A consensus statement on the role of higher education in “Building Sustainable Futures” was approved by roughly 65 participants at the Global Higher Education Symposium 2026, held alongside the United Nations High‑Level Political Forum 2026 on Sustainable Development.
Universities positioned as key players in the SDG agenda
The statement, titled “Building Sustainable Futures: A Consensus Statement of the Unique Position of HE in Pursuing Solutions,” frames universities as central to advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the upcoming post‑2030 agenda. It was drafted after a year of consultations that began at the inaugural GHES in 2025, a meeting organized by the International Association of Universities, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, UNESCO and UN Academic Impact.
Charles Hopkins, UNESCO chair in reorienting education toward sustainability, was highlighted as the “key enabler of all SDGs.” Hopkins, who leads York University’s United Nations Academic Impact Hub Chair for SDG 10, noted that universities are already active on campuses and through research to support the 2030 goals.
Aleksandra Saša Gorišek, head of the Civil Society and Academic Impact Section in the UN Department of Global Communications, told University World News that while UN agencies work with universities in specific cases, they have not done so systematically. The GHES meeting allowed participants to discuss the statement openly, and several, including Hopkins and Gorišek, agreed to be interviewed for the report.
The consensus document opens with a description of the challenges institutions face, noting pressures such as declining public trust, threats to academic freedom and gaps between research, policy and practice. It argues that these challenges reinforce why higher education is essential.
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Trust, inclusion and the push for knowledge from diverse sources
One section asserts that universities can provide trustworthy information during uncertainty and help rebuild public confidence while defending the authority of knowledge. Gorišek cited the Edelman Trust Barometer, which places education at a high trust rating globally, second only to scientists.
In practice, the statement suggests that integrating SDGs into curricula should resemble the inclusion of ethics, using case studies that cut across disciplines.
Universities are also urged to become “living labs,” a concept Hopkins explained by comparing campuses to small cities that can monitor water and energy use and experiment with renewable technologies.
These examples illustrate how higher education can move beyond traditional campus boundaries, yet the transition is not without challenges. Funding models remain fragmented, and many governments have allowed increased privatization, which could erode the capacity of universities to support societal progress.
While some observers fear that a focus on “employability” may turn education into a service, the consensus statement emphasizes that universities must balance job preparation with broader citizenship education. The document warns that a narrow approach to learning—delivering micro‑credentials for specific jobs—risks producing graduates who lack a deeper understanding of their fields.
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In the middle of these discussions, it becomes clear that the real impact of these commitments will be felt by students and local communities who rely on universities for knowledge and practical solutions. If institutions can truly embed the SDGs into everyday teaching and research, the benefits could ripple outward, offering more equitable access to quality education and supporting local economies.
The statement’s final section calls for a shift toward transdisciplinary collaboration and for governments to commit adequate resources to higher education. Hopkins stressed that well‑funded institutions are essential for maintaining staff conditions, research capacity and community engagement.
They acknowledge the challenges universities face, but assert that their unique position makes them indispensable partners in achieving sustainable development worldwide.
It is done.
