Ottawa, January 20, 2022 – As part of its ongoing commitment to promote the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Colleges and institutes Canada (CICan) is encouraging all its members to sign the SDG Accord. It is committing itself to recruiting a total of 45 signatories in time for Earth Day, April 22, while continuing its work to promote sustainable development across the college sector.
The SDG accord brings together post-secondary institutions and stakeholder groups from around the world that pledge to embed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their education, research, leadership, operations, administration and engagement activities.
CICan signed the accord in September 2020 and has since been joined by 15 member institutions from across the country: Cégep du Vieux Montréal, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Cégep Edouard Montpetit, Confederation College, Dawson College, Georgian College, Humber College, Lethbridge College, Nova Scotia Community College, Olds College, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Selkirk College, Seneca College and Sheridan College.
“At CICan, we are driven by a simple vision that defines everything we do: to achieve better futures for peoples and communities,” says CICan president and CEO, Denise Amyot. “That is why we are committed to the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a valuable roadmap for the world as we navigate unprecedented global challenges. We sincerely believe that Canadian colleges and Institutes are in an ideal position to mobilize and train Canadians with the skills needed to build a sustainable future. That is why we are so incredibly proud that many of them have joined us in signing the SDG accord and why we encourage those who haven’t signed yet to do so today!”
To encourage more members to sign the accord, CICan has launched a brand-new video, including testimonies from member signatories across Canada, as well as students and graduates who share why the SDGs matter.
CICan has also created two new national planning committees to help members reduce their environmental footprint as part of its ImpAct Climate initiative, with the objective of achieving net-zero campuses by 2050. The first committee will look at campus green buildings and Indigenous land management approaches. The second will focus on awareness raising for a net-zero campus. These committees will hold their first meetings at the end of the month.
This is in addition to CICan’s ongoing work on environmental sustainability; equity, diversity and inclusions; reducing barriers to education; and social entrepreneurship; all inspired by the SDGs. In particular SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), as well as SDG 4 (Quality Education).
Learn more about CICan’s commitment to the SDGs and the SDG Accord.
About 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.
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For more information:
Julien Abord-Babin
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Colleges and Institutes Canada
Email: jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca
Phone: 613-746-2222 ext. 3131
Twitter: @CollegeCan