A New Guide to Help Universities Accelerate Action on the SDGs

A new guide from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Australia/Pacific highlights the important role universities in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific have in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides practical guidance on how they can accelerate their contributions.

Getting started with the SDGs in universities: A guide for universities, higher education institutions, and the academic sector was prepared in collaboration with the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) , the global SDSN Secretariat, and Australian and New Zealand universities.

The Guide was launched by Universities Australia Chair Professor Margaret Gardner, and presented to Vice-Chancellors on 21 August at a Universities Australia event at Griffith University. “Universities have a critical role to play in achieving the SDGs through their research, innovation, education and leadership,” she said. “It is vital that this role is nationally recognised.”

There is increasing awareness of the unique and crucial role universities have in ensuring the success of the SDGs. “Governments alone cannot implement the SDGs. It will require a partnership that brings together governments, the private sector, civil society, and, importantly, universities and educational institutions,” said Professor John Thwaites, Chair of SDSN Australia/Pacific.