Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education: Insights from the 2026 HESD Cluster Workshop in Tunisia
A Global Gathering for Sustainable Development
On 21–22 April 2026, the International Association of Universities (IAU), in partnership with the University of Carthage, the University of Manouba, and the University of Sousse, was pleased to convene an expert meeting and workshop on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) in Carthage, Tunisia. The IAU was represented by Secretary General Dr. Hilligje van’t Land and IAU Senior Programme Officer for HESD, Isabel Toman. The event gathered around 50 experts, including leadership and HESD Cluster members from Tunisia and across the globe, representing the IAU HESD Cluster and reinforcing international collaboration on sustainable development.
Driving Collective Action for the 2030 Agenda
The first day of the workshop underscored the urgency of collective action as universities help advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Moderated by Jouhaina Gherib (IAU Vice-President, former President of University of Manouba), high-level speakers in the opening segment included the Presidents of the three co-hosting universities, Nadia Mzoughi (University of Carthage), Amer Cherif (University of La Manouba), and Lotfi Belkacem (University of Sousse), as well as Tunisian Ministry for Higher Education representative Murad Bellassoued (Chief of Staff at the Ministry for HE and Research, Tunisia) and Rana Taha (United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tunisia), who all emphasized how higher education institutions must extend beyond their traditional roles.
Further contributions from Noah Sobe (Chief of Section, Higher Education, UNESCO, video message), Hilligje van’t Land, Charles Hopkins (UNESCO Co-Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, York University), Marta Aymerich (Director of the eHealth Centre: Research for Human and Planetary Health, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)) and Marc Graells Font (Project Manager and Technical Coordinator, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)), and Cristina Demaria (Professor, University of Bologna) during the opening and subsequent panel discussion highlighted the importance of innovation, global partnerships, and institutional change approaches, particularly in advancing SDG17.
The second day focused on collaborative engagement, with participants working toward a common HESD Cluster action plan, which will be further discussed at online meetings for Cluster members in the end of May. Additionally, a workshop on the whole-institution approach to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) was led by Dr. Hilligje van’t Land, Isabel Toman, and Katrin Kohl (York University). The workshop provided practical insights for embedding sustainability across institutional structures.
The discussions from the two-day workshop contributed to the development of a draft position paper to be published ahead of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum, reflecting a shared commitment to coordinated global action.
Strengthening Partnerships and Institutional Dialogue
In addition to the workshop, Dr van't Land and Dr Gherib, had the honor to meet with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia, Mondher Belaid, and Professor Mourad Bellassoued, Chief of Staff at the Ministry in Tunisia. Amongst the topics discussed was the significance of aligning HE research with the SDGs. Additionally, the Minister expressed strong support for the IAU Global HESD Cluster work and was pleased to be represented at the meeting by Pr. Mourad Bellassoued. His opening words to the Global HESD Cluster Meeting reinforced the will of the Ministry to support Tunisian universities engagement in global cooperation to accelerate the 2030 Agenda.
Furthermore, the IAU had the pleasure of participating in an official visit to the University of Carthage. The visit brought together Hilligje van’t Land, Jouhaina Gherib, and Isabel Toman to meet with the University President, Nadia Mzoughi, alongside Vice-Presidents Mongi Besbes and Afef Abdelkarim. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to reinforce international cooperation and foster academic partnerships. Discussions focused on the transformation of higher education in Tunisia, strategic developments at the University of Carthage, the importance of internationalization and strengthened higher education cooperation, and, overall, on how the University of Carthage works towards the enhancement of quality higher education.
Strengthening Collaboration
Addressing key and timely topics, this exchange highlighted the importance of collaborative dialogue in shaping inclusive and globally connected higher education systems. The IAU much appreciated the exchange and owes the success of the 2026 Global HESD Cluster Workshop and Expert Meeting to the invaluable contributions of all participants, as well as the University of Carthage, the University of Manouba, and the University of Sousse.
