In the lead-up to the Rio+20 Conference in 2012, a groundbreaking collaboration emerged – the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI). This initiative united the power of the United Nations with the expertise of the higher education community. Today, HESI is spearheaded by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Sulitest Association, a non-profit championing global sustainability literacy.
HESI boasts a prestigious roster of partners, including UNESCO, UNEP, UN Global Compact's PRME initiative, UNU, UN-Habitat, UNCTAD, UNITAR, the UN Office for Partnerships, and UN Academic Impact. This robust network allows HESI to bridge the gap between academia, scientific research, and policy-making.
HESI's mission is clear: to elevate the crucial role of higher education in achieving sustainable development. They accomplish this by fostering multi-stakeholder dialogues, promoting collaborative action, and disseminating best practices in sustainability across the globe. In 2022, Ajman University proudly joined this global movement, further solidifying the collective effort to integrate sustainability principles into educational curriculums and practices. Through HESI's leadership, we are building a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
To view the affiliation of Ajman University with HESI, click here.