UNESCO ESD-NET Europe–North America Regional Workshop: Strengthening Collaboration for ESD for 2030
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to take part in the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Regional Meeting held from 21-23 January 2026 in Bucharest, Romania. The IAU contributed to rich exchanges with colleagues and partners from across Europe and North America, and shared updates from the project-focused ESD symposium earlier that week.
Representing the IAU, Senior Programme Officer for HESD Isabel Toman engaged in discussions that highlighted Education for Sustainable Development as a truly holistic approach, connecting disciplines, education levels, and sectors, and supporting educational institutions in addressing complex global challenges in an integrated way.
Learning, exchange, and whole-institution approaches
The brought together participants for three days of open dialogue, practical examples, and collective reflection on the future direction of ESD. Exchanges focused in particular on whole-institution approaches, ESD competencies and assessment, learning through practice, and the importance of collaboration across institutions and borders.
The workshop underscored the value of regional and international networks in supporting institutions as they translate ESD commitments into concrete action and awareness to policymakers, while also creating space for honest discussion on challenges, lessons learned, and emerging priorities.
Looking ahead to ESD for 2030 and beyond
For the IAU, participation in the UNESCO ESD Regional Meeting reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and partnership in advancing ESD for 2030 and beyond. The discussions in Bucharest provided renewed momentum for continued collaboration with ministerial representatives, national UNESCO commissions, experts from universities, and international partners working to embed sustainability across education systems.
IAU warmly thanks UNESCO, the Romanian National Commission for UNESCO, and the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest for hosting the meeting, as well as all partners and colleagues whose engagement and shared commitment made the exchanges both meaningful and forward-looking.
Participants at the UNESCO ESD Regional Meeting in Bucharest, Romania (Photo Credit: UNESCO)
