’s largest grouping of national and international networks spanning, Asia, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Americas and Europe.
Further information:
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
AASHE is the leading association for the advancement of sustainability in higher education. AASHE serves a full range of higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students who are change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. Established in 2005, AASHE is comprised of over 900 members across 48 U.S. states, 1 U.S. Territory, 9 Canadian provinces and 20 countries.
Further information:
International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN)
The mission of the ISCN is to provide an international forum to support higher education institutions in the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices for achieving sustainable campus operations and integrating sustainability in research and teaching.
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Nordic Sustainable Campus Network (NSCN)
The network is targeted to sustainability/environmental staff working in the Nordic higher education institutions – both in administration and teaching. NSCN was created in 2012 to strengthen the sustainability efforts already in action in the Nordic higher education institutions. The establishment of NSCN was financially supported by The Nordic Council of Ministers.
Further information:
The U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
The mission of the The U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development is to foster education and actions for sustainable development. Its vision is to see sustainable development fully integrated into education and learning in the United States and internationally.
Their goals to achieve this include:1) Convene, 2) Catalyse, 3) Communicate, and 4) Collaborate for working across multiple of society.
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National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
The consists of 39 institutes of further and higher education in Ireland. Network members teach a diverse array of curricula and disciplines which includes Colleges of Further Education, Institutes of Technology, Universities and Training Hospitals. A shared goal by members is delivery of education for sustainable development to equip students with the knowledge, skills, values and ethos to integrate sustainability into their future lives and careers.
Network members strive to achieve this shared goal through the embedding of the principles of sustainability at all levels of the higher education environment including formal, informal and hidden curriculum.
Further information:
The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC)
The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC) was established in October 2004 to support sustainability officers in advancing education about and demonstration of sustainable systems on university campuses in the northeast and maritime region. Organized around the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, the NECSC members have committed to an annual meeting that advances campus sustainability by providing close networking opportunities, professional development, and access to the area’s vibrant and growing college and university sustainability practitioner community. With no formalized structure, the NECSC is a collaborative, participatory network serving sustainability professionals in higher education in the northeast region.
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