University of Waterloo
IN-25: Innovation B

SDSN Canada is part of a global SDSN movement to build a network of universities, research centers, civil society organizations, and knowledge institutions. With over 700 participating institutions worldwide, SDSN members work together, to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. As a host of the SDSN Canadian network, the University of Waterloo will use its position as home to Canada’s largest Faculty of Environment to share knowledge, activate research and help solve the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world. The SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society, thus opening up exciting new opportunities of collaboration for Waterloo. In collaboration with participating universities and partners, SDSN Canada will: o Build an on-going pan-Canadian network of post-secondary institutions, civil society, and others, to facilitate learning and accelerate problem solving for sustainable development o Link Canadian experts to the global SDSN and to global discussions on a universal agenda for sustainable development o Organize national/sub-national sustainable development meetings bringing together key actors to identify and promote regional solutions initiatives o Foster debate on sustainable development within Canadian academia and society more broadly o Conduct action-oriented research that helps Canada adopt and implement policies and practices that provide international leadership in sustainability o Develop and continually improve educational programming for sustainable development The University of Waterloo takes a special role in founding the effort within Canada, including coordinating with SDSN and UN global officials, providing startup funding for network activities, initiating the launch of the network and new member recruitment, hosting web and other in-kind resources, chairing the leadership council, and hiring the SDSN Canada Manager, who is already working with government, civil society, and other institutions to develop initial projects and initiatives for the Network.