News
Read below IAU news both from the Association and from its Members. Search or filter news by category (IAU or Member News), as well as by subject matter.
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Transformation and "Vibe Shifts" in Higher Education Sustainability
From 21–23 September 2026, Isabel Toman, Senior Programme Officer for Sustainable Development, represented the IAU at the Sustainability in Higher Education: Between Transformation and Vibe Shifts conference, hosted by Freie Universität Berlin in collaboration with the European University Alliance Una Europa
UWN and IAU Launch New Commentary Series: Beyond 2030: Higher Education and the Future of Sustainable Development
University World News (UWN) and the International Association of Universities (IAU) are launching a new 12-month commentary series exploring the evolution of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of higher education in the post-2030 sustainable development agenda.
Education for Sustainable Development – Launch of new UNESCO Guidance Tools with IAU
The IAU is pleased to announce that on 17 September 2026, UNESCO launched 3 new guidance tools for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) during an online event.
Discussions on the Transformative Impact of Education
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.
The Maldives National University Awarded IAU RFI Fee Waiver 2026
The IAU is excited to announce that Maldives National University (MNU) has received the annual IAU Responsible Futures International Fee Waiver to participate in the RFI 2026-2027 cohort, starting in October.
Advancing Education and Science for Sustainable Development
In July 2026, the IAU actively participated in two pivotal UNESCO events this July: the Transforming Education Summit +4 (TES+4) and the 2026 Global Conference on the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD 2024–2033).
Sustainability Spaces – EUA Podcast Series
The European University Association (EUA) is pleased to share the launch of Sustainability Spaces, a new podcast series exploring how universities are shaping the future of sustainability within and beyond the campus.
University of Costa Rica (UCR) to host the PLEA 2026 International Conference
With this event, Costa Rica becomes the first Central American country to host this global meeting under the leadership of the IAU Member University of Costa Rica (UCR).
Advancing Women’s Leadership in European Higher Education Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
On 10 June 2026, the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) convened its annual conference in Brussels, bringing together women academic leaders from Europe and beyond under the theme: “Women’s Leadership in Academia in Times of Rising Geopolitical Tensions”. The event provided a critical space to reflect on the role of universities in upholding democracy, academic freedom, and international cooperation—values under pressure in an era of fragmentation and uncertainty.
Université Catholique de Lille to Lead the IAU HESD Subcluster Work on SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The International Association of Universities (IAU) and Université Catholique de Lille are pleased to announce that Université Catholique de Lille has confirmed the leadership and coordination of the IAU Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) Subcluster on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities.
IAU at the HLPF 2026
From 7 to 15 July 2026, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will be held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. The 2026 Forum will focus on the theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all.”
Responsible Futures International Fee Waiver 2026
Since 2025, the IAU offers one fee waiver to cover the participation of one IAU Member HEI for the Responsible Futures International programme.
HESD Global Cluster: Expert Meeting 2026
Building Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development: The IAU HESD Cluster and the Road Ahead to 2030
UNESCO ESD-NET Europe–North America Regional Workshop: Strengthening Collaboration for ESD for 2030
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to part in the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Regional Meeting held from 21-23 January 2026 in Bucharest, Romania.
Launch of the 4th IAU Global Survey on HESD
The IAU is pleased to announce that it will conduct the 4th Global Survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development in 2026.
University of Ilorin Awarded IAU RFI Grant
We are thrilled to announce that our Member the University of Ilorin has been awarded the IAU Fee Waiver 2025/26 to participate in the Responsible Futures International Programme- becoming the first higher education institution in Nigeria to join the programme.
Charting New Horizons for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
From 19-21 November 2025, the IAU co-facilitated a dynamic workshop at the conference Charting New Horizons for Education for Sustainable Development.