Istanbul hosted a pivotal gathering of global leaders from higher education, government, NGOs, and the private sector at the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC). At the heart of the conversations was a shared mission: advancing practical solutions to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNESCO’s International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC) took centre stage, showcasing its expanding strategic role in driving sustainable development through education.
The Congress kicked off with a vital session on Data and Evidence at the Global 15by30 Refugee Higher Education Conference, where Francesca Ceserani, Project Coordinator at UNESCO IESALC, highlighted the Institute’s deepening commitment to forced displacement. The session focused on closing critical data gaps to ensure that 15% of refugee youth access higher education by 2030.
“Knowledge, however valuable, is only the starting point. To truly uphold the right to higher education for refugees and forcibly displaced persons, we must move from evidence to action,” Ceserani asserted.
She presented early insights from the soon-to-be-released report Mapping Policies to Guarantee the Right to Higher Education for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela in Latin America and the Caribbean. This groundbreaking study examines national policies, institutional challenges, and successful practices across seven countries. Launched on World Refugee Day (June 20), the report is positioned not just as an analysis but as a catalyst for change.
Building on this momentum, Ceserani announced a strategic alliance between UNESCO IESALC, the UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago, and the UNHCR Regional Bureau for the Americas. This partnership aims to transform research into policy through cross-sector dialogue and regional cooperation, reinforcing the right to higher education for displaced populations.
As a co-chair of the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), alongside the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations University (UNU), and Sulitest, UNESCO IESALC actively contributed to thematic discussions on Greening and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
On the Congress’s opening day, Francesc Pedró, Director of UNESCO IESALC, delivered a keynote at the workshop From Frameworks to Practice: Unlocking the Potential of Sustainability Competencies in Higher Education. He outlined the Institute’s approach built on four pillars:
- Greening teacher training and curriculum
- Greening science, technology, and innovation
- Greening jobs and skills
- Greening higher education institutions
These pillars are aligned with UNESCO’s Greening Education Partnership, which unites over 7,000 partners worldwide.
Pedró emphasised the indispensable role of young people in climate action, noting the influence of the world’s 1.2 billion youth aged 15-24, including 254 million higher education students. “We don’t just listen to youth, we co-create solutions, empower their leadership, and celebrate innovations that inspire practical futures,” he said.
Bosen Lily Liu, Head of Partnership and Agenda-Setting at UNESCO IESALC, further expanded on the Greening Higher Education Framework during a roundtable on green skills frameworks. Liu underscored the unique role of higher education in producing research-driven solutions and nurturing the next generation of talents equipped for a sustainable workforce.
She highlighted the imperative for multistakeholder collaboration: “Facilitating dialogue and cooperation between universities, quality assurance agencies, and the private sector is essential. Embedding sustainability in accreditation and quality measures will help mainstream green initiatives across education, research, and institutional management.”
On the Congress’s final day, UNESCO IESALC joined forces with UNU to spotlight the newly established UN HESI Action Group for the Futures of Higher Education and Artificial Intelligence. Founded in July 2024 at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum, the group is pioneering efforts to integrate AI literacy across sectors.
The presentation included updates on a podcast series exploring AI’s role in higher education and an upcoming global mapping project to identify best practices from all five UNESCO regions.
Four dedicated Implementation Teams focus on key areas: AI in Teaching and Learning; AI in Research and Development; AI in University Management; and Ethics, Safety, and Inclusivity. Progress includes the rollout of webinars and policy briefs, alongside a call for greater participation from institutions worldwide.