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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

IAU Global HESD Cluster

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Non-governmental organization (NGO)
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#SDGAction43669
Description
Description
The Cluster consists of 16 lead universities, each engaging more specifically on one of the SDGs, while connecting to the other SDGs as well. IAU leads the work on SDG 17 by fostering global HE partnerships. The lead universities, from all world regions, collaborate with 2 to 8 ‘satellite’ institutions, engage with a particular SDG and initiate concrete projects, also across all goals. \\r\\nFurthermore, the Cluster promotes the role and potential that HEIs globally have in order to achieve the SDGs and Agenda 2030. Universities engage with the SDGs in multiple ways, through teaching, research, leadership, and campus operations. The Cluster facilitates collaboration and a whole institution approach to the SDGs.\\r\\nWithin the overarching goal of “Accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (UN SDG Summit 2019), the Cluster has two concrete objectives:\\r\\n\\r\\nFirst, to serve as a resource and networking hub both for institutions already engaged in SD and moving more strongly to help address the SDGs locally and seeking innovative partnerships around the world, and for those starting to engage with the SDGs at their institutions. They turn to the Cluster for collaboration and guidance on best practices to advance on the SDGs in local, national and international contexts.\\r\\n\\r\\nSecond, the IAU Global Cluster serves as a global voice for higher education and sustainable development. IAU advocates for HESD at the UN, in particular at the High-Level-Political Forum, at IAU global Conferences, at Member workshops and other initiatives developed at the local and the regional level.\\r\\n\\r\\nIAU takes part in the UN High Level Political Forum debates. In July 2019, IAU brought 18 Cluster lead representatives to the HLPF 2019 in New York and advocated strongly and successfully for better recognition of the role of HE in the UN 2030 Agenda implementation processes. The participation in the UN Forum reinforced the visibility of the IAU Global HESD Cluster and reaffirmed the position of higher education as a key stakeholder to reach the goals set in the UN Agenda 2030. At the IAU 2019 International Conference in Mexico, the Cluster work was presented, and the UN and UNESCO work highlighted.\\r\\nIn the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IAU Global Cluster activities are continued thanks to a swift move to online debates and collaboration. The Cluster Leads joined in a Global Cluster Leads’ Call in late March 2020 to discuss projects, challenges and opportunities to reaffirm the importance of the SDGs and SD in its full definition, especially in the current context. The Cluster is about to finalise a report on its activities, including for presentation at HLPF 2020 (on sight and if not online). Furthermore, the IAU develops a comprehensive communication strategy for the project.
Expected Impact

The creation of the IAU Global HESD Cluster served to create a global network out of higher education institutions already working on specific SDG- issues in research, teaching and community engagement. This network aims to build, strengthen and encourage collaboration among universities and multi-stakeholder partnerships for the SDGs.

IAU is coordinating the Cluster while giving the Members the space to initiate their own projects and create dynamics between the actors.

As the SDGs require interdisciplinary approaches, intersectoral and international collaboration, this model allows to connect existing initiatives and progress a whole-institution approach (WIA) at universities, which includes teaching and research, but also campus operations and the commitment of leadership to sustainable development in the institution's strategy. While the Cluster acknowledges that there is no "one size fits all" solution, examples of successful strategies and peer-to-peer learning aim to increase the engagement of universities for agenda 2030.

Find the latest IAU Global Cluster on HESD Activity Report 2020-2021 here (pdf).

Discover the outcome documents from the IAU HESD Cluster Meeting (March 2022)

Coordination mechanisms

The group meets bi-annually online, as well as in-person at IAU conferences and member events when possible. Regular updates (monthly) by IAU ensure engagement of members and information-sharing. Members contact IAU for advisory services, support for communicating about SDG actions, and suggesting new partners.

Evaluation

The members of the network report annual in writing on their main actions towards one or more SDGs to the IAU. 

Partners
International Association of Universities (INGO, Associate Partner UNESCO, ECOSOC status); University of Ghana (Academic Institution); Antonio Narino University (Academic Institution); Open University of Catalonia (Academic Institution); York University (Academic Institution); University of Bologna (Academic Institution); University of Tehran (Academic Institution); Assam Don Bosco University (Academic Institution); University of Gothenburg (Academic institution); Beirut Arab University (Academic Institution); University of Tsukuba (Academic Institution); Siam University (Academic Institution); Luther College, University of Regina (Academic Institution); The University of the West Indies (Academic Institution); University of Bergen (Academic Institution); University of Costa Rica (Academic Institution); University of Nairobi (Academic Institution)
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Meeting of the Network at the IAU General Conference, October 2022, UCD Dublin, Ireland
Action Network
SDG Acceleration Actions
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Timeline
01 January 2019 (start date)
01 January 2031 (date of completion)
Entity
International Association of Universities (IAU)
SDGs
Region
  1. Global
Geographical coverage
Paris, France
Other beneficiaries
Global - more than 60 higher education institutions from all regions engaged in Subclusters
Photos
Meeting of the Network at the IAU General Conference, October 2022, UCD Dublin, Ireland
Countries
Canada
Canada
Colombia
Colombia
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
France
France
Ghana
Ghana
India
India
Italy
Italy
Jamaica
Jamaica
Japan
Japan
Kenya
Kenya
Lebanon
Lebanon
Norway
Norway
Spain
Spain
Sweden
Sweden
Thailand
Thailand
Headquarters
UNESCO House, Paris, France
Contact Information

Isabel Toman, Programme Officer Sustainable Development