VU Amsterdam appointed as Vice-Chair for Research for the United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goal 17 Hub by United Nations Academic Impact
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was appointed as the new United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goals Hub Vice-Chair for Research for SDG 17 by the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative. for a threeyear term.
VU Amsterdam will play an essential role in advancing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by leading Research initiatives for the UNAI SDG 17 Hub, from March 2025 to December 2027, as part of the larger UNAI network, which comprises over 1,700 universities and colleges across more than 150 countries.
Professor of transnational environmental governance and policy Philipp Pattberg: “This important appointment is in alignment with the VU’s longstanding commitment to global citizenship and broad societal impact. This is an exciting new chapter in our journey toward advancing sustainability in research, education and on campus. We are excited to join the United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goal Hub 17 for the 2025 – 2027 period”.
From the appointment letter UN: “This decision follows a rigorous selection process, during which we reviewed over 330 applications from higher education institutions worldwide. VU Amsterdam has stood out through its multi-stakeholder partnerships that span academia, civil society, and industry. Initiatives such as the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute, Athena Institute, and Green Action Lab foster transdisciplinary collaboration for real-world solutions. Through these efforts, VU Amsterdam has demonstrated its dedication to advance the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.”
UNAI SDG Hub Network
UNAI SDG Hubs are designated institutions of higher education within the UNAI network that actively work to promote the SDGs by leveraging the power of academia to create positive social, economic, and environmental change. Each Hub is designated to focus on a specific SDG, fostering research, education, and global collaboration to advance that goal, while respecting the strong interdependencies across all 17 SDGs.
Background on United Nations Academic Impact
UNAI is an initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in supporting and contributing to the realization of United Nations goals and mandates. UNAI members are making significant strides in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda to further encourage innovation and commitment to sustainability education for future generations. More information about the UNAI.