UNESCO Chair at York University Toronto, Canada

09/01/2026

💚 The September 2026 York UNESCO Chair Newsletter is out! This issue brings together new developments, publications, opportunities and international conversations shaping Education for Sustainable Development and the years ahead.

Read the September issue:
https://www.yorku.ca/unescochair/newsletter-09-2026/

08/24/2026

On 17 September, UNESCOSCO will launch three new guidance tools to strengthen the implementation of Education for Sustainable Development.

We are pleased that "Driving sustainability in education through a whole-institution approach", co-authored by York University - Faculty of Education UNESCO Chair Co-Chairs Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl with Isabel Toman and Hilligje van’t Land of the International Association of Universities - IAU, will be among the publications launched.

The guidance draws on action research with 41 institutions across ten countries and offers practical support for embedding ESD across institutional life.

📅 17 September 2026
⏰ 7am EST | 1pm CEST
🌍 UNESCO online launch
👉 Sign up: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/transforming-futures-enhancing-practice-esd-2030-through-action-research-launch-new-unesco-guidance

08/14/2026

Yesterday, was a very special opportunity for us as members of the 💚GReena Advisory Committee to tour the new Frankfort Family Reena Residence in Toronto, which will soon welcome its residents.
And what an impressive place it is! Reena’s newest Intentional Community brings together accessible and affordable housing, independence, specialized supports and spaces where people can learn, work, meet and belong. It is exciting to see what this vision looks like when it becomes a real place and a real community.
Our work with 💚GReena connects several dimensions for a holistic approach: connecting inclusion with sustainability action, meaningful employment, and more sustainable and meaningful ways of living.

Thank you to our Reena colleagues for taking us through the building and sharing the thinking behind it. We left very impressed and looking forward to seeing the Frankfort Residence come fully to life. 🎉

08/09/2026

On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we recognize the knowledge, cultures, rights and contributions of Indigenous Peoples around the world.

This year’s theme, “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” draws attention to Indigenous midwifery as a source of knowledge, care, cultural continuity and community well-being.

Tomorrow, 10 August from 8:30–10:30 a.m. EDT, the United Nations will host an online commemoration bringing together speakers to explore the role and contributions of Indigenous midwives.

We encourage our network to join the conversation and learn more: https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day

07/23/2026

Higher education is getting ready for the global conversation beyond 2030, and we are pleased to be part of it!

This new IAU position paper calls on higher education institutions to strengthen collaboration, coordinate action and sustain their commitment through the final years of Agenda 2030 and into the next global agenda.

York University contributes to this work through the IAU Global Cluster on Higher Education and Sustainable Development, with our UNESCO Chair serving as the SDG 4 focal point. The paper is an important contribution as preparations begin for the 2027 UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, the SDG 4 review at the 2027 HLPF and the wider Education beyond 2030 dialogue.

The next global agenda will need the knowledge, leadership and collective engagement of higher education.

Canadian Commission for UNESCO / Commission canadienne pour l'UNESCO
SDSN Canada

The IAU is pleased to share a on the role of higher education in the time remaining of Agenda 2030 and beyond.

On the occasion of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the IAU and members of its Global Cluster on Higher Education and Sustainable Development (HESD) put forward a position paper to underscore the need for higher education institutions to strengthen collaboration and sustainability commitment in the final years leading up to 2030.

The position paper is one of the outcomes of the IAU HESD Cluster Expert Meeting held from 21-22 April 2026 in Carthage, Tunisia. Against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the SDG 4 review at the 2027 UN HLPF, and the launch of the "Education beyond 2030" dialogue, the position paper aims to reaffirm the higher education sector's collective commitment to advancing sustainable development through strengthened partnerships, coordinated action, and a shared global voice capable of driving systemic transformation towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

The IAU invites you to take part in the position paper and its objectives.

Thanks to all cluster members and universities involved University of Carthage, University of Manouba, University of Sousse, The British University in Egypt (BUE), Kenyatta University, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Université Catholique de Lille, University of Bologna (UNIBO), York University, Luther College at the University of Regina, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), University of Gothenburg (GU), University of Ghana, Assam Don Bosco University.

Read the full position paper here:https://iau.global/s/IAUHESDClusterPositionPaper2026_Final.pdf

07/20/2026

💚 What should the global education agenda look like after 2030? 🌏 As discussions about the future of education gather momentum, diverse voices and experiences must help shape the priorities ahead.

This survey - only open for a few more days - invites educators, learners, researchers, policymakers and partners worldwide to share their perspectives on:

🔹 the right to quality education

🔹 lifelong learning and Indigenous education

🔹 education as a public good

🔹 sustainable financing and local government engagement

🔹 inclusive, equitable and cooperative education systems

🔹 a renewed social contract for education

Please scan the QR code in the image to participate and share the survey with your networks. Every perspective can help inform the next chapter of the global education agenda.

07/18/2026

You can also follow on Instagram to see more.

07/17/2026

University World News reports on the Global Higher Education Symposium II and the launch of our landmark Global Consensus Statement on the unique role of higher education in advancing sustainable development and shaping the post-2030 agenda.

The Statement provides a shared foundation for stronger collaboration and coordinated action across the global higher education community.

A consensus statement on higher education’s role in “Building Sustainable Futures” has been approved by the participants in the Global Higher Ed...

07/15/2026

is concluding with the adoption of the ministerial declaration today. As members of the Canadian Delegation, the York University - Faculty of Education UNESCO Chair was pleased to contribute to discussions at the United Nations on higher education, Education for Sustainable Development, and the 2030 Agenda with the .

For us, a significant achievement was the Global Higher Education CONSENSUS Statement, which captures a shared commitment to the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development.🇺🇳

Find more about the global consensus: https://www.yorku.ca/unescochair/2026/07/15/unesco-chair-launches-global-consensus-in-partnership-with-the-united-nations/