“Fostering Youth-led Innovations to Accelerate Progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals” Report Released at COP28

At COP28, a consortium of universities led by the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and the University of Waterloo, Canada, released their report Fostering Youth-led Innovations to Accelerate Progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide for Policy makers. The report highlights young voices speaking about their needs for eco-innovations. The report has been endorsed by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has stated that youth should be prepared to “address the most pressing global challenges” and that “education must equip all learners with the values, skills, and knowledge that nurture cooperation, resilience, respect for diversity, gender justice, and human rights.” H.E. Ban Ki-moon is the Patron of Mission 4.7, along UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

In preparation for COP28, Mission 4.7 founding partners the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University led a group of more than 15 universities across Mexico, the United States, and Canada to find innovative ways to foster youth-led innovation for the SDGs. The report is a result of workshops and webinars held from June to October, which covered topics such as sustainability curriculum design, scaling and commercializing sustainable ventures, climate communications, and more.

Ahead of the launch, Professor Matthew Witenstein of the University of Dayton expressed his excitement at debuting the report in such a high-profile venue. “COP28 will be a great venue to showcase young voices through our policy document.” Dr. Radhika Iyengar, Chair of Mission 4.7, who spearheaded this report, also stressed the importance of releasing the report at COP28, as it aims to foster youth leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurial capabilities through transformative approaches to sustainability education and training.

The consortium of universities launched their report at the RewirEd Summit 2023 at COP28 in a session titled “Connecting the dots: Youth-led Initiatives in Rewiring Education for Climate Action.” Panelists included young environmental leaders Vidya Bindal and Eshaan Jain from New Jersey, who showcased their grassroots actions and reflected on the report. The panel also included Dr. Wen-Wen Tung, Associate Professor and Director of the Geodata Science for Professionals MSc. Program at Purdue University, one of the co-authors of the report, and Mission 4.7 High-level Advisory Group member the Rev. Canon Dr. Betsee Parker, Baroness of Locheil.

“Youth are leaders now and for tomorrow, and we must transform education to enable them to make their fullest contribution to the innovation necessary to deliver global betterment for all. This report highlights actionable steps for policy makers to make this happen,” says Professor Wendy Purcell of Rutgers University. Professor Purcell brought to the report her expertise in health and climate, giving it a holistic perspective.

Regarding the learnings that resulted in the report, Professor Tung reflects that “today's youth are crucial in creating a sustainable future, one that integrates innovations in the physical, digital, and holistic human realms. Institutions across all sectors must recognize youth as key assets and partners.”

Dr. Sumie Song of the GREEN Program and content director of the report emphasizes the importance of education for youth empowerment: “Every student, regardless of academic major, has the right to learn about sustainability and climate action. It is vitally important that young people in communities that have suffered the most harm from climate change are equipped and empowered to lead the transformation to a sustainable future.”

The objective of the panel was to galvanize more universities in the Global North—in particular, from the United States, Mexico and Canada—to join this movement to teach about the SDGs through an empowering and innovative lens.

Nicholas Palaschuk of the University of Waterloo, who initiated the report-writing process, stresses that, “with the 2030 deadline right around the corner, broadening mentorship opportunities for young people to gain practical know-how is critical so they develop the confidence needed to drive sustainable solutions at scale. When youth are given the chance to apply their ideas, learn by doing, and receive proper guidance, they start to bridge their values with bold actions that create real impact."

You can access the full report here.

Or download the paper by scanning this QR code.