- 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
- 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 United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires cross-sectoral partnerships and interdisciplinary knowledge. SFU strives to convene collaborations and dialogue across these dimensions, both locally and internationally. We engage our global, national and local community to create mutuality, justice and equity in our partnerships with government, private sector, non-governmental and community-based organizations, civil society and academia.
SFU International is the university's hub of international relationships, knowledge and resources to mobilize the global reach of SFU’s teaching, research and community engagement. SFU International facilitates global connections through partnerships and collaboration with global networks and higher education institutions around the world. It also mobilizes SFU’s research and expertise to support global development and sustainability initiatives with the global south—in Africa, Asia and Latin America. SFU International has developed an SDG Framework to guide international collaborations.
SFU’s memberships in global networks that mobilize on the SDGs allow us to collaborate globally to advance the 17 goals. Memberships include: Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), University Social Responsibility Network (USRN), Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), and the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE).
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.
Inter-American Organization for Higher Education
Joy Johnson, SFU's president and vice-chancellor, is currently serving her first term as Inter-American Organization for Higher Education’s (IOHE) regional vice-president for Canada. In her role, she facilitated the first call for “collaborative university research projects on the implementation of the UN sustainable development goals”, which received high demand and interest with 234 proposals submitted by 83 Institutions in 15 countries in the Americas.
SFU regularly collaborates with non-governmental and community-based organizations to amplify local, regional, and global impact. These partnerships enable students, researchers and faculty to tackle the SDGs in ways that authentically respond to community needs. Some current initiatives include:
- I want to volunteer! (for students)
- Sustainable Development Program (for students)
- Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program (for students)
- Community Engaged Research initiative (for researchers and faculty)
- International Water Decade Alliance
SFU food leaders share sustainability strides at UN Food Systems Summit
Simon Fraser University representatives attended the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome, showcasing efforts to meet sustainable development goals through local food sourcing, food waste reduction, and Indigenous food sovereignty. Led by Tammara Soma, and Chef Steph Baryluk, SFU highlighted initiatives like the "Rooted" program and reusable solutions. SFU continues to drive food-system transformation locally and globally.
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.
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.
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS
SFU International facilitates global connections through partnerships and collaboration with global networks and higher education institutions around the world.
INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SFU International mobilizes SFU’s research and expertise to support global development and sustainability initiatives with the global south—in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
SFU WORLD UNIVERSITY SERVICES OF CANADA STUDENT REFUGEE PROGRAM
SFU International Services for Students provides support services for SFU students who identify as refugees or newcomers. SFU also partners with World University Services of Canada to directly sponsor refugee students via the Student Refugee Program.
Aga Khan University - Arusha Climate Environment Research (AKU-ACER)
SFU is a priority partner for the Aga Khan University at the Arusha Climate Environment Research site in Arusha, Tanzania, where the two institutions will develop climate-related research projects and facilitate the two-way flow of students and faculty over the next five years. The goal is to develop climate justice demonstration projects that are rooted in community-engaged innovation.
The Pacific Water Research Centre 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.
The Centre for Sustainable Development is a research unit at SFU that uses the resources and talents of the university to deepen understanding and create solutions to advance sustainable development locally and globally.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- 4,376 research publications related to SDG 17, 2019-2023 (source: SciVal)
- At least five researchers involved in research relating to SDG 17 (source: SFU Research Expertise Engine)
The Migrant Systems Change Leadership (MSCL) program 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.
SFU's Semester in Dialogue is a one-semester, full-time program designed to inspire students with a sense of civic responsibility and encourage their passion for improving society. Each semester the program offers an original, interdisciplinary experience that bridges the classroom with the community and creates space for students to reflect on what they are doing and why it matters.
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 offers 563 courses across nine faculties that address sustainability and the SDGs. We regularly update our inventory of sustainability-related courses. If you would like to have your course added to the list, please contact us.
Through partnerships and relationships with universities, companies and community organizations across the world, SFU provides opportunities for students to engage with the world.
- International Field Schools: SFU launched an inaugural Field School in Arusha, Tanzania, focused on Climate Change and Community Resilience. The goal for the field school in environmental / ecological education is to describe a framework for education that is grounded in an ecology which emphasizes the 'embeddedness' of human societies and cultures within places or communities. Environmental topics are linked to concepts such as ecological and community resilience and climate change. The field school is delivered in partnership with the Aga Khan University and had 13 SFU students participate. Future iterations will include local Tanzanian students.
- International Exchanges
- International Co-op: In the summer of 2023, three Simon Fraser University students had the opportunity to travel to Arusha, Tanzania in East Africa for a learning experience that brought new and global perspective to their studies. Emily Burkholder, Maggie Cross and Lauren Ord study resource and environmental management (REM) at SFU. Burkholder is pursuing a master’s degree in the planning program, while Cross and Ord are completing bachelor’s degrees in planning. The trio travelled to the Aga Khan University of East Africa (AKU) Arusha campus as part of their programs. AKU is an institution of higher education and research that works to improve quality of life in the global south and beyond. The campus is on the nearly 4,000-acre Arusha Climate and Environment Research land (ACER) where environmental research takes place.
Education for Sustainable Development Goals
SFU has almost 200 courses that are linked to sustainability. Some of these courses are required to graduate. SFU is also 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 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.