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FEBRUARY 2023
NEWSLETTER
“We still do not know one thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us.”
– Albert Einstein
UNEP YEA! Member Spotlight
AGUYEN
Each month we profile a member of the UNEP Youth and Education Alliance (YEA!). The Alliance is the global network of higher education sustainability networks committed to delivering environmental, economic and societal transformation through education in partnership with UNEP. Read more about YEA! here. This month we are delighted to profile the African Green Universities and Youth Education Network (AGUYEN), a key partner representing African universities in the Alliance.
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AGUYEN was launched in March 2021 and is now part of UNEP YEA!. The network is run by the Hassan II International Centre for Environmental Training, which is the academic arm of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa.
As of today, this network represents 30 universities from 9 African countries (Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda). The network aims to facilitate leadership in sustainability for higher education and youth networks in Africa. AGUYEN is called upon to promote the integration of elements of sustainability in higher education institutions, while seeking to improve the environmental skills and behaviors of youth and future generations.
Based on three main pillars, Education, Training and Networking, this network aims to promote the integration of environmental and sustainable development issues in teaching, research, and campus management. The Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training works to make a positive impact for the environment through African universities and youth as agents of change.
The network’s activities have included capacity building workshops, the development of training material, awareness raising campaigns, and more. In 2022, AGUYEN members engaged in UNEA 5.2, the UNFCCC MENA and Africa Regional Climate Weeks and COP 27.
If you are an African university or an African youth network, please get in touch with AGUYEN at centreinternationalhassan2@
What else is new?
2023 INTERNATIONAL GREEN GOWN AWARDS NOW OPEN
The International Green Gown Awards, in partnership with Allianz Global Investors, and supported by UN Environment Programme, recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges around the globe. The Awards cover all aspects of educational institutions, including teaching and research, leadership, campus infrastructure, catering and nutrition, as well as how university communities can benefit both themselves and society more broadly. The Awards platform the benchmarks for excellence in sustainability and are respected by Governments, funding councils, senior management teams, academics and students.
Matt Christensen, Global Head of Sustainable & Impact Investing at Allianz Global Investors says: “After a very successful start to our partnership with the International Green Gown Awards last year, we are looking forward to seeing even more innovative projects and ideas from universities and colleges in 2023 on how to tackle global sustainability challenges. In particular, we are excited by the addition of the two new categories to address the crisis in biodiversity and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Biodiversity is becoming a major theme for financial institutions, and we are glad to see the higher education sector also coming together through the UN-backed Nature Positive Universities Alliance to play its part. Equally importantly, we must cultivate a mindset that every one of us is a stakeholder in our future and [emphasize] the importance of providing and promoting equal opportunities for all.”
The application deadline is Friday, 31st March 2023. Apply Now!
Solutions Summit: Trends and Recommended Actions for Sustainability in Research and Education
Date: 5th April 2023
Time: 9-10am ET / 3-4pm CET with networking 10-10:30am ET / 4-4:30pm CET
Where: Join virtually and sign up via the registration link – the session will be recorded and shared with registrants.
Join the SDG Publishers Compact Fellows and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative in a Solutions Summit. The virtual event will focus on top recommended actions from current trends in education related to sustainable development. Understand how to connect to the Sustainable Development Goals within academic research and educational materials. Network with your peers and publishing experts and more. We look forward to seeing you there.
HESI Workshop Series
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) supports four action groups that tackle specific topics related to higher education for sustainable development. Action groups draw upon the full HESI community to carry out their work and are usually composed of several organizations and contributors.
This year, four webinars will be organized to present the work of each action group, including upcoming plans, recent results and ways for the HESI community to engage with the group. Please join us for these webinars. More information and registration is available here.
Youth Survey for Climate Change Action
As the generation which will face the consequences of climate change throughout their lives, youth potentially have a lot to gain if the rising temperatures are tamed or reversed. But, in addition to willpower, they need the right knowledge and skills to make it happen.
How can we better equip youth to act on the climate crisis? That’s what this 10-minute survey aims to unveil. Help UN CC:Learn empower young people by giving them your views on youth and climate change.
Take the survey (available in 7 languages) and learn more here!
Get In Touch With Us
Do you have any interesting calls to action, research asks or helpful information to share with others? Please don’t hesitate to send them to [email protected] and we will select a few to include in our next newsletter.