In recognition of the community's combined dedication to human rights and social justice, York University has been designated the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Sustainable Development Goal Hub Chair for SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities. Joined by Vice-Chairs from across the globe, the UNAI SDG 10 Hub endeavours to advocate, educate, and collaborate towards reducing international inequality.
York’s recognition as UNAI Hub Chair for SDG 10 reflects the University’s founding commitment and continued leadership in reducing systemic inequalities through generating, sharing and acting on knowledge. The collective efforts of our faculty, students and staff show how universities can be powerful catalysts for making positive change on campuses and beyond.
Laina Bay-Cheng, Interim Provost and Vice President Academic
Vice Chairs for SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
Vice-Chair for Research & Innovation
University of Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom
Vice-Chair for Teaching and Education
Kristu Jayanti University (Deemed to be University)
Bengaluru, India
Sustainable Development Goal 10 aims to eliminate financial and social inequalities across the globe by promoting opportunities to all irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or other status, especially in the workplace.
- 10.1 - By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
- 10.2 - By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
- 10.3 - Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
- 10.4 - Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
- 10.5 - Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations
- 10.6 - Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions
- 10.7 - Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
- 10.a - Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements
- 10.b - Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes
- 10.c - By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent
Formed in 2010 as a subsidiary of HESI, UNAI is a network of over 1,600 higher education and research institutions. York joined in 2022 and submits annual progress reports on the institutional efforts to promote the SDGs in campus curriculum and operations.
Learn more at UNAI's Website.
York University has further implemented institution-wide efforts to enhance equity and inclusion and the core objective to leave no one behind
— Canada's 2023 Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals
York’s institutional commitment to the SDGs is enshrined in within the University Academic Plan (UAP) which challenges the university-wide community to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
45th in the world for action towards SDG 10
Times Higher Education Impact Ranking (2025)
900+ publications relevant to SDG 10
Elsevier (2020-2025)
1st university in Canada
to develop an Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy and an Indigenous Research Ethics Board
Centres and Divisions promoting Equity and Inclusion
Division of Equity, People and Culture
The Division of Equity, People and Culture is committed to the Anishinaabe teaching of Mino Bimaaddiziwin, the Good Life, across all facets of York University. Our goal is to help nurture an environment where we all have a stronger sense of connection, inclusion and wellbeing. This is our shared responsibility. We aim to invest in our people and to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all.
Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI)
York University’s Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (CHREI) promotes and builds a respectful, equitable, diverse, and inclusive university community. We strive to be a leader in providing accessible, impartial, non-adversarial, and confidential programs and services that uphold human rights, facilitate equitable access to opportunities, and champion diversity and inclusion.
Centre for Feminist Research
The Centre for Feminist Research / Le centre de recherches féministes promotes feminist activities and collaborative research at York University and works to establish research linkages between York scholars and local, national, international and transnational communities. Feminist research is conceived of in broad terms, as being concerned with issues of women, gender, class, race, sexuality, ability and feminism.
Centre for Refugee Studies
The Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) at York is an interdisciplinary community of researchers dedicated to advancing the well-being of refugees and others displaced by violence, persecution, human rights abuses, and environmental degradation through innovative research, education, and policy engagement. Since its inception in 1988, CRS has been recognized as an international leader in the creation, mobilization, and dissemination of new knowledge that addresses forced migration issues in local, national and global contexts.
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