Higher Education Sustainability Initiative
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), launched in the lead-up to the Rio+20 Conference in 2012 as an open partnership between several United Nations entities and the higher education community, aims to enhance the role of the higher education sector in advancing sustainable development by facilitating multi-stakeholder discussions, actions, and the dissemination of best practices.
In 2024 - 2025, HESI is chaired by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UN University, UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC), and the Sulitest Association - a non-profit organization and online platform aimed at improving sustainability literacy for all.
Additional UN partners include UNESCO, UN Environment Programme, UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative, UN-HABITAT, UNCTAD, UNITAR, UN Office for Partnerships, and UN Academic Impact. Together with hundreds of university networks, student organizations, and higher education institutions they collectively form the HESI Community.
On 21 May 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM (EST), a virtual HESI Networking Forum will be held, offering a dedicated space for higher education institutions, student organizations, UN entities, and other stakeholders to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen the HESI community.
The objectives of the Networking Forum include:
HESI Networking Forum, 21 May 2025
On 21 May 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM (EST), a virtual HESI Networking Forum will be held, offering a dedicated space for higher education institutions, student organizations, UN entities, and other stakeholders to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen the HESI community.
The objectives of the Networking Forum include:
- Facilitating dialogue and collaboration among members of the HESI community.
- Providing a platform for HESI members, UN partners, HESI Action Groups, and related initiatives to share updates and promote active engagement.
- Identifying synergies, fostering new partnerships, and exploring common areas of interest.
- Encouraging broader and more inclusive participation in the annual HESI Global Forum by serving as an accessible entry point for both new and returning stakeholders.
The HESI Community
Any higher education institution or university network may join HESI. By joining you will receive updates on ongoing activities, be invited and considered as a contributor or speaker to events, webinars, action groups and other related activities.Upcoming workshop by the Student Action Group
On 16 June 2025, on the occasion of the Times Higher Education Global Sustainable Development Congress in Istanbul, the Student Action Group (HESI-SAG) is hosting an interactive workshop, "From Frameworks to Practice: Unlocking the Potential of Sustainability Competencies in Higher Education ". More information- Post COVID-19
- Integrating SDGs
- Featured initiatives
- Rankings, ratings and assessments
- Education for Green Jobs
- SDG Publishers Compact
Rankings, ratings and assessments (9 February 2023)
Education for Green Jobs (1 March 2023)
SDG Publishers Compact (22 March 2023)
Transformation of higher education post COVID-19 (27 April 2022)
The disruptions that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused to societies, including in the education sector, is unprecedented. The webinar explored how the pandemic has transformed higher education’s approaches to education and learning, its ability to reach and engage students, including challenges and inequalities for those that lack capacities for rapid digital transformations and online learning.Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into higher education (1 June 2022)
On 01 June 2022, the second HESI+10 Webinar on “Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into higher education”, organized by DSDG, took place lining up to the preparation for the HESI+10 Global Forum (to be held on 6 July as a special event during HLPF 2022). The webinar, attended by 70+ participants from various sectors, explored explore different approaches to integrating SDGs into higher education, through research, teaching, and learning. Speakers included the United Nations University, Iscte Business School, University of the West Indies, PRME Working Group Sustainability Mindset, IPB University and Monash Sustainable Development Institute & Climateworks Centre. The discussion was moderated by Jean-Christophe Carteron from Sulitest. The next webinar in the series will take place on 21 June to showcase “Inspirational higher education initiatives for SDG 4, 5, 14, 15 and 17Inspirational higher education initiatives for SDG 4, 5, 14, 15 and 17 (21 June 2022)
As 2022 marks 10 years since the establishment of the HESI network, the webinar and the forum will highlight and celebrate key higher education initiatives that drive implementation of the 2030 Agenda through education, teaching and learning - particularly around SDGs under review at HLPF (Goal 4, 5, 14, 15, 17).Other initiatives
Action Groups
Each year, HESI designates Action Groups to tackle topics related to higher education for sustainable development. Action Groups draw upon the full HESI community to carry out its work and is often composed of several organizations and contributors. Results are published on the HESI website and promoted by the network.HESI Community
The HESI network consists of several UN partners, university networks, student organizations, and a number of higher education institutions - that together form the HESI Community. Please visit our HESI Community page to see all members.Partners
Co-chairs |
2024 - 2025
2022 - 2023
2019 - 2021
2012 - 2019
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UN Partners |
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