Recognising the need to rethink higher education and its role in a transition towards a more sustainable society, a group of over 30 international higher education agencies, organisations, associations and student networks, rooted in different parts of the world, came together virtually in January 2012. The partnership, led by COPERNICUS Alliance and with the support of the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU IAS) and the International Association of Universities (IAU), developed the Rio+20 Treaty on Higher Education.
The Rio+20 Treaty presents the collective vision of higher education networks, groups and institutions that are seeking to build more sustainable futures. It was developed through a lengthy collaborative process involving civil society and key experts on higher education and sustainability. It currently has the support of over 100 signatories.
The Higher Education Treaty has received a positive response from the international community which has recognised the value of this initiative in building momentum during, and after, Rio+20. The Treaty acknowledges the work which has been done to date to embed sustainability within higher education, but also invites higher education stakeholders to commit to its principles and take innovative actions to transform the sector.
Please check the text of the Treaty for more information.