International Association of Universities (IAU)

1 rue Miollis

UNESCO House

75015 Paris

Mission

The International Association of Universities (IAU) is an international NGO with official associate status with UNESCO, that recognizes the key role higher education plays in the overall process of achieving sustainable development.

Download the leaflet IAU for HESD.

Contacts for sustainable development activities

Hilligje van 't Land, Secretary General
E-mail: h.vantland[@]iau-aiu.net

Stefanie Mallow, Programme Officer
E-mail: s.mallow[@]iau-aiu.net

Latest update: 01/22/2018

Actions towards sustainability for this organisation

News for this organisation

Higher Education and IAU at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development
17 to 19 May 2021- IAU and UNESCO will organize a session on the role of Higher Education for the SDGs Read more
CALL FOR PAPERS: IAU – E4J Grants Programme for Young Researchers
IAU and UNODC are launching a joint call for papers for young researchers working on issues related to SDG 16: peace, justice and strong institutions Read more
Social Impact and IAU HESD Cluster Members
IAU HESD Cluster leads Siam University, Thailand, and Beirut Arab University, Lebanon, recently presented their work with the SDGs and social impact during an online event Read more
Apply now for the International Green Gown Awards 2021
We are delighted to announce that the 2021 International Green Gown Awards are now open for applications - IAU has been a partner for many years Read more
IAU and Members at the UNODC E4J dialogue series
From 2-4 December 2020, IAU and Members took an active part in the UNODC E4J dialogue series. Recordings of sessions are now available. Read more
Joint MCO and IAU webinar on Sustainability - Recording available
On Dec. 15 2020, the Magna Charta Observatory and International Association co-organized a webinar on "Fostering sustainable development: the Role of higher education - plans, progress and values" Read more
IAU and UNODC E4J Dialogue Series 1-4 December 2020
IAU and Cluster Members are co-organizing a session on SDG16 and Higher Education Read more
Sustainable on the Go Conference - York University
Read the Conference Declaration and watch the recordings of this event Read more
IAU is a partner in the MECCE project
The Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Education (MECCE) Project was launched with the first virtual meeting of the project partners in September 2020. Read more
Recording and Summary available: Webinar on SDG 3 Health - UOC and IAU Cluster
The Open University of Catalonia and the International Associaton of Universities co-organized a webinar on Tuesday, 27th October, 14.30-16.00 CST (Paris/Barcelona) on "Higher education under examination: are we ready to train the future healthc Read more
Deadline extended: Call for contributions - Higher Education engages with SDG 14: Life below water
The International Association of Universities (IAU) and the University of Bergen (UiB) will jointly produce a publication on SDG 14, life below water, to show how universities engage in science and higher education. Read more
IAU Webinar Series on the Future of Higher Education
This fall, IAU is organizing a weekly webinar series, with international experts as guests and topics on Sustainable Development, Internationalization, Leadership, Technology and challenges for universities in times of COVID19. Read more
Global University Climate Forum 2020 - apply now!
IAU is partnering with the Global University Climate Forum 2020, organized by Yale Sustainability and partners. Students are invited to apply until 30 September to take part in this unique program and work towards a paper presented at COP26. Read more
IAU HESD Cluster and UN Global Goals Week 18-26 September 2020
Join the Global Goals week 18-26 September - share your initiatives for the SDGs with the IAU network! Read more
ProSPER.Net Webinar on Sustainability in Higher Education
The webinar will take place on Friday, 16 October, 2020, 3-5 p.m. JST (8-10a.m. CEST). IAU Secretary General, Dr. Hilligje van't Land, will be among the speakers discussing the engagement of higher education with sustainability. Read more
Podcast IAU-UNODC The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and higher education
IAU is pleased to be represented by IAU Secretary General, Dr Hilligje van't Land, in the first episode of a podcast series by UNODC on the SDGs and academia. Read more
IAU SDG 12 Cluster and IAU President join virtual Conference hosted by Moi University
From the 12th to 14th of August, 2020, the Virtual International Conference on Phytochemistry, Textile & Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development, hosted by Moi University, Kenya, took place. Read more
UNFCCC & UNESCO launching Action for Climate Empowerment dialogue
Education, Climate Action and Empowerment are discussed by actors from different governments, organisations, and other stakeholders. IAU joined the regional dialogue for Europe and Central Asia on 29 July 2020 Read more
A partnership for the higher education sector
During the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF) 2020, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), and the International Association of Universities (IAU) have formalised their collaboration t Read more
AUF, ACU and IAU share virtual exhibiton for the HLPF 2020
This virtual exhibition is organized by the partner associations International Association of Universities (IAU), l’Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) & the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Read more
Announcing the 2020 International Green Gown Awards Winners : IAU members awarded!
The winners of the 2020 International Green Gown Awards were announced on 8th July 2020 in an online bilingual ceremony hosted by Sonya Peres, Climate Commission Officer from EAUC and Carina Mutshele, Youth & Education Officer from United Nations Read more
IAU List of Virtual events on Higher Education (SDGs & COVID-19)
IAU is pleased to have collected recordings to offer you an overview of different virtual events related to SDGs and COVID-19 openly accessible online! Read more
Find out about IAU's participation in the UN High-Level Political Forum 2020!
The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the yearly conference of the United Nations where governments, UN Agencies and civil society come together to discuss the achievements that have been made towards Agenda 2030. Read more
2020 HLPF UN DESA/UNITAR SDGs Learning, Training and Practice Workshop
IAU/AUF/ACU, jointly with partners ICAE and the SDG Academy, will offer a virtual workshop titled: "Teaching, Learning and Integrating the SDGs at universities and beyond - Linking to the Decade of Action" at the High-Level-Political Forum Read more
International Green Gown Awards 2020 - Finalists announced
The 2020 International Green Gown Awards Finalists have been announced and can be found in a brochure just published by EAUC. The virtual Awards Ceremony will take place on 8th July 2020. Read more
Webinar “Reaching Sustainable Development Goals: universities and students looking for solutions" on Friday 5 June 2020
University PSL and the British Council are jointly launching a webinar entitled “Reaching Sustainable Development Goals: universities and students looking for solutions” on Friday 5 June 2020 Read more
Webinar "Hunger Zero : A new Green Revolution" is held by Antonio Nariño University
Antonio Nariño University (IAU Cluster Lead for SDG 2, Colombia) is organizing a webinar entitled "Hunger Zero : A new Green Revolution" which will take place on Thursday 21st May, as part of its Webinar series on SDG2. Read more
Latest Strategic Framework from University of Tehran is now available
The University of Tehran (Iran) has just presented its latest strategic framework for Involvement of Higher Education Institutions in SDG 6. Read more
IAU 2nd Global Survey Report on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development: Executive Summaries now available in Spanish and French
The Executive Summary of IAU's 2nd Global Survey Report on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) is now available in Spanish and French versions. Read more
IAU Horizons no 25.1 (April 2020) out now !
IAU has just published its new Horizons magazine focused on financing models impacting the future of higher education, including how financing is influencing the work of HEIs for Sustainable Development. Moreover, it presents IAU 16th General Confer Read more
IAU signs partnership agreement for the 8th World Sustainability Forum
[UPDATE 20.04.20: WSF 2020 will be a virtual meeting - conference postponed to 2021] IAU is happy to be partnering with the WSF 2020 Read more
IAU calls for more cooperation to push sustainable development agenda
In relation to the recent publication of its report on the Second Global Survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development, the IAU commented on the importance of collaboration and within and between Higher Education Institutions fo Read more
International Green Gown Awards 2020
The International Green Gown Awards are supported by UN Environment and are open to any university or college across the world. The 2020 Awards cycle is now open and will close on 31 March 2020. Read more
IAU, ACU and AUF strengthen joint collaboration to advance higher education
The International Association of Universities (IAU), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) have agreed to strengthen joint collaboration to advance and promote the contribution of hi Read more
Call for Papers on Gender Equality in Higher Education
A call is now open for contributions on SDG5 - Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls! Together with the University of Bologna, the institution leading the work on SDG5 in the Global Cluster on HESD, IAU invites Members to submit Read more
International Green Gown Awards Finalists announced
The winners will be announced on 10th July 2019 in New York as part of the United Nations High Level Political Forum. Find out more about the Awards Ceremony! Read more
2019 International Green Gown Awards - Application Deadline Extended until 29th March
The Association for Commonwealth Universities (ACU), L’Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and International Association of Universities (IAU) are supporting the International Green Gown Awards and will be co-hosting the International Green Read more
Letter from Peter Thomson To Leaders of Universities and other Higher Education Institutions around the World
The Former President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, reached out to the IAU to jointly call on leaders of all higher education institutions to embrace the SDGs and embed them in their institutional strategy. Read more
SDG Accord report launch
The SDG Accord currently has over 600 signatories, including 64 institutions representing 1.28 million students and nearly 100 global education sector networks representing 6000 institutions. Read more
IAU joined the International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals: Actors and Implementation
On September 18-19, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia hosted the International Conference on SDGs organized by the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi). IAU Secretary General, Dr. Hilligje van't Land, was one of the speaker. Read more
The SDG Accord: the University and College Sector’s Collective Response to the SDGs
The International Association of Universities is a founding endorsing partner of the SDG Accord. Read more
Higher Education Paving the Way to Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective
The IAU launches the report of its 2016 global survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD). Read more
IAU at the G7 University Summit “University Education for All. Actions for a sustainable future”
IAU represented by Prof. Stephen Freedman, IAU Board Member and Provost Fordham University, USA, attended G7 University Summit on “University Education for All. Actions for a sustainable future” in Udine, Italy (29-30 June 2017) Read more
IAU joined the University Alliance for Sustainability Spring Campus 2017
From March 27-31 Freie Universität hosted the second Spring Campus event of the University Alliance for Sustainability on the topic “Societal Transformation to Sustainability: Universities as Pacesetters?”. IAU Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Read more
Apply for Rockefeller Bellagio Center Academic Writers Residency programme!
Seize this unique opportunity to expand your work and put forward the value of academics’ contributions to the development of society. Read more
Call for Applications to test the HEIRRI training materials is now open!
The HEIRRI project calls on higher education institutions from all continents interested in Responsible Research and Innovation and its integration into the curricula for a pilot test of two of the training programs and materials developed by the HEI Read more
IAU 15th General Conference- Speakers’ presentations available online
From November 13 to 16, the IAU held its 15th General Conference in Bangkok which was hosted by a consortium of Thai universities. Read more
Season greetings
Newly-elected IAU President, Board as well as all of us in the Secretariat wish you health, peace and happiness in 2017 Read more
Pam Fredman new President of the International Association of Universities
The University of Gothenburg’s Vice-Chancellor has been elected President for a term of four years at the IAU’s fifteenth general conference in Bangkok 13–16 November. Read more
IAU took part in the jury of the 2016 French-speaking edition of the Green Gown Awards
French-speaking edition of the Green Gown Awards, les Trophées des campus responsables reward since 2014 Higher Education Institutions for their initiatives and commitment towards sustainable development. Read more
IAU/Palgrave & COPERNICUS Alliance Prizes in Higher Education Policy Research 2016-2017 Essay Competition Theme HESD: A New Academic Discipline?
Thanks to, and in partnership with, Palgrave Macmillan Ltd., publisher of the Association’s research and reference works, the International Association of Universities (IAU) and COPERNICUS Alliance (CA) are pleased to announce the 2016-2017 IAU/Palgr Read more
IAU signs a grant agreement with the Rockefeller Foundation of interest to its Members
IAU is pleased to announce the signature of a grant agreement with the Rockefeller Foundation (RF) to assist the Foundation with the development of the global outreach of the Rockefeller Bellagio Center Academic Writers in Residence Programme. Read more
IAU and COPERNICUS Alliance join forces to work on HESD
IAU and COPERNICUS Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD). Read more
IAU 15th General Conference on: Higher Education: A Catalyst for Innovative and Sustainable Societies
Come and celebrate 100 years of higher education system in Thailand and take part in a global debate on how to build more sustainable and innovative societies! Read more
HESD Selective Annotated Bibliography 2010-2016 now Available
Second edition of our selective Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development Bibliography. Read more
The IAU President, Dzulkifli ABDUL RAZAK, presents the concept of Sejahtera
TEDx event, July 2016 Read more
Preliminary results of IAU Global Survey on HESD
The preliminary results of the IAU Global Survey on HESD are now available. Read more
IAU Survey on HESD
"IAU is advocating recognition and strengthening of the role higher education plays in the overall process of achieving sustainable development. Read more
Contribute to UN report on Higher Education for Sustainable Urban Development
IAU as partner network to the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) (a partnership between UN-DESA, UNESCO, UNEP, UN Global Compact's Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, UNU and UN-Habitat) is please Read more
Job opportunity at IAU
IAU seeks a Programme Officer to work full time in the IAU offices in Paris. Read more
Open letter to COP21 ministers – Higher Education Institutions & Climate Change
COP21 Ministers urged to partner with Universities and Colleges Read more
Professional training programme on education for sustainable development
University of Zürich and IAU jointly pilot a professional training programme on Education for Sustainable Development Read more
IAU Horizons 21/1 focuses on “Social Innovation: Challenges and perspectives for higher education”
Focusing on the theme of the IAU Global Meeting of Associations 6, this issue offers a variety of papers on why and how higher education fosters social innovation. Read more
IAU Horizons 20/3 focuses on "Where In The World is Higher Education in the Post-2015 Development Agenda?"
Launched at the UNESCO World Conference on ESD in Nagoya the issue offers a series of 18 papers on why higher education plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more
Post-Nagoya Summary
The UNESCO World Conference on Educations for Sustainable Development (WC-ESD) adopts The Aichi-Nagoya Declaration and the launches the Global Action Programme. Read more
Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Higher Education Beyond 2014
The IAU is pleased to report that the International Conference on Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Higher Education Beyond 2014, which took place at Nagoya University on 9 November 2014, was a great success. Read more
ESD after 2014: Launching the Global Action Programme
The Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) seeks to generate and scale-up ESD action. It is intended to make a substantial contribution to the post-2015 agenda. Read more
World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development Calls for Renewed Commitment by all Countries
The World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, closed on November 12, 2014 with a declaration calling for urgent action to mainstream ESD and include ESD in the post-2015 development agenda. Read more
UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development 2014
To mark the end of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and the beginning of the Post 2015 agenda activities, UNESCO and the Government of Japan will hold the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development - Learni Read more
Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Higher Education Beyond 2014
The IAU is pleased to announce the upcoming International Conference on Higher Education for Sustainable Development: Higher Education Beyond 2014. Read more
IAU Iquitos Statement on HESD is finalized and published online
Drafted at the IAU 2014 International Conference on Blending Higher Education and Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Development which took place at the Universdad Cientifica del Peru, in Iquitos, Peru, in March 2014 Read more
The survey on the state of higher education for sustainable development is now closed
The UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development is coming to its end and the new UN Global Action Programme on ESD is about to be launched. Read more
The state of higher education for sustainable development
The UN Decade on Education for Sustainable Development is coming to its end and the new UN Global Action Programme on ESD is about to be launched. Read more
IAU Iquitos Statement on HESD for comments and suggestions
The IAU 2014 International Conference on Blending Higher Education and Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Development took place at the Universdad Cientifica del Peru, in Iquitos, Peru, from 19-21 March 2014 Read more
Invitation to the IAU 2014 International Conference
The IAU 2014 International Conference on Blending Higher Education and Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Development takes place at the Universdad Cientifica del Peru, in Iquitos, Peru, from 19-21 March 2014 Read more