Georgian signs United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Accord

Georgian College is officially joining the global movement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by signing the SDG Accord for educational institutions.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership to end poverty, improve health and education, tackle climate change and much more.

Georgian College President and CEO Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes formally signed the SDG Accord this morning.

A smiling blonde female with glasses sitting at a table signing a document. There's a sign with graphics behind her

As an institution committed to social innovation and collaborative systems change, this is a natural and necessary effort for Georgian to be involved in. Georgian is Canada’s first and only Ashoka U Changemaker College, and we know we can contribute meaningfully to advancing the SDG goals, both locally and globally.
– Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes, Georgian College President and CEO

“As an institution committed to social innovation and collaborative systems change, this is a natural and necessary effort for Georgian to be involved in,” says Dr. West-Moynes. “Georgian is Canada’s first and only Ashoka U Changemaker College, and we know we can contribute meaningfully to advancing the SDG goals, both locally and globally.”

Already, hundreds of Georgian students have joined the #ChangeTheNow SDG Changemaker Challenge.

“Students have been exploring ideas to address UN Sustainable Development Goal #10 – Reduced Inequalities,” says Suzie Addison-Toor, Georgian’s Director of Student Success and Social Innovation. “And this fall, in a unique international experience, Georgian launched a collaboration to tackle this goal with international university partners – connecting our students and faculty with their peers from Spain’s University of Almeria, VIA University College in Denmark and the University of Western Caspian in Azerbaijan.”

Georgian is also partnering with work-integrated learning employers to begin incorporating the SDGs into hands-on work experience.

The ultimate vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

“We recognize it’s a very ambitious vision,” says Dr. West-Moynes, “and Georgian has already begun the journey to contribute our part. Ultimately we will ensure everything we do is aligned with the SDGs – academics, research, community partnerships, digital innovation and of course, changemaking. As educators, we have a responsibility to create an environment where students, faculty and staff can work together in striving to attain these critical United Nations Sustainable Development goals.”

In signing the SDG Accord, Georgian also commits to annually report on progress, and to share learning both nationally and internationally.

A blonde female sitting at a table signing a document. There is another female standing behind her to the left and a young male standing behind her to the right. There is a sign with graphics in the background. — Georgian College President and CEO Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes signs the Sustainable Development Goals Accord, committing the college to work to advance the 17 United Nations goals. Joining her are Neh Thakker, a Computer Programming and Analysis student who has been working with his peers to address racial inequalities, and Suzie Addison-Toor, Director of Student Success and Social Innovation.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

Accord

The SDG Accord is a commitment learning institutions are making to do more to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, annually report on progress, and share learning with each other both nationally and internationally.

Georgian’s Centre for Changemaking and Social Innovation

Georgian’s Centre for Changemaking and Social Innovation is a one-stop shop for support, education and inspiration to help students, faculty, staff and partners create positive social impact in their community.

A changemaker is one who desires change in the world and seeks out the knowledge and resources to make that change happen. Georgian is the first and only college in Canada designated a changemaker college by Ashoka U for its role as a leader in social innovation and changemaking in higher education.

#ChangeTheNow SDG Changemaker Challenge

As an initial element of Georgian’s UN Sustainable Development Goals commitment, hundreds of students have been exploring ideas to address the SDG Goal #10 – Reduced Inequalities. In the latest project currently underway, Georgian has partnered our students and faculty with colleagues from institutions around the world to tackle this goal.

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