International collaboration to advance the SDGs and a world beyond 2030
We collaborate with partner institutions and experts in 70+ countries to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and more recently a potential framework reaching beyond 2030 through international research, knowledge exchange and policy dialogue.
Through global research networks, comparative research, international conferences, joint publications and other collaborative initiatives, the UNESCO Chair brings together perspectives and evidence from different regions and contexts. These collaborations enable partners to examine and compare approaches to Education for Sustainable Development and the wider SDGs, identify effective practices, and jointly develop and advance international good practice.
Longstanding partnerships with universities, UNESCO and other United Nations entities, governments, international associations, civil society and other education stakeholders provide a continuous global learning space in which knowledge and experience are shared across countries and regions. Outcomes include international research, policy recommendations, declarations, guidance, publications and collaborative initiatives designed to support progress on the SDGs.
These trusted international relationships are central to York University’s contribution to SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals, while supporting progress across the wider 2030 Agenda. With involvement into foresight and visioning exercises led by UNESCO, the UNESCO CHair is already active in helping to define education beyond 2030.
The UNESCO Chair is official partner in both UNESCO global ESD initiatives, the Greening Education Partnership and the ESD for 2030 Roadmap.
Within the wider UN system, the UNESCO Chair is an institutional member in the Education & Academia Stakeholder Group. Both Chairholder Charles Hopkins and Coordinator Katrin Kohl are individual members of the Academic Council on the United Nations System.
Furthermore, the UNESCO Chair at York University initiated and currently hosts the following networks, engaging with and advancing ESD in 53 countries:
The International Network of Teacher Education Institutions (established in 2000)
The International Network of Teach Education Institutions (INTEI) promotes scaling up ESD in teacher education policies, programmes, and practices, i.e., whole-institution approaches. Since inception, the INTEI has been a unique source of recommendations for policy makers, educators and practitioners seeking to embed ESD within teacher education.
Its newest research project is Peace, Empowerment, and Action through Reflective Leadership (PEARL): Empowering Non-Formal Leadership in the Teaching Profession through ESD. Learn more about PEARL.
The #IndigenousESD Research Network (since 2017)
The #IndigenousESD Research Network is the first international network of researchers focusing on improving the education of Indigenous Peoples around the world in light of the SDGs, in particular SDG targets 4.5 and 4.7. In the network, Indigenous communities, students, teachers, parents, NGOs, municipalities, and governments engage on equal footing to inform policy makers in education.
The UNESCO Chair is partner to in several global networks, such as:
The UNITWIN Network on Education for Sustainable Development Societal Transformation (since 2021)
The UNiESD&ST is the first recognized UNITWIN Network in the world that focuses on ESD and societal transformation with research, policy development and implementation of ESD at all levels of education. It provides specific recommendations summarizing regards to global perspectives on ESD and teacher education.
The IAU Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development Cluster (since 2020)
The International Association of Universities (IAU) launched the HESD Cluster to advocate for the key role that higher education institutions play in achieving Agenda 2030. This global endeavor directly engages universities in addressing all 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). York University holds the global focal point on SDG 4. Together, IAU and York University are partners in the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), an open partnership between several United Nations entities to advance the SDGs in higher education.
The Global Network of Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (since 2005)
The Global RCE Network is a programme initiated and administered by the United Nations University’s Institute for the Advanced Studies on Sustainability (UNU-IAS). The RCE networks work both locally to bring ESD policy into local practice, and collectively by collaboratively sharing their expertise in a “Global Learning Space”. The UNESCO Chair was involved in the founding of the Programme, has been long-time advisory body to the RCE Network and works closely with RCEs in the Americas and in Asia.
The International Partner Network of the UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Lifestyles (since 2024)
The UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Lifestyles (ESL) was awarded to University of Inland Norway in 2015 and has been renewed both in 2019 and 2023. The Chair was awarded based on INN’s longstanding engagement and network building on education and research about responsible living. The action plan for 2024-2027 is structured around six priority areas. These action areas are: 1) Research and concept development, 2) Higher Education institutional strengthening, 3) Innovative learning processes, 4) Capacity building and competency development, 5) Partnership and cooperation, and 6) Advocacy and information dissemination.
The UN Academic Hub Network
York University also engages with the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) through its institutional role as a UNAI SDG 10 Hub Chair for 2025–2027. Complementing this university-wide role, the UNESCO Chair worked directly with UNAI and international higher education partners through the Global Higher Education Symposium and the development of Building Sustainable Futures: A Consensus Statement on the Unique Position of Higher Education in the Pursuit of Solutions.
Recognition for global engagement
For their continuous efforts in enabling people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony and thrive towards sustainability, both UNESCO Chair team members, Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl, have been appointed Fellows to the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).
In 2025, Charles Hopkins received the Order of Canada.
Our partner mapping is always work in progress: We invite our partners to share contact information, video and photo links for this map. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to unescochair(at)edu.yorku.ca.