Ottawa, July 25, 2023 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is proud to have been recognized in Canada’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2023.
The VNR highlights CICan’s significant contribution to advancing Canada’s national and international commitments to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Annex A under the heading “Academia and youth are taking ownership of the SDGs.” Central to these contributions is CICan’s ImpAct approach, which harnesses the positive effects of collective action by giving colleges, institutes, staff, students, and partners across the country a framework to amplify their contributions to economic and social development, community well-being, and a sustainable future.
“We are deeply honoured to see the efforts of Canada’s colleges and institutes recognized in Canada’s Voluntary National Review,” says Denise Amyot, President and CEO, CICan. “Whether it’s increasing representation and inclusion of diverse groups within workplaces or mobilizing skills and developing solutions to reduce environmental impacts, we continue to take bold, urgent and collective steps to foster an inclusive and sustainable future.”
The HLPF took place from July 10 to July 19, 2023, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, focused on discussing the effective and inclusive recovery measures to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore actionable policy guidance for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at all levels.
CICan was honoured to participate in the Canadian delegation for HLPF 2023, further underscoring its commitment to advancing Canada’s progress toward achieving the SDGs. The organization remains steadfast in leveraging the collective strengths of its members to address global challenges and foster better futures for people, communities, and the planet.
To learn more about CICan and its impact on Canada’s post-secondary system and sustainable development efforts, please visit the official VNR report available at: https://hlpf.un.org/countries/canada/voluntary-national-reviews-2023
About Colleges and Institutes Canada:
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the national and international voice of Canada’s largest post-secondary education network. It advocates, builds capacity, and drives knowledge to strengthen Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics. With more than 95% of Canadians living within 50 km of a member institution, and thanks to its extensive reach around the globe, CICan works to future-proof communities in Canada and abroad.
We respectfully acknowledge that CICan’s offices in Ottawa are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation. v