York University UNSDG Report 2023 by york-university

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report YORK UNIVERSITY 2023

Introduction

In June 2020, York University launched a University Academic Plan 2020-2025 (UAP), which included an institutional challenge to strengthen York’s contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The UAP serves as a blueprint for York University as an agent of positive change in a world facing a convergence of unprecedented crises from pandemics, to climate change, poverty, systemic inequality, and political polarization.

We are pleased to present York University’s third annual report demonstrating our deep commitment to sustainability and the well-being of the communities we serve. In 2022, York was the first Canadian university to launch a wholly autonomous Indigenous Research Ethics Board. Community members also partnered with municipalities to create Climate Solutions Parks and the University launched its Social Procurement Vendor Portal – an important initiative to ensure the university can identify and contract with diverse-owned businesses. With the return to campus life well underway, plans progressed for York to host the first in-person Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in May 2023, bringing 10,300+ global scholars to our University. The event was hosted under the theme “Reckonings & Re-Imaginings” and challenged attendees to envision a better world that embraces social justice and sustainability. The University also continued to expand its leadership on water sustainability, launching the One Water organized research unit, a central hub for water- related expertise and interdisciplinary research in the fall of 2022. In addition, a team at the Lassonde School of Engineering advanced work on a new tool to detect microplastics in water, and civil engineering professors created iWater – a collaborative to examine water management. This year’s report highlights the University’s progress throughout 2022, selecting some meaningful stories and metrics that demonstrate how Canada’s 3rd largest and fastest rising university is advancing the 17 SDGs and tackling the biggest challenges of our time.

place in the world “York’s as a global sustainability leader is evident in the growing impact that our students, staff, faculty and course directors are having through a shared commitment to inclusive excellence, strong local and global partnerships, Rhonda Lenton, President pedagogical innovation and Vice-Chancellor inside and outside of the classroom; and the intensification of our research and creative activities, expanded entrepreneurship activities, knowledge mobilization and innovation. The difference we are making advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demonstrates how individual and collective efforts can change the world.

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About the Report: This 2023 SDG report focuses mostly on activities and metrics relevant to 2021-2022 and 2022. The source for the UN SDG descriptions is The Global Goals site. All content for this year’s report is available on yorku.ca/unsdgs. All bibliometric indicators are based on publication data from SciVal/Elsevier for the 2019-2022 timeframe. Elsevier SDG mapping methodology details can be viewed at: https://elsevier.digitalcommonsdata.com/datasets/9sxdykm8s4. For metrics on academic programs related or relevant to specific SDGs, they cover any Undergraduate Degree, Undergraduate Certificate, Graduate Degree and Graduate Diploma Programs that offer content related or relevant to tackling SDGs within and or outside the classroom. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

Facts and Figures

40th

Top 2%

globally out of

1,591

of universities worldwide for

2 years in a row

universities

9th

in Canada

7 in Canada th

21st globally

4th in Canada 46th globally

in Canada

25th globally

7th in Canada 54th globally

4 in Canada th

12th globally

11th in Canada 67th globally

$4.4B

contributions to Ontario economy

44,877

scholarships awarded for a total of $106,453,436 for undergraduate and graduate students (2021-2022)

York degree and non-degree programs offered on

4 continents

(North America, South America, Asia and Africa)

11 consecutive years as one of Canada’s top 100 greenest employers

2040

Before net zero carbon emissions

300+

global partnerships in 60+ countries

One EcoCampus 400+

that sits on acres of land in Costa Rica (including many conservation areas)

16,000+

students who are first in their family to attend university

End poverty in all its forms everywhere. SDG 1: No Poverty Eradicating poverty is not a task of charity. It is an act of justice and the key to unlocking enormous human potential. Still, nearly half of the world’s population lives in poverty, and lack of food and clean water is killing thousands every single day of the year. Together, we can feed the hungry, wipe out disease and give everyone in the world a chance to prosper and live a productive and rich life.

Osgoode Hall Law School on York University’s Keele Campus.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

OSGOODE HALL LAW SCHOOL LEGAL CLINICS SUPPORT COMMUNITIES

IMPROVING BLACK FUTURES BY MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

Students at Osgoode Hall Law School make legal assistance available to lower-income Toronto-area residents through their practicums at Parkdale Community Legal Services and the Community Legal Aid Services Program (CLASP). Both clinics are funded by Legal Aid Ontario and serve local communities by addressing issues related to immigration, housing and violence. With oversight from supervising lawyers, students take up cases, meet with clients, research and prepare submissions, and appear in court. At Parkdale, students also become involved in social justice advocacy as a way to promote systemic change. Learn more about how these law students assist their local communities and gain valuable experience.

Professor Carl E. James, York’s senior advisor on equity and representation, is leading a three-year RBC grant to eradicate systemic barriers to education for Black students at five Canadian universities. The program is led by Black faculty and staff at all five institutions and is tailored to the needs of their student populations. “At York, we know that up to 50 per cent of Black students never graduate,” says James. “Why? What can we do differently to achieve change? Let’s document what works and what doesn’t.” James has joined forces with assistant professor Jude Kong in the department of mathematics and statistics to offer mentorship opportunities by creating small “families” of Black students in science and engineering to offer mutual encouragement and support. Learn more about how this grant is working to ensure academic success for Black students.

YORK-TD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTRE PROMOTES SOCIAL INCLUSION To creatively address sustainability in the Jane Finch community, the The York University-TD Community Engagement Centre has issued a call for proposals for projects that is open to any organization, non-profit, organized resident group, or resident who lives in or supports the Black Creek community and is partnered with a faculty member, staff member or student group from York. Catalyst Grants support these proposals and are designed to promote social inclusion in a low-income area of Toronto. Learn more about this and how the CEC was awarded more than $100,000 in partnership grants to help communities.

60+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 1

Host of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and the Homelessness Hub led by York Faculty

publications relevant to SDG 1

(2020-2022)

HOMELESS HUB TRAINS THOSE SERVING THE UNHOUSED In 2020, the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness based at York University launched a Homelessness Learning Hub (HLHub) – an online training resource for those working in the homeless-serving sector. Originally the site served individuals whose organizations didn’t necessarily have funding for professional development. HLHub’s popularity grew, prompting the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness to upgrade the platform and include self-care resources for people in jobs with higher rates of burnout. Within a year, membership grew from 1,000 to 9,000, and this trajectory continued as the site offered valuable training to those caring for clients with fewer social protections. Learn more about the HLHub and the programs it provides.

39%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

16,000+ A community meeting at the York-TD Community Engagement Centre.

students are first in their family to attend university

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

THE VISUALIZING FOODWAYS FIELD SCHOOL End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. SDG 2: Zero Hunger Hunger is the leading cause of death in the world. Our planet has provided us with tremendous resources, but unequal access and inefficient handling leaves millions of people malnourished. If we promote sustainable agriculture with modern technologies and fair distribution systems, we can sustain the whole world’s population and make sure that nobody will ever suffer from hunger again.

In February 2023, ten graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from across the Americas were invited to participate in the Visualizing Foodways Field School in Mexico City. This project grew out of a seven-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council partnership grant entitled Hemispheric Encounters, which was awarded to Laura Levin, associate professor in the School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD). This was a week-long exploration of ways that artists can partner with activists to further promote food justice and sustainable food systems. Students, professors and other artists participated in site visits, meals, workshops, lectures, performances and talks exploring how the arts can help achieve

Brazilian students Nane Vieitas and Thais Chilinque and Hemispheric Encounters postdoctoral fellow Juma Pariri of the Indigenous women’s collective Mujeres de la Tierra participate in a workshop led by the community kitchen project as part of the Visualizing Foodways Field School.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

food security, sovereignty and justice. Learn more about the field school’s activities.

DOCUMENTING FOOD INSECURITY IN NORTHERN GHANA Balisiku Osman, a student in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) at York University, spent six months doing fieldwork in northeastern Ghana. There, they aimed to understand food insecurity in the north, where the phenomenon is two to four times more prevalent than in the southernmost regions. Osman discovered that the population was dominated by farmers with small, subsistence holdings whose crops only fed them for eight months of the year. Weather patterns, strained access to farming equipment, and warehouse storage compounded food security problems. As a result of this work, Osman urged policymakers in Ghana to pursue a balanced investment strategy to ensure agricultural productivity and sustainable food production to support adequate nutrition. Learn more about this important research.

YU EATS ADDRESSES FOOD INSECURITY To help combat hunger and food insecurity, the University asked its food services contractor to create value meals that make nutritious food more affordable. The University rolled these meals out in campus dining halls in the spring of 2023. “We have a different meal daily and it’s a nutritionally complete meal with grain, protein and vegetable components,” said Meagan Heath, Director of Food and Vending Services at York. For the 2023-2024 academic year, all vending machines on campus were also set to offer snacks at a price that keeps student budgets in mind. Learn more about York’s efforts to alleviate food insecurity.

30+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 2

Home to the Centre for Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

publications relevant to SDG 2

FOOD BANK BOARD MEMBERS CAN IMPACT FOOD INSECURITY Food banks and food diversion schemes led by corporate sector board members may create barriers to overcoming household food insecurity. In studying four major civil society organizations concerned with food insecurity that had corporate-heavy boards, researchers from York University and Birmingham University found that their communications never mentioned a need to address the structural sources of food insecurity. Structural forces can include income inequality brought on by low wages, low rates of unionization and a deficient social safety net. Learn more about the researchers’ findings.

(2020-2022)

52%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

York University students ordering food on campus. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY GLOBAL HEALTH SIMULATION Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being Over the last 15 years, the number of childhood deaths has been cut in half. This proves that it is possible to win the fight against almost every disease. Still, we are spending an astonishing amount of money and resources on treating illnesses that are surprisingly easy to prevent. This goal promotes healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and modern, efficient healthcare for everyone.

Students from York University’s Faculty of Health took part in an innovative simulation event that plunged them into the heart of the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly. This experiential education simulation was created by Dr. Firas Ahmed Khalid, a physician and assistant professor of global health, to give students an opportunity to participate in creating collaborative governance approaches to multi-sectoral and multi-jurisdictional global challenges. Learn more about how expert mentors and student teams worked on health resolutions presented to the entire World Health Assembly.

New learning experiences happening at the School of Global Health.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

DESIGNING SOLUTIONS FOR SENIORS’ HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Shital Desai is using design to make it easier for seniors to age in place. As the principal investigator for York University’s Social and Technological Systems Lab (SaTS) in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD), she starts by examining the systemic challenges faced by seniors before designing technology solutions that keep them well at home. Desai says, “The technology must be able to sense when someone has lost track of an activity and be able to prompt them in the way they understand, whether that is audibly or visually.” Learn more about her approach to community outreach and co-designing solutions with various stakeholders.

YORK UNIVERSITY JOINS ONTARIO HEALTH TEAM York University has joined the Western York Region Ontario Health Team (OHT), demonstrating an ongoing commitment to social justice, health and the expansion of experiential education opportunities. Ontario Health Teams are groups of providers and organizations that, at maturity, will deliver a full and co-ordinated continuum of care to target populations in the province. York is currently collaborating with its partners in a proposal to the Ontario government to establish a family health team that would provide wraparound support to individuals who do not have family doctors in the Ontario Health Teams’ service area. Learn more about York’s work with the OHT.

50+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 3

Interdisciplinary Organized Research Units

STUDENTS HAVE INPUT INTO CREATING A HEALTHIER CAMPUS York participated the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey, in which students across the country offered ideas on how to enhance student well-being and services. The insights gleaned will allow the University to improve physical and mental health support, explore sexual health and substance abuse, and look toward improving the overall student experience. Learn more about how this survey was rolled out at York.

Health Graduates

2085 2255 2267 2501 2525 (2018-2022)

59%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

1,222

publications relevant to SDG 3

376

York University’s Keele Campus and surrounding community.

413

433

(2020-2022)

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. SDG 4: Quality Education Education liberates the intellect, unlocks the imagination and is fundamental for self-respect. It is the key to prosperity and opens a world of opportunities, making it possible for each of us to contribute to a progressive, healthy society. Goal 4 is about ensuring access for all along all educational levels, and ensuring relevant skills for sustainable development and financial success.

YORK UNIVERSITY GAME JAM FOCUSES ON SDGs

PEER MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES CREATED AT CONGRESS 2023

The first York University-organized game jam challenged student participants to create online video games related to one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event was hosted by the Digital Media Program, which is run jointly by the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) and the Lassonde School of Engineering. Approximately 40 participants took this opportunity to hone their skills by working in teams to develop seven SDG-oriented games. Learn more about this inaugural event.

The annual Congress for the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences was last hosted by York University. Outreach to high-school students from the Jane-Finch Community in 2022 created a unique opportunity for educational mentorship through the University and a student poetry competition based on the conference theme in the month’s leading up to the event. Five students from high schools in the JaneFinch area were chosen to participate and were paired up with York undergraduate student mentors who had previously attended high schools in the same area. Students were also invited to attend a lecture by a notable speaker at the Congress and met with them for lunch. Learn how this Congress 2023 activity helped break down barriers between academia and local communities.

Digital media students from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) and computer science students from the Lassonde School of Engineering create a sustainability-based video game.

10 10

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

GLENDON AND THE TORONTO FRENCH SCHOOL JOIN FORCES Through a partnership with the Toronto French School (TFS), York’s Glendon Campus has expanded experiential education placement opportunities for its students. While the Toronto French School was looking for a way to get students off of devices and screens and out into nature, Glendon was seeking opportunities for hands-on learning experiences for students preparing to enter careers in education. This collaboration has led to a full-year professional work placement course that matches 18 Glendon students with Toronto French School faculty members to lead student learning activities outdoors. Learn more about this successful partnership.

30+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 4

27%

of alumni more civically active because they attended York U

UNESCO Chair, the world’s first and longestserving in Education for Sustainable Development (SDG 4.7)

Education Graduates

766

658

923

582 860

(2018-2022)

149

publications relevant to SDG 4

(2020-2022)

CAPSTONE DAY CELEBRATES CREATIVITY IN POSITIVE CHANGE York students have the opportunity to showcase their innovation, creativity, ambition and impact in advancing positive change and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) when they present their capstone projects to the larger community on Capstone Day. Many of the projects are products of the Project Commons, an interdisciplinary lending library of SDG-linked, real-world projects that are available to students in any York classroom. Participating students are connected with project partners who are eager to support student learning in their area. Learn more about how this event, funded by the Business in Higher Education Roundtable, brings projects and mentors together.

SDG-focused Provostial Fellows

Home to

34%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

York University’s Glendon Campus. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

WOMEN IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE SUPPORTED THROUGH K2I ACADEMY Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. SDG 5: Gender Equality Gender bias is undermining our social fabric and devalues all of us. It is not just a human rights issue; it is a tremendous waste of the world’s human potential. By denying women equal rights, we deny half the population a chance to live life at its fullest. Goal 5 is about ensuring political, economic and social equality for women, and eradicating prejudice in all forms.

York University science and engineering students in the lab.

12 12

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

Dean Jane Goodyer is eager to give more women the opportunity to succeed in STEM. The k2i academy works with various school boards in Ontario to connect directly to classrooms, offering innovative work-integrated learning programs to female students and other underrepresented groups. The Bringing STEM to Life: WorkIntegrated Learning program at k2i gives students the opportunity to solve real-world problems through meaningful paid work experiences, while also earning a high-school credit. Learn more about Lassonde’s efforts to support gender equality through STEM.

EMPOWERING AFGHAN REFUGEE WOMEN As part of a wider dialogue series, the Afghan Response Working Group from York University’s School of Health Policy and Management shone a spotlight on women’s empowerment, health and well-being in 2022. The series sought to create a better understanding of the pathways to resilience and capacity building through the shared perspectives of Afghan community members, scholars and service providers. This women’s rights-focused event featured four speakers, including York alumna Farkhunda Muhtaj, captain of the Afghanistan Women’s National Soccer Team, who was instrumental in evacuating the team to Portugal after the Taliban takeover. Freshta Pardis, a social worker who supported an Afghan Women’s Organization as a mental health worker for newcomer refugees, was also a featured speaker. Learn more about these remarkable women and how their experiences have supported empowerment.

MENTORSHIP TO SUPPORT BLACK AND FEMALE STUDENTS Assisting students to overcome systemic barriers as they progress toward their careers is the mission of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies’ (LA&PS) Advancing YU program. The program started in 2022 and matches third- and fourth-year students with mentors who have similar experiences and career ambitions. Learn how the program supports empowerment and helps students access valuable advice and skills development opportunities to support them in their fields.

3,195

54%

undergraduate and

of York community members identify as female

194 masters students identified as women in STEM

231

publications relevant to SDG 5

(2020-2022)

33%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

70+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 5

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN GHANA York University Professor Joseph Mensah is collaborating with Professor Yaa Ntiamoa Baidu from the University of Ghana on research to support women’s health and economic empowerment during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Their work will assess the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on women and examine their participation in informal sectors in Ghana’s economy, such as bushmeat markets. The project will look at the health impacts of bushmeat trading and will provide input into the country’s COVID-19 recovery program, including how to improve bushmeat trading and processing. Learn more about this global research to support gender equality.

ELLA

(Entrepreneurial Leadership & Learning Alliance) is a York University entrepreneurship program created by women for women – in 2020

ELLA’s Impact in 2022

121 jobs created

women supported

$19.4M

$8.7M

in revenue generated

177 funds raised

York University students share ideas. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation One in three people live without sanitation. This is causing unnecessary disease and death. Although huge strides have been made with access to clean drinking water, lack of sanitation is undermining these advances. Goal 6 is about providing affordable equipment, management and education in hygiene practices to stop this senseless suffering and loss of life.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

YORK NAMED ACADEMIC LEAD IN UN’S NEW GLOBAL WATER ACADEMY

DEVELOPING A NEW TOOL TO DETECT MICROPLASTICS IN WATER

York University’s growing area of strength in water research was recognized as the University became the academic lead on the United Nation’s (UN) new Water Academy. The academy brings together public and private sector partners from around the world to establish an innovative water training and education resource. “By working together with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), York University demonstrates the important role of higher education in addressing societal issues and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through scholarship and activism,” said Rhonda Lenton, York’s President and Vice-Chancellor. Learn more about the academy.

A group of researchers in Pouya Rezai’s lab at York University have designed and prototyped an affordable and simple microfluidic device for the on-site detection of microplastics. Micro- and nanoplastics pollutants result from the breakdown of large plastics in commercial product development and are harmful to both humans and the environment. Often present in water sources, they can be undetectable to the human eye, and lab testing can be time-consuming and expensive. In future, a sensor fabricated with a 3-D printer will have the ability to be integrated into a handheld device, enabling the affordable, on-site detection of microplastics in aquatic environments. Learn about how testing is underway with microplastics of various shapes and sizes.

PROFESSORS SEE THE BIG PICTURE IN WATER MANAGEMENT Civil engineering professors with expertise on water issues from the Lassonde School of Engineering came together to create iWater – a collaborative aimed at examining the various aspects of water management. “There are so many ways to think about water, beyond drinking water or surface water,” said Magdalena Krol, an associate professor of civil engineering who co-founded iWater with Ahmed Eldyasti, also an associate professor of civil engineering. “We decided to bring all those interests together. It provided us with opportunities to share ideas, collaborate, work on grant writing and share students. It also gave our students an opportunity to see who else is working on various water issues.” Learn more about iWater and the research members are driving.

water refill stations and 200 water fountains on campus

30+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 6

Interdisciplinary Organized Research Unit:

One WATER

MAKING WATER SAFER FOR REFUGEES York University researchers, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières, have updated the Safe Water Optimization Tool (SWOT) to create one of the first online tools to use artificial intelligence to ensure water safety in humanitarian settings. As climate-linked disasters such as flooding increase, so can waterborne illnesses, especially in refugee camps where basic water infrastructure may be in place. Learn about how water and sanitation workers at refugee camps can use SWOT to make site-specific decisions about long-term quality and safety.

148

publications relevant to SDG 6

(2020-2022)

42%

Professor Usman Khan stands with Magdalena Krol and Ahmed E. Eldyasti, iWater co-founders.

of publications co-authored with international institutions

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

TURNING SUNLIGHT INTO FUEL

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy Renewable energy solutions are becoming cheaper, more reliable and more efficient every day. Our current reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and harmful to the planet, which is why we have to change the way we produce and consume energy. Goal 7 is about implementing these new energy solutions as fast as possible to counter climate change, one of the biggest threats to our own survival.

As global interest in clean, renewable energy sources intensifies, York engineering professor Thomas Cooper is partnering with Synhelion on a solar solution. The solar energy is used to produce sustainable solar fuel that is compatible with existing global fuel infrastructure. Cooper is developing, improving and testing durable materials for Synhelion’s solar receiver, and is researching and developing aerogels – porous materials that can be used as thermal insulators for heat retention. “The heart of our lab is solar-thermal,” says Cooper. “We want to convert sunlight into something beneficial by using a thermal pathway.” Learn about how this project is supporting clean energy.

Students from York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering in the lab.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

SCHULICH ON BOARD FOR MISSION FROM MARS York University students from the Schulich School of Business served as Fellows for the Mission from MaRS: Climate Impact Challenge. The initiative was launched by MaRS in the spring of 2021 to help 10 of Canada’s most promising climate ventures accelerate deployment of their commercial solutions and overcome barriers to creating clean tech solutions, such as low carbon technology. The MaRS Discovery District is North America’s largest urban innovation hub. In exchange for course credit, the students attended monthly roundtables and workshops, conducted research and drafted strategy documents that captured the work being done by a coalition of industry advisors. Learn more about how York is promoting clean energy here.

YORK TESTS ELECTRIC VEHICLE TO SUPPORT CAMPUS OPERATIONS Meet SARIT, or Safe Affordable Reliable Innovative Transit. The three-wheeled, micro-mobility electric vehicle offers a solution to reduce greenhouse gases, ease traffic congestion and solve parking problems. SARIT, with its 100-kilometre range, was created by a project team at York’s Lassonde School of Engineering in collaboration with manufacturer Frank Stronach, a former University governor. During development, York staff have demonstrated its use on campus for food delivery, recycling, parking enforcement and ridesharing. The Stronach Group plans to begin producing the vehicle in 2023 as electricity infrastructure grows to meet the demand for vehicles that use renewable energy sources. Learn more about SARIT.

20+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 7

239

publications relevant to SDG 7

(2020-2022)

51%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

YORK PROFESSOR BECOMES FELLOW AT CHEMICAL INSTITUTE OF CANADA Professor Thomas Baumgartner, a Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Organomain Group Materials, was selected as a 2023 Fellow at the Chemical Institute of Canada in recognition of his outstanding contributions to chemistry. His research focuses on the design of novel materials that can be used to lower humanity’s carbon footprint and provide knowledge that is crucial in the development of essential next-generation technologies for a sustainable future. His work addresses the efficient and sustainable use, conversion and storage of energy via advanced synthesis in a bottom-up approach. Learn about how Baumgartner’s research can contribute to the low-carbon economy of the future.

Canada Research Chairs engaged in sustainable energy solutions research

Frank Stronach stands with SARIT vechicles on York’s Keele Campus. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

NEW YSPACE LOCATION SUPPORTS GROWTH IN NORTHERN YORK REGION Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Economic growth should be a positive force for the whole planet. This is why we must make sure that financial progress creates decent and fulfilling jobs while not harming the environment. Goal 8 is about protecting labour rights and putting a stop to modern slavery and child labour once and for all, promoting job creation with expanded access to banking and financial services, and to ensure all have access to the benefits of entrepreneurship and innovation.

In an ongoing effort to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, York University has opened a new branch of YSpace to support local startups and existing businesses during their post- pandemic recovery. “By leveraging the success of YSpace’s programs and making customized resources available, York University is facilitating entrepreneurship and business acceleration in northern York Region,” says York University’s Vice-President of Research and Innovation Amir Asif. YSpace offers both in-person and virtual learning opportunities to allow for collaboration among business owners and the creation of mentorship connections. Learn about

Leadership from the Towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury and York University in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of YSpace in York Region.

18 18

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

how YSpace is supporting economic growth in northern York Region.

MICRO-CREDENTIALS FOR NON-PROFIT AND SOCIAL INNOVATION SECTORS A new micro-credentials training program from York University has been created for those working or aspiring to work in the non-profit and social innovation sectors. A Masters Certificate in Digital Fluency and Leading Transformation for Non-Profits and Social Enterprises is widely accessible and available to those living in Ontario’s rural, Indigenous and northern Ontario communities. The program supports inclusive growth and skill building, especially in areas with traditionally high levels of unemployment. Learn more about how the Schulich Executive Education Centre is leading this program with faculty from various disciplines.

30+

WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING FOR DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES The Lassonde School of Engineering is offering a flexible and innovative alternative to traditional university study in Canada with its new Digital Technologies work-integrated degree program. Students will earn a salary while working for an employer full time over a period of four years, while simultaneously attending York. The program will allow them to regularly apply theoretical learning on the job and use work experiences to illuminate classroom studies. At the same time, the program enables organizations to upskill their existing workforce and access a new talent pipeline, while promoting youth employment, inclusive growth and equal opportunity employment. Learn more about how this program is supporting a changing labour market.

Programs

relevant or related to SDG 8 YU Mitacs Interns (Accelerate, Elevate & Globalink Programs)

132 129 109 (2019-2020)

(2020-2021)

(2021-2022)

Funding secured from Mitacs Canada for training students and postdoctoral fellows in Canada and abroad with university and industry partners

1.9M

245

2.3M

INNOVATION YORK SUPPORTS RESEARCH COMMERCIALIZATION Innovation York’s Commercialization Fellowship program is available to postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows to support research projects with commercial potential. The program supports entrepreneurship through strategic, short-term funding to help with the development of commercially viable projects, with a view to licensing and/or co-development of intellectual property. Fellows gain access to experiential learning, education on intellectual property and commercialization, as well as exposure to industry and community partners. Learn more about these fellowships.

2.9M

(2019-2020 to 2021-2022)

publications relevant to SDG 8

109

(2020-2022)

47%

Students on the first day of classes in the Integrated Program: Digital Technologies.

of publications co-authored with international institutions

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

YORK FUNDS INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TO ADVANCE SDGs Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure A functioning and resilient infrastructure is the foundation of every successful community. To meet future challenges, our industries and infrastructure must be upgraded. Goal 9 ensures the promotion of innovative sustainable technologies as well as equal and universal access to information and financial markets, bringing prosperity, creating jobs and making sure that we build stable and prosperous societies across the globe.

York University’s Keele Campus.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

Through the Catalyzing Interdisciplinary Research Clusters (CIRC) program, York University has dedicated $4.05 million to support critical research that contributes to progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). “It is critical now more than ever for York to support novel interdisciplinary research collaborations that drive innovative solutions to these grand challenges,” says York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. Seven projects have received $150,000 in funding over three years and another six were awarded $100,000 over two years. This research tackles topics from information and communications technology to clean technologies, epidemic response and recovery and infectious disease control. Learn more about how York is leading SDG research.

NEW INDIGENOUS ENGINEERING & INNOVATION BY DESIGN PROGRAM LAUNCHES The Kindergarten to Industry (k2i) Academy at the Lassonde School of Engineering is dismantling systemic barriers to opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM by delivering a new, work-integrated learning program in the remote Ontario community of Blind River. Students have worked on a variety of engineering projects to apply Indigenous knowledge and traditional Indigenous engineering processes to design solutions that address challenges in their community. Participants earned a high-school interdisciplinary credit in Indigenous Engineering, Technology & Innovation by Design. Learn more about this new program.

PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS INCLUSIVE PROCUREMENT PRACTICES York University and the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support Black-owned businesses and social enterprises by reducing barriers to commerce. The agreement creates an innovative new pathway for CBCC members to fast-track their applications through York’s first-of-its-kind Social Procurement Vendor Portal. Businesses listed on the portal can then be selected by York University community members and partner institutions when they are looking for goods and services. Social procurement aims to increase community benefits by being intentional about how an organization buys its goods and services. The new agreement also commits both organizations to share knowledge and best practices to break down barriers. Learn about how York is leading on equity, human rights and inclusion.

128

Startup ventures supported:

(2021-2022)

Funding/Investment received by startups

Revenue generated by startups

(2021-2022)

$27.4M $85.5M $16.8M $18.1M (2020-2021)

(2020-2021)

Increase of 38.6%

Increase of 372%

YSPACE SUPPORTS INNOVATORS, ENTREPRENEURS AND CHANGEMAKERS YSpace is the University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub and accelerator that offers support for a variety of sectors and communities. Using microfinance, between 2021-22, YSpace supported 128 startup ventures and generated $85.5 million in revenue, while creating 263 jobs. With two physical locations, these hubs help businesses scale up or find an entry point into the Canadian marketplace, while supporting diversity-focused initiatives for women and Black business owners. Learn more about YSpace and its endeavours.

243

publications relevant to SDG 9

(2020-2022)

53%

York University and Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce are creating positive change for Black-owned businesses and social enterprises.

of publications co-authored with international institutions

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

YORK UNIVERSITY COMMITS $1 MILLION IN SUPPORT OF INDIGENOUS RESEARCH Reduce inequality within and among countries. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Too much of the world’s wealth is held by a very small group of people. This often leads to financial and social discrimination. In order for nations to flourish, equality and prosperity must be available to everyone – regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs or economic status. Goal 10 is all about addressing income inequality, social, economic and political inclusion and creating policies that promote equality.

The York University Indigenous Research Seed Fund is providing $1 million over three years to emerging and established Indigenous scholars to advance research excellence in Indigenous knowledge, languages and ways of knowing and being. The fund builds on the University’s ongoing commitment to support emerging and established Indigenous scholars, their knowledge creation and the Indigenous communities they work with, under its broader commitment to advance decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion for underrepresented groups. Learn more about this research.

York University student receives support through the Centre for Indigenous Student Services.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

LIBRARY ENHANCES SERVICES FOR ACCESSIBILITY For decades now, Library Accessibility Services and the Adaptive Lab at York University’s Scott Library have enhanced services and access to texts and information for students with print disabilities. A print disability, which affects approximately 10 per cent of all Canadians, is a learning, physical or visual disability that prevents a person from reading conventional print. To date, there are currently close to 700 active users at York who receive alternate formats of texts or who require access to the adaptive lab at Scott Library. Learn more about these services from York University Libraries.

35+

YORK RELEASES ITS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON BLACK INCLUSION The Annual Report on Black Inclusion (2021) gives an overview of more than 300 events, workshops and initiatives that took place at the University in the year since the release of Addressing Anti-Black Racism: A Framework on Black Inclusion and the accompanying Action Plan on Black Inclusion: A Living Document for Action (2021). The report is a reflection of the University’s commitment to accountability and transparency and demonstrates York’s commitment to underrepresented groups. It also highlights the University-wide effort underway to address the 81 action items outlined in the framework and action plan, including support for Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI), mentoring, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment efforts and action to advance human rights. Learn more about York’s commitment to Black inclusion.

years of work with refugees at York at the Centre for Refugee Studies

388

publications relevant to SDG 10

127

123

138

(2020-2022)

16,000+ students are the first in their family to attend university

35%

YORK UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES WORKS WITH STUDENTS TO SHARE BLACK HISTORIES ONLINE York University Libraries supported the placement of two history students who worked closely with library researchers on an important inclusion effort. These students learned how organizations like galleries, libraries, archives and museums are contributing to the public record; how to write for public audiences; and how to edit and create Wikipedia articles and Wikidata items using sources from YUL to celebrate Black histories. They were also involved in a Black History Edit-a-thon, which regularly brings together a group of interdisciplinary scholars and students to improve the coverage and quality of Black content online. “Projects like this often play an important role in shaping their choices for future careers and next steps beyond graduation,” said history professor Jennifer Bonnell. Learn more about how York University Libraries supports inclusion.

of publications co-authored with international institutions

60+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 10

Students on York University’s Keele Campus. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

UN-HACK FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities The world’s population is constantly increasing. To accommodate everyone, we need to build modern, sustainable cities. Goal 11 is about using new, intelligent urban planning to create safe, affordable and resilient cities with green and culturally inspiring living conditions.

In November 2022, more than 450 students from local high schools, York and nearby post- secondary institutions gathered at York’s Lassonde School of Engineering for a three-day immersive SDG learning experience. After learning about the design sprint process, teams selected an SDG, brainstormed and later designed relevant solutions to core sustainability challenges. A diverse set of projects emerged, in particular from the Trash to Treasure team. It’s plans to advance sustainable communities (SDG 11) involved creating “miniaturized recycling facilities

Students work in teams to brainstorm solutions to the problem they selected to address during UNHack.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

on campus to convert recycled plastic into useful building materials for new construction, art or renovation and promote on-campus recycling.” Learn more about UNHack here.

GLOBAL LESSONS IN SUSTAINABLE STAGE DESIGN The pandemic put a spoke in Ian Garrett’s plans to take his design students abroad, so he turned to globally networked learning to give them a cross-cultural experience in sustainable design. Garrett, who teaches ecological design for p erformance at York, partnered with two Australian colleagues to create a transformative educational experience in sustainability. Students worked together on a sustainable stage design project in small groups with representatives from both continents. They were also tasked with designing a set for one of the five-minute plays presented at the Climate Change Theatre Action Festival – a key feature in the 2022 World Stage Design Festival. Learn more about this innovative globally networked learning program.

STUDENTS SPEND SUMMER BUILDING LOCAL COMMUNITY SPIRIT Fifty York undergraduate students spent the summer taking part in the unique Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4) program. They worked to solve one real-world challenge: how to redesign city spaces to improve their use in all four seasons. The teams reflected on one of C4’s core values – accessibility, community, equity and sustainability – and approached the challenge through this lens. They focused on strategies for bringing together many of the communities living in Scarborough (the city’s easternmost area) to create accessible and sustainable public spaces. By centring community voices, focusing on outdoor spaces, and ensuring that children and youth had adequate resources to enjoy public areas, the equity team created a community pop-up event filled with outdoor games and giveaways. Learn more about how York students worked toward a more sustainable city.

40+

YORK ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER

Programs

relevant or related to SDG 11

262

publications relevant to SDG 11

(2020-2022)

39%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton appointed Mike Layton as York University’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. As a former Toronto City Councillor, York alum and long-time champion of sustainability, Layton brings two decades of professional experience to the role. At the City of Toronto, he championed affordable housing, renewable energy and the fight against climate change. As he leads York’s Office of Sustainability, he will consider topics like sustainable commuting, from cycling to carpooling and public transit. He will play a pivotal role in developing the University’s new Sustainability Strategy, driving new initiatives through the University’s million-dollar Sustainability Innovation Fund. Learn more about why this new role was created at York.

Asante Soccer Academy, Union Basketball Canada Academy, Key Hoops, Active Scholars and the Junior Provincial Wheelchair Basketball Team are just some of the

community sporting groups and teams hosted by York Lions at our athletic facilities

200+

The C4 equity team poses for a group photo prior to their pop-up community event.

public event days for music, drama and other performing arts (2021-2022)

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Our planet has provided us with an abundance of natural resources. But we have not utilized them responsibly and currently consume far beyond what our planet can provide. Goal 12 is about sustainably managing natural resources, reducing and managing waste better, and promoting sustainable lifestyles and company practices.

York University students volunteer at Congress 2023.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

YORK HOSTS A SUSTAINABLE CONGRESS 2023

YORK LAUNCHES ITS SOCIAL PROCUREMENT VENDOR PORTAL

In 2022, York University laid important groundwork to create positive change as the host of Congress 2023 – a major annual event for humanities and social sciences scholars. Over six days, 10,300+ attendees gathered under the event theme “Reckonings and Re-Imaginings” to reimagine a better world that embraces social justice and sustainability. With its ethically sourced coffee, tea and chocolate and decision to go swag-free, Congress 2023 was officially designated the biggest Fair Trade Event in Canadian history. Waste sorting stations were also available across campus to divert food waste and litter, and officials travelled around campus in electric cars. Learn more about the sustainability efforts behind Congress 2023.

By actively identifying and contracting with diverse-owned businesses and social enterprises, the University is making important contributions to economic growth. York University prioritized vendor diversity, first through its Social Procurement Policy and later through its Social Procurement Vendor Portal. A diverse-owned business has at least 51 per cent ownership by individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups. Social enterprises sell goods and services while embedding a social, cultural or environmental purpose within the business itself to later reinvest most of the profits into a social mission. Learn more about how this portal promotes a sustainable supply chain and contributes to ethical sourcing.

A FAST TRACK FOR RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION York has created a new pathway for black-owned businesses to fast track their applications through its Social Procurement Vendor Portal. Members of the York University community and partner institutions will be able to easily select services from these businesses when they need them. York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton congratulated York’s social procurement team and the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) for their work on “this milestone agreement aimed at leveling the playing field for Black-owned businesses and social enterprises.” Learn more about this partnership.

15+

SCHULICH SCHOOL HOME TO SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACCELERATOR LAB

Programs

relevant or related to SDG 12

132

K-12 Outreach Programs

with a focus on environment & sustainability

publications relevant to SDG 12

(2020-2022)

63%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

The Sustainable Public Procurement Accelerator Lab is located within the George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains at the Schulich School of Business. Its goal is to accelerate the uptake of public procurement practices around the world that embrace sustainability. Sustainable Public Procurement practices are seen as being a powerful agent of change, as multi-trillion-dollar annual public procurement budgets can be leveraged to advance sustainable development outcomes. The lab’s work centres around benchmarking, developing and testing new sustainable public procurement tools and practices, and scaling up the implementation of sustainable public procurement. Learn more about the lab.

65%

waste diversion from landfills

Following the MOU signing, York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton moderated a discussion about inclusive economic recovery featuring panelists from the University and community organizations.

2,443

tonnes of waste recycled (up 14% from the previous year)

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

YORK BUILDS CANADA’S FIRST CLIMATE SOLUTIONS PARKS Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. SDG 13: Climate Action Climate change is a real and undeniable threat to our entire civilization. The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now. Goal 13 is about invoking climate action through education, innovation and adherence to climate commitments, to make the necessary changes to protect the planet. These changes also provide huge opportunities to modernize our infrastructure, which will create new jobs and promote greater prosperity across the globe.

Professor José Etcheverry from York’s Faculty of Environment & Urban Change received support to create new experiential education opportunities for inner-city and Indigenous youth to help tackle climate change. With a grant from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada, two physical Climate Solutions Parks were set to be created in Toronto and Penetanguishene, Ontario. Students were to work directly with local companies, elected politicians, First Nations leaders and non-governmental organizations who are committed to climate change mitigation, adaptation and local community development.

Students from the Youth Education in Sustainable Renewable Energies and Agricultural Learning program construct a hexagonal raised garden bed with expert permaculture designer, Angelina Cristinzo.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

The projects would focus on community-focused agriculture, renewable energy, electric mobility, First Nations knowledge, sustainable construction and eco-tourism. Learn more about the parks.

CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION IN ACTION AT YORK York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton announced the goal for the University to significantly reduce direct and indirect emissions by 45 per cent to net zero by 2030. To bolster this commitment, York committed to expanding the Office of Sustainability and investing $1 million to advance sustainable innovation. Lenton also announced plans for the creation of York’s exciting new open-access series, the “Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living,” featuring six of York’s world-renowned academic experts. As a sustainability leader, the University continues to make its investment portfolio more sustainable and less prone to climate risk. Learn more about these efforts.

STUDENT-LED SOLUTIONS FOR REDUCING YORK’S CARBON EMISSIONS Eighty-five students responded to a challenge from York University Provostial Fellow Burkard Eberlein to identify how the University could further reduce carbon emissions. Eberlein invited students from his Corporate Social Responsibility in a Global Context class to participate in the case competition, pitching recommendations for action in three key areas: sustainable procurement, transportation and commuting, and food sustainability. Teams were given seven minutes to pitch creative and practical recommendations to a panel of York administrators, sustainability leaders and business experts. Learn more about student solutions for a low carbon future.

2040

Programs

relevant or related to SDG 13

achieve carbon neutrality

190

publications relevant to SDG 13

49%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

(2020-2022)

Youth Climate Report

partnering with UNFCCC since 2011

Bike Share

is used by York community members

Students plant vegetables in the Maloca Community Garden.

20+

Before

Catalyzing Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Indigenous Climate Leadership and Self‑Determined Futures

YORK MEASURES CANADA’S ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT Researchers at York have been assessing the ecological footprint of Canada and 200 other countries from 1961 to 2022. In practice, ecological footprints track the area of land and water used to grow food and renewable materials, the area occupied by settlements and infrastructure as well as the area of forests needed to soak up carbon emissions. A set of accounts for individual countries have been created to help communities engage with sustainability and make informed decisions about the future. Learn more about this important research.

consecutive years

as one of Canada’s top 100 greenest employers

Home of the

Ontario Climate Data Portal

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. SDG 14: Life Below Water Healthy oceans and seas are essential to our existence. They cover 70 percent of our planet and we rely on them for food, energy and water. Yet, we have managed to do tremendous damage to these precious resources. Goal 14 is all about reversing this damage and protecting oceans and seas by eliminating pollution and overfishing and immediately starting to responsibly manage and protect all marine life around the world.

Lassonde Professor Pouya Rezai with research team members.

30 30

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

LASSONDE TEAM DEVELOPS TOOL TO DETECT MICROPLASTICS IN WATER

HIGHLIGHTING MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION IN A UNIQUE WAY

Concerns about aquatic conservation and ecosystem protection have prompted a team of researchers from York’s Lassonde School of Engineering to develop innovative ways for detecting the presence of microplastics – a source of marine pollution. While existing standard lab-based detection methods are available, they are often slow or costly, creating a barrier to use in detailed investigations of aquatic ecosystems. Recently, a group of researchers from Lassonde Professor Pouya Rezai’s lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering designed and prototyped an affordable and simple microfluidic device for on-site microplastic detection. Learn more about this innovative work.

Shooka Karimpour is part of an interdisciplinary team at York whose research takes aim at addressing microplastic pollution in Lake Ontario. To raise awareness around the impact of this problem, Assistant Professor Karimpour delivered a micro-lecture in the world’s tiniest lecture hall. The space itself is a transparent, Plexiglas model made mostly from recycled plastics removed from Lake Ontario, featuring tiny chairs, a tiny screen and tiny people. By scanning a QR code, the public can enter the hall virtually to hear a six-minute micro-lecture on these ubiquitous pollutants. Although they are considered to be a global environmental risk, microplastics can be found in everything from water bottles to chewing gum. Learn more about this tiny lecture hall with a big impact.

ONE WATER RESEARCH UNIT RIDES WAVE OF EARLY SUCCESS One WATER is a new organized research unit at York University. Its acronym details the combined expertise of its members – W for water management, A for artificial intelligence, T for technologies, E for education and sustainability and R for resource recovery and reuse. The research unit is a central hub at York University for water-related experts to unite, conduct interdisciplinary research and generate knowledge on pressing issues, such as water security, flooding and sanitation. During its first few months, One WATER sent delegates to the United Nations, announcing that its researchers will play a key role in the delivery of the Water Academy – a collaborative education program between York, several other academic institutions and UNITAR. Learn more about this new research unit at York.

48%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

publications relevant to SDG 14

(2020-2022)

Multiple labs

YORK RESEARCHERS LEAD WATER SECURITY PANEL AT UN WATER CONFERENCE A delegation of York University researchers led a panel discussion on water security and climate change at the UN Water 2023 conference in New York City. The delegation was led by biologist Sapna Sharma, one of the world’s foremost experts on the effects of climate change on lake ice and water quality. The panel also included researchers from two other universities, along with representatives from three water-focused non-profits. “By merging knowledge together, we can come up with better policies and tangible solutions for the water crisis that disproportionately affects racialized women and children,” said Sharma. Learn more about what was revealed through this panel.

created to support interdisciplinary water research through

One WATER

15+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 14

Droplets of clean water. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

CASITA AZUL CREATES SUSTAINABILITY CHANGEMAKERS IN COSTA RICA A flourishing life on land is the foundation for our life on this planet. SDG 15: Life on Land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. We are all part of the planet’s ecosystem and we have caused severe damage to it through deforestation, loss of natural habitats and land degradation. Goal 15 is about promoting a sustainable use of our ecosystems and preserving biodiversity, which is the key to our own survival.

Casita Azul, “the Little Blue House,” is the smallest library branch in the York University Libraries’ system, but it has a big presence at Las Nubes – York University’s EcoCampus in Costa Rica. Casita Azul not only serves as a place for research and knowledge mobilization, it is also a community hub for research dissemination, citizen science, outreach and community engagement that is available to seven villages in the local area. Since the Las Nubes campus has an environmental focus, library staff work closely with local groups

Dana Craig, director of student learning and academic success for York University Libraries, teaches a class at Casita Azul.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

to promote conservation and biodiversity protection and awareness as part of the University’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn more about Casita Azul and its community engagement.

YORK COMMUNITY HELPS GREEN TORONTO CAMPUSES Members of the York University community pitched in to green both the Glendon and Keele campuses in April, by planting trees in celebration of Earth Month. The events were sponsored by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCC) Youth Climate Report, funded by the City of Toronto and held in partnership with Regenesis and York University’s Property Management Grounds in Facilities Services. Participants had the opportunity to think about interconnections between sustainable ecosystems, biodiversity protection and forest management. A total of 214 trees were planted across both campuses, including a variety of native species like sugar maples, red maples, black cherry, red oak, dogwood and others. Learn more about how the York community is greening its campuses.

YORK PROFESSOR SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON BEES OF THE WORLD Distinguished Research Professor Laurence Packer, an international leader in bee taxonomy and systematics, biogeography, biodiversity, conservation biology and behaviour, has authored a comprehensive guide called Bees of the World (Princeton University Press: 2023). The book features over 100 genera of bees, accompanied by detailed descriptions of their anatomy, behaviours, life cycle, social organization and more. Packer has studied bees for decades and written about how they have become a threatened species globally. His bestselling book, Keeping the Bees: Why All Bees Are at Risk and What We Can Do to Save Them, won the prestigious Canadian Science Writers’ Association General Audience Book Award. Learn more about his work on bees.

The Indigenous Climate Change Futures Project Home to the Centre for Bee Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

132

publications relevant to SDG 15

(2020-2022)

Las Nubes EcoCampus sits on 427.7 acres of land hosting the Lillian Meighen Wright Centre landmark building, the Casita Azul community library & several conservation areas, including the Las Nubes Biological Reserve.

YORK FILM PROFESSOR EXPLORES STRUGGLE OF SINIXT PEOPLE IN DOCUMENTARY Although Ali Kazimi’s documentary film Beyond Extinction: Sinixt Resurgence took 27 years to complete, it was worth the wait. It tells the story of the decades-long struggle of the autonomous Sinixt people to overturn their legal extinction by Canada in 1956. Kazimi, a professor in York’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, used award funds from his 2019 Governor General’s Award for Visual and Media Arts to explore how Indigenous land and identity had been stripped away and regained by this First Nation, whose territory straddled what is now the Canada-United States border. It premiered globally at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam in 2022 and has been screened at festivals in Toronto and Vancouver. Learn more about this extraordinary film.

58%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

15+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 15

Distinguished Research Professor Laurence Packer. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

INDIGENOUS RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD CREATED Compassion and a strong moral compass are essential to every democratic society. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Yet, persecution, injustice and abuse still run rampant and are tearing at the very fabric of civilization. Goal 16 ensures that we tackle abuse, organized crime, corruption and violence through strong institutions and global standards of justice.

In July 2022, York launched a wholly autonomous Indigenous Research Ethics Board (IREB) – a first among post-secondary institutions in Canada. Work is underway to ensure the board is operational during the 2023-24 academic year. The IREB will mesh its unique approach with Tri-Council standards and requirements. “It is a significant move in returning to Indigenous people agency, authority, and sovereignty in knowledge production on this land,” said Susan Dion, the associate vice-president of Indigenous initiatives at York University. Learn more about the new IREB.

Sean Hillier, a Mi’kmaw scholar and co-chair of the Indigenous Council at York and Chair of the team that enabled the establishment of the IREB.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

LAW PROFESSOR HARNESSES TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE JUSTICE FOR REFUGEES A new app was set to be created that helps lawyers prepare for refugee hearings, thanks to the work of the Refugee Law Lab at York University. A key principle of the initiative is to uphold fairness in the refugee hearing process. The app will ultimately help lawyers gain insights about the decision-makers who will be hearing their clients’ refugee claims and will present data in an easily understandable visual format. The Refugee Law Lab is an offshoot of the Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS) at Osgoode Hall Law School and was established by CRS director Sean Rehaag. Learn more about this new refugee-focused app.

TAKING CENTRE STAGE AT A UN SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE Zahra Nader, a York University doctoral student in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, appeared as a civil society representative before the United Nations Security Council in a recent debate on women, peace and security. In 2017, Nader, a native of Afghanistan, began pursuing her PhD in gender, feminist and women’s studies at York University. A journalist by profession, she and a group of other female journalists from Afghanistan launched Zan Times – a non-profit newsroom in exile – to report on human rights violations in Afghanistan. Using the UN as a neutral platform, she shared specific examples of support for women’s resilience in conflict-affected countries. Learn more about Nader’s efforts to support Afghan women.

Indigenous Framework

15+

developed in partnership with York’s Indigenous Council

years providing free education in the global south for refugees

300+ global experiential learning partners

28%

of publications co-authored with international institutions

OSGOODE STUDENT RECEIVES JUSTICE ROSALIE SILBERMAN ABELLA PRIZE Maryam Hassan, a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School’s Juris Doctor program and articling student at Henein Hutchison LLP, received the inaugural Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize presented by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). The RSC established the prize in honour of Abella, a changemaker celebrated for her visionary intellectual contributions and commitment to building equality and equity across Canadian society and beyond. Hassan is recognized for her work in addressing systemic racism within and beyond the criminal justice system to advocate for marginalized communities. Learn about her award here.

major scholarship programs for students who are SDG leaders or global changemakers

50+ Programs

relevant or related to SDG 16

Zahra Nader, a York University doctoral student in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, appeared as a civil society representative before the United Nations Security Council in a recent debate on women, peace and security.

341

publications relevant to SDG 16

125

117

(2020-2022)

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

The Global Goals can only be met if we work together. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. Goal 17 is about fostering global partnerships, international investments, and support to ensure innovative technological development, fair trade and market access, especially for developing countries. To build a better world, we need to be supportive, empathetic, inventive, passionate and, above all, cooperative.

INDIGENOUS METAVERSE JOINS UNESCO’S CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES Biskaabiiyaang: The Indigenous Metaverse joined the global community for UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages, 2022-2032, along with more than 1,400 other organizations that are working towards protecting Indigenous languages worldwide. Biskaabiiyaang shared Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) resources and will also contribute stories, tools and research for metaverse learning as the project continues. These materials are produced by a network of

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton engages with Biskaabiiyaang: The Indigenous Metaverse.

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

First Nations Elders, Anishinaabe community members, the Indigenous Youth Council and partners including the Nokiiwin Tribal Council, York University and UniVirtual. Learn more about the the Indigenous Metaverse.

GLENDON COLLEGE LAUNCHES INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND TRAUMA-INFORMED TRAINING Glendon College, in partnership with the Nokiiwin Tribal Council, has developed an online certificate program in Indigenous Cultural Competency and Trauma-Informed Training. The course is funded in part by the Donner Canadian Foundation and taught by assistant professor Maya Chacaby, who is Anishinaabe from Red Rock First Nation. While building on existing skills, the course aims to increase awareness of Indigenous healing and wellness strategies, truth and reconciliation, and cultural resurgence. Through knowledge translation and cross-sectional dialogue, it aims to build cultural competencies by examining the underlying issues impacting Indigenous communities today and building capacity (individual and organizational) to create a climate of hope and validation. Learn more about this training program.

PARTNERING TO EXPAND HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP CAPACITY Schulich ExecEd, an extension of the Schulich School of Business at York University, has partnered with the government in Guyana to build up their health-care system. The partnership aims to develop capacity to train hospital leadership through a program designed to teach management and leadership skills to senior leaders and executive heads across the health sector. “The University’s substantial health system expertise will be a catalyst for positive change in Guyana’s health-care system and reflects our dedication to global leadership on the SDGs,” said York’s Provost and Vice-President Academic, Lisa Philipps. The partnership is focused on knowledge transfer and international collaboration while modelling SDG best practices. Learn more about this important work to support global health care.

350+

MOUs with global partners in 2021-2022 (up from 345 in 2020-21)

Joint Collaborations with intergovernmental organizations, including the WHO, UNESCO, UNITAR, UNECE & the G7.

50%

of publications published through international collaboration in 2022

YORK LAUNCHES NEW INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY York University has launched Engaging the World: York University’s Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, 2022-2027. After being finalized in late 2022, the strategy reflects a commitment to Advancing Global Engagement, one of the six priorities for action identified under the University Academic Plan. Under this direction, the University will continue to develop meaningful partnerships that enhance research and student learning opportunities, while expanding the global reach of new ideas and discoveries through international collaboration, open access and knowledge translation. The University will also continue to embrace new technologies to achieve the goals, and expand efforts to engage more diverse populations in the pursuit of knowledge. Learn more about the path forward.

$8M+

Representatives from York University visited Guyana to launch a new program designed to teach management and leadership skills to senior leaders across the health sector.

in external funding between 2020-2022 to leverage AI, Big Data and fight pandemics in and with the global south.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 | York University

yorku.ca/unsdgs