Discussions on the Transformative Impact of Education
Bordeaux, France – August 2026
From 26-28 August, Isabel Toman, IAU Senior Programme Officer for Higher Education and Sustainable Development (HESD) attended and presented a paper at the 2026 Higher Education Summit. This year’s edition of the conference, organised by Copernicus Aliance, the European Network on Higher Education for Sustainable Development, was hosted by Bordeaux Montaigne University. It brought together an international audience of students, educators, and changemakers in the field of transformative learning for sustainable development within higher education from all around the world.
Exploring the Transformative Learning Paradigm
Green campus at the University of Bordeaux Montaigne.
The 2026 Higher Education Summit explored how Education for Sustainable Development can have a transformative impact on how we learn, think, and act in a rapidly changing world by empowering learners to navigate complexity, embrace diversity, and drive meaningful change. It covered the themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), decolonialization, teaching and learning, community and student engagement, while also giving room for discussions on philosophical and socio-critical concepts such as eco pedagogy—or emotional learning—critical thinking, and ways of knowing.
‘Networking corner’ and Brainstorming with BOKU University (Austria).
Following the UNESCO 2030 ESD Roadmap
Through interactive workshops and insightful presentation, including a keynote by Noah W. Sobe, Chief of Section for Higher Education at UNESCO presenting UNESCO HE Roadmap (2026), the Summit drew from the UNESCO 2030 Roadmap on Education for Sustainable Development and the Berlin Declaration to allow participants to reflect on how current practices in higher education can be improved to achieve a more, sustainable and just future.
Noah W. Sobe, Chief of Section for Higher Education at UNESCO, presenting UNESCO’s HE Roadmap.
Presenting the Whole-Institution Approach to Advance Sustainability in Higher Education
On the third day, Isabel Toman held a presentation of the paper "Advancing Transformative ESD through a Whole-Institution Approach: Evidence from Action Research and Insights from Guidance Tool Design." The session was an opportunity to share learnings and challenges from the recent collaboration between the IAU and UNESCO on the Transforming Futures project. The initiative aims at developing practical tools to support educators and institutions worldwide in the integration of ESD into education systems. To this end, the IAU worked on the conceptualization of a Whole-Institution Approach guidance tool, which will be officially launched at the Transforming Futures event by UNESCO on September 17.
Isabel Toman (IAU), on the right, presenting IAU HESD and a paper on the Whole-Institution Approach.
IAU’s Partnerships and Commitment to ESD
As a steadfast advocate for the key role that higher education plays in advancing sustainable development, the IAU welcomed the opportunity to join our partner organizations, including Copernicus Alliance, Sulitest, SOS International, Oikos International, and CIRSES in exchanging ideas and practices on how higher education can become an agent of transformation. The event was also attended by multiple IAU Members, namely Leuphana University (Germany), Rhodes University (South Africa), HNBE (Eberswalde, Germany).
Following the conference, the IAU is planning to strengthen cooperation with Copernicus and other connections from the conference. The IAU will also submit a contribution to the conference proceedings (see HES conference website for updates).
The IAU warmly thanks the organisers of this conference, the Copernicus Alliance and Bordeaux Montaigne University, for the invitation, and all speakers and participants for the inspiring presentations and exchanges.
Find out more on IAU’s work on Higher Education and Sustainable Development.
