Formal Remarks
IAU Policy Statements on HESD & Supported Declarations
The IAU adopts positions and develops Policy Statements on issues of global concern for higher education. The topics are identified by the Association’s leadership and membership. Each Statement is the product of extensive drafting and international consultations, and all statements are endorsed by the General Conference of the Association. In addition to advocating for the key role of higher education for sustainable development and Agenda 2030 at high-level events, the IAU also strengthens the voice of HESD in the higher education sector and beyond by publishing policy statements, endorsing international treaties and declarations, and collaborating with partners on formal remarks.
UNESCO Berlin Declaration on Education for Sustainable Development (adopted at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in 2021).
IAU Iquitos Statement on Education for Sustainable Development (drafted in 2014 and adopted in 2016 at the General Conference) IAU Members commit to build synergies and promote collaboration in favor of sustainable development.
IAU Kyoto Declaration on Sustainable Development (drafted and adopted in 1993) IAU Members urge all universities worldwide to undertake research and action to achieve sustainable development.
Letter from the President of the United Nations General Assembly (2017)
H.E. Peter Thomson, Former President of the United Nations General Assembly, reached out to the IAU to call on all leaders of higher education institutions to embrace the sustainable development goals. The Association disseminated the UN letter to all IAU Members and Partners worldwide. Read the letter from the President here.
Rio+20 People’s Sustainability Treaty on Higher Education (2012)
A partnership of over 30 agencies, organizations and associations, led by Copernicus Alliance and the IAU, developed the Higher Education People’s Sustainability Treaty to influence Rio + 20 dialogues.
UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development
The IAU was a key partner of the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (GAP ESD) that ended in 2019. The aim of UNESCO GAP ESD was to create and expand initiatives in five key priorities: advance policy, transform learning and training environments, build the capacities of educators and trainers, empower and mobilize youth, and accelerate sustainable solutions at a local level. The IAU is currently involved in the follow-up programme ESD for 2030, which was launched at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in May 2021.