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SDG Month Unites Canadian Campuses

By SDSN Canada

This post was originally published by University of Calgary and SDSN Canada

This month, universities and colleges across Canada will come together for the first Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Month Canada, a nationwide initiative dedicated to increasing awareness and engagement with the United Nations' 17 SDGs.

The University of Calgary, the new host of Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Canada Network (SDSN Canada), is co-hosting this initiative with the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Sustainability Hub and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). 

A Month of Events

Formerly known as SDG Week Canada, which was first hosted by the University of British Columbia in 2022, the initiative now takes place over a month. Throughout March, students, educators and community members will participate in workshops, panels and interactive events to accelerate the SDGs at post-secondary schools in a coordinated and collaborative way.

This is an “opportunity to empower individuals, strengthen connections and drive meaningful progress on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” said Dr. Christine Daly, PhD’23 (Environmental Design), SDSN Canada chair and associate director of UCalgary’s Office of Institutional Commitments.

Last year, the impact of events across Canada was undeniable: 33 campuses hosted more than 100 events focused on the SDGs, engaging thousands of participants in critical conversations about climate action, social equity, responsible consumption and more. Now extended to a full month, its impact is expected to further increase.

What to Expect from SDG Month Canada 2025

This year, campuses from coast to coast will host an even wider array of workshops, expert panels and hands-on activities, ensuring that SDG action remains at the forefront of campus life.

“Across the country, post-secondary campuses and local communities are answering the global call to action to advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Daly. “Together, we can develop creative solutions to address urgent sustainability challenges and shape the foundation for a better future.”

Institutions will participate by raising awareness around the SDGs through interdisciplinary teaching and learning opportunities, building the goals into their campus operations, strategic planning, instruction, and research. Additionally, institutions will foster collaborations and integrate core values to promote inclusive and respectful conversations, aiming to develop universal, transformative and interconnected solutions.

For example, UBC’s Sustainability Hub has been developing awareness of the SDGs on its campus and beyond for the last five years, said Dr. Janice L. Stewart, PhD, deputy provost and associate dean (faculty) of UBC’s Faculty of Arts.

“Universities can play a pivotal role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through innovative research and education,” said Stewart. “We are excited to co-launch the first SDG Month Canada to engage more campuses and organizations across Canada.”

Featured events in March include:

March is filled with programming, but the conversation will extend beyond that. Together | Ensemble 2025, SDSN Canada’s flagship conference on the SDGs, will be taking place on May 26 and 27 at UCalgary. The national hybrid event will bring together policymakers, researchers and changemakers to discuss the next steps in Canada’s sustainability journey.

You can learn more about SDG Month Canada and view the full list of events happening in March. Additional events may be found on the University of Calgary/SDSN Canada event calendar.


SDSN Canada’s host institution, University of Calgary, co-leads an initiative to advance the United Nations' goals.