- About
- Commitments
- Sustainable Development Goals
- The Goals
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 3: Good health and well-being
- SDG 4: Quality education
- SDG 5: Gender equality
- SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
- SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
- SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
- SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
- SDG 13: Climate action
- SDG 14: Life below water
- SDG 15: Life on land
- SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
- About
- The Goals
- SFU at COP
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Sustainability and Climate Plan
- Reports
- Get involved
- Contact
Partnerships for the goals
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
The Global Goals can only be met if we work together. International investments and support are needed to ensure innovative technological development, fair trade, and market access, especially for developing countries. To build a better world, we need to be supportive, empathetic, inventive, passionate, and above all, cooperative.
How SFU is contributing
Achieving the UN SDGs depends on strong cross-sector partnerships and the integration of diverse knowledge systems. SFU actively convenes collaboration and dialogue across disciplines and across local, national, and global scales. We work alongside government, industry, non-governmental and community-based organizations, civil society, and academic partners to cultivate relationships grounded in mutuality, justice, reciprocity, and equity.
Through these partnerships, SFU enables researchers, students, and faculty to co-design solutions that are responsive to community priorities while advancing shared sustainability outcomes. By collaborating with non-governmental and community-based organizations, SFU amplifies collective impact and strengthens the capacity of communities to address complex social, environmental, and economic challenges in alignment with the SDGs.
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
SFU is a partner of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), hosted and led by the University of Victoria in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, SFU and the University of Northern British Columbia. PICS was established in 2008 with an endowment from the B.C. government. The organization partners with governments, the private sector, researchers, non-governmental and community-based organizations to research, monitor and assess the potential impacts of climate change. It also aims to evaluate, develop and promote viable mitigation and adaptation options to inform climate change options and actions for B.C., Canada and the world.
Association of Pacific Rim Universities
The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) plays an important role in promoting international collaboration across the Asia Pacific Region to advance knowledge and innovation to address the challenges of the 21st century. SFU is a key member of this coalition of global institutions. Recently, the university presidents of APRU identified three priority areas to engage members of the network, including supporting diversity, inclusion and minorities. While many of the APRU programs consider this priority through their activities, several existing APRU programs focus specifically on this priority area, including the Indigenous Knowledges Working Group, Overcoming Anti-Asian Racism, and the Asia Pacific Women in Leadership Program which are aligned with the UN sustainable development goals.
Action on Climate Team (ACT)
SFU’s Action on Climate Team advances collaborative climate adaptation across Canada by partnering with municipalities, Indigenous governments, provincial agencies, and community organizations to co-develop policy tools and planning frameworks. Through shared learning and applied research, ACT supports public-sector capacity to design climate-resilient communities. This work strengthens multi-stakeholder partnerships, directly contributing to SDG 17.
CityStudio
CityStudio connects SFU students and faculty with the City of Vancouver, City of Surrey, and community partners to co-design solutions to real urban sustainability and social challenges. The model embeds community-engaged learning into academic programs while generating policy- and practice-relevant outcomes for local governments. This partnership model advances SDG 17 by linking higher education with municipal innovation networks.
Renewable Cities
Renewable Cities is a global program of SFU's Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver, Canada. Its mission is to work with policymakers and practitioners to accelerate the transition to renewable, restorative, resilient cities through meaningful engagement, critical research, capacity building and policy innovation. Using research-based dialogue, collaboration and thought leadership, Renewable Cities works towards urban energy solutions with cities, governments, the private sector, utilities, researchers and civil society.
SFU International
SFU International is the university’s hub for global partnerships, leading the mobilisation of SFU’s teaching, research, and community engagement through an expansive network of international relationships, knowledge resources, and institutional collaboration. The division ensures SFU’s global engagement is underpinned by its SDG framework and a commitment to values of mutuality, equity and innovation. With over 200 active formal agreements and strategic collaborations with universities, governments, industry and community organizations worldwide, SFU International strengthens SFU’s global engagement and plays a key role in advancing SDG 17.
Partnership with the Aga Khan University (AKU)
SFU and the Aga Khan University (AKU) maintain a long-term, collaborative partnership focused on education, research, and community-engaged sustainability initiatives across East Africa and South Asia. Through this partnership, the two institutions co-develop programs that support faculty collaboration, student mobility, and community-based climate resilience efforts. One example is the jointly established Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (ACER) in Tanzania, alongside the Climate Change and Community Resilience Field School, which offers students applied, place-based learning experiences grounded in local knowledge and global partnership.
Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
SFU is an active member of APRU, allowing us to advance SDG 17 by fostering cross-sector collaboration, network-building, and collective action across the Asia Pacific region. APRU provides a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and resource sharing, enabling researchers, students, and communities to collaborate through equity-centered, reciprocal, and long-term relationships. By participating in joint research networks and leadership programs, SFU strengthens regional cooperation, supports inclusive decision-making, and mobilizes partnerships that advance sustainable development across borders. Initiatives where SFU is actively engaging include:
APRU Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Hub, led by University of Oregon, connects researchers, policymakers, and community partners across the region to co-design sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urban and regional landscapes through collaborative research and shared learning.
APRU Global Health Program, led by the University of Southern California, coordinates universities, government bodies, industry and civil society to advance joint solutions to shared health challenges and strengthen global health systems through capacity building and policy engagement.
APRU Indigenous and First Nations Knowledges Network, co-led by University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and University of Melbourne, brings together member universities to foster knowledge exchange, multilateral collaborations, and the integration of Indigenous, First Nations, Māori and Pacific knowledge systems into research, teaching and leadership in higher education.
APRU Food Security & Agritech Hub, co-hosted by Simon Fraser University, Nanyang Technological University, and the National University of Singapore, builds an interdisciplinary research and innovation ecosystem that leverages advanced agritech (AI, IoT-sensors, robotics, alternative proteins) and cross-sector partnerships to drive sustainable, equitable food systems across the region.
APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship, led by Chulalongkorn University, engages students in intercultural, transdisciplinary learning on the UN SDGs. SFU was one of the inaugural partner universities involved in the program’s launch, contributing to its early design and development. SFU continues to participate by nominating students to join global classrooms, intercultural dialogue sessions, and applied SDG project work that strengthen global citizenship, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE)
IOHE is a non-profit network dedicated to building multi-stakeholder partnerships, enabling knowledge exchange, and strengthening capacity-building among higher education institutions across the Americas. With SFU as a member since 2015 and SFU’s President Dr. Joy Johnson serving as Vice-President for Canada from 2020-2024, IOHE has supported SFU in mobilizing cross-institutional cooperation and regional collaborative action. Initiatives include:
Collaborative University Research Projects on the Implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Invited member institutions to submit proposals and supported 10 selected projects from 83 institutions across 15 countries, advancing shared research and collective approaches to achieving the SDGs.
Collaborative Training Activities on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A call for joint training programs to strengthen institutional capacity for SDG implementation through shared learning models, cross-institutional cooperation, and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAIE): A flagship IOHE-led forum that brings together universities, government agencies, civil society, and industry partners to co-create strategies, share practices, and advance regional collaboration in international education and sustainable development.
Academics Without Borders (AWB)
The AWB Network is a consortium of Canadian universities that supports capacity-building in higher education in the Global South by enabling faculty to co-develop and participate in projects led by partner institutions. SFU officially became a member of the AWB Network in September 2016.
BC Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC)
SFU is a member of the BCCIC, a provincial network that advances sustainable development and social justice by connecting post-secondary institutions, civil society organizations, and global development practitioners. BCCIC plays a key role in promoting and coordinating the implementation of the UN SDGs in B.C. and beyond through public engagement, capacity-building, policy dialogue, research, and youth leadership.
Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)
SFU is a longstanding member of CBIE, a national organization that advances international education across Canada, spanning K–12, vocational training, and post-secondary sectors. CBIE strengthens Canada’s global engagement by mobilizing partnerships, sharing knowledge, and building professional capacity that supports institutions in developing impactful internationalization strategies. Through CBIE, SFU contributes to national dialogue, policy consultation, and sector-wide collaboration in international education. Initiatives include:
Scholarships and Funding Programs: CBIE administers federal and international scholarship and mobility programs, providing opportunities for SFU students and researchers to participate in global learning and exchange initiatives. (i.e., Emerging Leaders for the Americas Program, Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program, etc.)
CBIE Annual Conference: A national gathering that convenes universities, government agencies, NGOs, and industry partners to share best practices, build networks, and advance collective approaches to international education and sustainable development.
Professional Learning Communities: Thematic working groups that facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, leadership development, and capacity-building, including SFU’s participation in committees shaping professional standards and sector priorities.
Educational Partnership Events: Networking and diplomatic engagement activities that connect institutions with international partners, support strategic collaboration, and strengthen Canada’s role in global education.
World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
SFU is a longstanding member of the WUSC network and participates in the Student Refugee Program (SRP), which provides post-secondary pathways for students whose education has been disrupted by conflict or displacement. Since 1981, SFU has sponsored refugee students through the SRP, enabling them to pursue undergraduate studies and transition into stable careers. The program is delivered collaboratively at SFU: SFU International Services for Students (ISS) provides advising and settlement support, while the SFSS WUSC Local Committee leads volunteer and peer-support activities that foster community and belonging.
BC Council for International Education (BCCIE)
SFU is a member of BCCIE, a provincial organization that strengthens international education across British Columbia through partnership development, sector coordination, and professional capacity-building. BCCIE connects post-secondary institutions, government agencies, school districts, and global partners to support collaborative program development, student mobility, and international engagement. Through this network, SFU contributes to shared learning, policy dialogue, and relationship-building that advance equitable and sustainable internationalization aligned with SDG 17.
Cascadia Innovation Corridor
The Cascadia Innovation Corridor is a cross-border, cross-sector initiative linking British Columbia, Washington State and Oregon, with universities, government agencies and industry working together on shared sustainability, innovation and data-driven solutions. Through its participation in this regional ecosystem, SFU is connected into a larger network of collaboration, helping to advance SDG 17 by strengthening long-term, multi-stakeholder partnerships, building institutional capacity and enabling joint action beyond national boundaries.
Consular Corps Partnerships
SFU maintains strong and active relationships with members of the local consular corps, collaborating on initiatives that connect the university with international governments, industry partners, and research institutions. By convening multi-sector and cross-border partners to co-develop research, innovation, and commercialization pathways, these engagements demonstrate SFU’s leadership in advancing SDG 17.
Swiss Innovation Fest 2024: A Swiss public diplomacy initiative coordinated by the Embassy of Switzerland in Canada and the Consulate General of Switzerland, bringing together science, industry, academia, and community stakeholders from Switzerland and Canada. The 2024 Vancouver edition, hosted in partnership with SFU, focused on clean technology and sustainability, strengthening bilateral innovation networks.
Dutch Innovation Delegation 2023: Coordinated through the Dutch Consulate-General in Vancouver, this visit facilitated cross-border collaboration by connecting SFU researchers and innovation teams with Dutch government agencies, research institutes, ports, and clean energy companies to explore shared priorities in hydrogen and cleantech development.
SFU Partners with Wageningen University to Drive Agritech Innovation
Simon Fraser University has partnered with Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the world’s top agritech university, to advance research and innovation in agriculture and food security. The two universities signed a Letter of Intent during an event hosted by the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI) in Surrey. This partnership aims to address global challenges like food security and climate change through joint research, knowledge sharing, and student exchanges. Supported by funding from PacifiCan and the Province of British Columbia, BCCAI seeks to position B.C. as a leader in agritech, creating jobs and advancing agriculture technology solutions.
Clean Hydrogen Hub
The new Clean Hydrogen Hub at SFU will bring together universities, industry partners, and government agencies to accelerate hydrogen technology deployment, workforce training, and energy transition strategies in British Columbia. The Hub acts as a regional innovation ecosystem, supporting shared research infrastructure and applied training. This cross-sector collaboration advances SDG 17 and contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Learn more
AKU-Arusha Climate Environment Research (AKU-ACER) Centre
SFU is a priority partner for the Arusha Climate Environment Research Centre site in Arusha, Tanzania, where the two institutions develop climate-related research projects and facilitate the two-way flow of students and faculty. The goal is to develop climate justice demonstration projects that are rooted in community-engaged innovation.
Global Institute for Agritech (GIA)
In 2024, SFU launched GIA, a multi-faculty, globally-oriented research institute that aims to drive agritech innovation and tackle major global challenges such as climate resilience and food security. The institute is intentionally designed to collaborate broadly: it brings together diverse partners from industry leaders, government agencies, universities both in Canada and abroad, establishing a global research ecosystem that spans continents and sectors.
Pacific Water Research Centre (PWRC)
The PWRC mobilizes cross-disciplinary exploration at the interface of water science, social values and public policy. The centre provides a forum for advancing evidence-based research and concrete societal change at the local, national and global scale.
Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (INN)
SFU’s INN, led by Dr. Randy McIntosh, is the global coordinating hub for The Virtual Brain (TVB), an international open-science platform for large-scale brain simulation. The network includes partners such as Baycrest, University of Toronto, McGill University, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and clinical research institutes across Europe and Latin America. The partnership focuses on building shared data infrastructure, harmonizing neuroimaging and clinical workflows, and co-developing analysis pipelines that can be used across health authorities, hospitals, and research labs.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- 4,376 research publications related to SDG 17, 2020-2024 (source: SciVal)
- 21 research projects related to SDG 17, 2020-2024
- At least six researchers involved in research relating to SDG 17 (source: SFU Research Expertise Engine)
SFU–Zhejiang University (ZJU), China, Dual Degree
SFU and Zhejiang University (ZJU) offer a dual degree program that enables students to complete studies in both Canada and China, gaining international academic experience and cross-cultural competencies. Through this dual degree pathway, students complete a BSc in Computing Science at SFU before progressing to Zhejiang University to earn a Master of Finance (Financial Technology) in a five-year integrated program. The partnership combines SFU’s strengths in computing and ZJU’s leadership in fintech innovation, providing students with cross-border academic training and applied global experience.
SFU–Université de Tours, France, Formation Duale
Running since 2018, this dual program integrates SFU’s Professional Development Program (PDP) with graduate-level coursework at the Faculté des Lettres et Langues at l’Université de Tours, enabling students to develop advanced expertise in teaching French as a foreign language. Participants study in both Canada and France, gaining intercultural pedagogical experience, and upon completion of SFU’s PDP may be eligible for a BC Teaching Certificate. This collaboration advances SDG 17 by supporting joint curriculum development, student mobility, and sustained academic cooperation between the two institutions.
Americas MBA for Executives, SFU Beedie School of Business
This is an optional stream within SFU Beedie’s EMBA that focuses on business leadership and economic collaboration across the Americas (Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil). Delivered in partnership with FIA Business School (Brazil), ITAM (Mexico), and Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management (USA), the program brings executive learners together through shared courses, international residencies, and collaborative applied projects. The program fostering cross-border professional networks and joint learning, strengthening regional cooperation and multi-institutional partnership.
Migrant Systems Change Leadership (MSCL) Program
MSCL is the first certificate of its kind offered by the Refugee Livelihood Lab. The program is designed for people who have lived a refugee or immigrant experience. Through a collaborative process taking place over eight months in an online setting, students gain an understanding of foundational concepts related to equity, racial justice, Indigenous rights and decolonization.
Semester in Dialogue
Semester in Dialogue is a one-semester, full-time program at SFU that cultivates civic responsibility and leadership by bringing students together to collaborate on pressing social issues. Each semester offers an interdisciplinary, community-engaged learning experience, where students work directly with local partners, public institutions, and organizations to design and implement real-world projects. By fostering collaboration across sectors and building student capacity for dialogue and collective action, the program advances SDG 17 through strengthened community partnerships and shared problem-solving.
SFU Expands Global Partnerships with New Environmental Research Centre in Africa
Simon Fraser University and Aga Khan University (AKU) have launched the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre in Tanzania to support climate innovation and student exchanges. This partnership, formalized through a new Memorandum of Understanding, strengthens SFU's global ties and commitment to sustainability. SFU also introduced a Climate Change and Community Resilience Field School, offering students hands-on experience in addressing climate challenges in a unique ecological setting.
EDUCATION ON THE SDGs
SFU has a commitment to meaningful education around the SDGs across the university that is relevant and applicable to all students. Integrated into full curriculums, SFU offers 563 courses across nine faculties that address sustainability and the SDGs, some of which are required to graduate from particular programs. For example, SFU is home to the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering program which involves the development of solutions for the harvesting, storage, transmission and use of energy, with careful consideration of economic, environmental, societal and cultural implications.
SFU regularly updates its inventory of sustainability-related courses and incorporates new programming to include SDG-related course content. If you would like to have your course added to the list, please contact us.
SFU is committed to preparing students and professionals to engage in an interconnected world. Through partnerships with universities, industry, governments, and community organizations across more than 70 countries, SFU offers a wide range of international learning, research, and professional development opportunities. These experiences provide meaningful intercultural learning, global collaboration, and community-engaged problem-solving, while advancing SDG 17 by strengthening long-term, equitable relationships across borders.
Student Exchange Program
SFU’s Exchange Program offers students the opportunity to study abroad for a semester at one of over 130 partner institutions worldwide while paying their regular SFU tuition. Participating students gain deep intercultural immersion, expand their global networks, and develop skills valued by employers, such as adaptability, creative problem-solving, and intercultural communication.
Merrill Family Global Campus Experience
The Merrill Family Global Campus Experience offers SFU students a 3–5 week faculty-led group study program in Business, with immersive learning abroad offered in collaboration with global partners. Supported by a generous gift from SFU alumnus Allan Merrill and family, each student receives a $2,000 travel subsidy to help ensure equitable access to international learning.
Co-op Abroad Program
Co-op Abroad provides SFU students with the opportunity to gain international work experience by completing co-op terms with employers around the world. Through partnerships with global organizations, universities, and industry, the program strengthens cross-cultural learning and international collaboration.
International Field Schools
SFU’s Field Schools offer students 3-to-13-unit, usually summer-term, immersive learning experiences abroad that combine classroom instruction with field studies and local industry or community engagement. Participants join small cohorts to connect with SFU faculty, global peers, and international professionals, building networks across borders.
Student Capstone Projects with Global Partners
Several Mechatronic Systems Engineering (MSE) Capstone Projects are developed in collaboration with international partners, enabling students to design engineering solutions that respond to community-identified needs in global contexts. Examples include co-developing sustainable hydroponic systems with community partners in Tanzania, designing assistive technologies for clinical use in under-resourced regions, and creating environmental monitoring systems for international research field sites. Through this co-created, applied engineering work across borders, the program advances SDG 17 by building collaborative problem-solving and global knowledge exchange.
International Research Mobility
SFU supports students in conducting research abroad through international research placements and faculty-led collaborations, enabling hands-on learning within global communities, universities, and research labs. Student mobility is supported through funding programs such as Mitacs Globalink and Erasmus+, while researcher collaboration and joint project development are strengthened through initiatives such as the France–Canada Research Fund (FCRF), and the internal Horizon Europe Engagement Fund. Together, these opportunities expand global networks and research capacity, advancing SDG 17 by fostering cross-border collaboration, shared knowledge, and academic partnerships.
LINC Asia: Leading Innovation and Capacity in Asia Program
LINC Program at SFU's Beedie School of Business equips professionals with the strategic insight, cross-cultural competence, and regional networks needed to engage and lead in Asian markets. By enabling participants from diverse sectors to build knowledge, partnerships and trust across Asian innovation ecosystems, this initiative supports SDG 17 by strengthening international cooperation and capacity-building opportunities.
SFU is one of the first Canadian Universities to sign the UN Principles of Responsible Investment
SFU is among more than a dozen Canadian universities to sign a charter furthering their commitment to addressing global climate change.
Under the charter, the universities pledge to adopt responsible investment guidelines that follow recognized standards, such as the UN-supported Principles of Responsible Investment.
SFU is part of the International Sustainable Campus Network
SFU is a member of the International Sustainable Campus Network, a global network of nearly 100 higher education institutions in 30 countries. Network institutions work collaboratively to increase sustainability best practices in their campus operations, research and teaching.