Higher education (HE) is vital to shaping futures that are inclusive, just, and sustainable. Yet, higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world are grappling with how to adapt to an evolving world. To explore these challenges and address the critical role and potential of, as well as trust in, HEIs, UN Academic Impact along with partners Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), International Science Council (ISC), International Association of Universities, German Center for Research and Innovation New York (DWIH), York University (Canada), UNESCO, UNITAR, and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) convened the Global Higher Education Symposium under the theme “'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for 2030”.
Held on the sidelines of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the event offered a unique space to reimagine higher education’s value proposition, its principles, and rethink how higher education institutions can best serve learners, societies, governments, industry, and civil society in their quest for a sustainable future—while preserving principles, autonomy, and international character.
The Symposium included 50 participants representing a broad spectrum of stakeholders from higher education, youth and civil society, UN agencies, funds, and programmes, educational organizations and networks, and the private sector from around the world.
In opening the event, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming, noted that “Higher education is a quiet but powerful force for diplomacy—fostering international collaboration, advancing scientific exchange, and reinforcing the need for knowledge to be co-produced with impacted communities who are too often marginalized”.
Stressing the importance and value of science and higher education coming together in the multilateral space, President-elect of the ISC, Robbert Dijkgraaf stated in his opening remarks, “It is essential that science be represented within the multilateral system as a global public good and a vital tool for evidence-informed decision-making.”
In an impassioned call to action, keynote speaker Nudhara Yusuf, Executive Coordinator of the Global Governance Innovation Network, posed important questions for participants to consider, including: “What must we retire from our current systems to make way for the transformations we need? How do we reimagine governance, financing, and curriculum to reflect planetary and intergenerational responsibility? What have we gotten right that we need to draw on to embed resilience, not just in institutions, but in the people and principles that guide them?”
The convening included two panel discussions with thought-provoking questions and interventions for both panelists and participants. The first, moderated by Noah Sobe, Chief of Section for Higher Education at UNESCO, featured panelists Dr. Marcia Barbosa, professor at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and VP for Freedom and Responsibility in Science at the International Science Council, Dr. Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General of the International Association of Universities, and Dr. Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA.
Focusing on the question of how institutions of higher education can define their role and confront challenges in a rapidly changing global landscape, panelists highlighted both barriers to success and solutions. “Higher education should not be a business,” stated Dr. Barbosa. “It cannot be handled as a fast-food training system. We need to form people who will bring solutions to the problems that do not yet exist.”
Fellow panelist Dr. van’t Land noted the important role universities play in defending democratic values that students and staff need to acquire in order to thrive as active citizens in equitable, sustainable societies. “The role of leadership is key,” said Dr. van’t Land. “So is the importance of teacher training and the development of democratic approaches to governance and campus operations. Universities need to lead by example.”
Dr. Aw noted that the current challenges facing higher education also offered opportunities for institutions to rethink their approach. “We can move from being prestige-driven to purpose driven.”
The second panel focused on solutions with moderator Dr. Helen Bond, Co-chair SDSN USA, Howard University and panelists Dr. Arturo Condo, President, EARTH University, Dr. Yensi Flores Bueso, Co-chair, Global Young Academy, University of Washington, Seattle and Chris Foster CEO of DNY (Deutsch New York) and Chairman of The Next Practice (TNP) presenting ideas for higher education’s evolution.
Dr. Yensi Flores Bueso highlighted that long-established incentive structures mean scholars stopped asking “is this relevant?” and started asking “can it be published?” Her intervention identified a possible path forward through a transition to open science, grounded in responsible research assessment. “If we truly want higher education to support a sustainable and just future, then we must change the culture we incentivize — and that starts with reforming our reward systems.”
Dr. Arturo Condo stressed the importance of developing a purpose-driven university model that focuses on the needs of humanity and not just rankings, reputation and citations: “The future of higher education must be grounded in purpose. We should commit to a model of education that responds directly to the needs of people and planet. This means preparing and empowering ethical leaders, fostering inclusive development, and aligning our teaching, research, and outreach with the urgent goals of sustainability and equity."
During his intervention, Chris Foster pointed out how a multisectoral approach could benefit the work being done to reimagine higher education. “There are some lessons that higher education can learn from the private sector in terms of conveying its value, including: 1) start with smaller, targeted audiences, rather than trying to speak to everyone; 2) create a clear emotional link to that group; 3) use data and insight to guide message design and actionability; and 4) provide concrete, achievable calls to action.”
Time was set aside to clarify ideas and suggestions, which resulted in a Zero Draft Consensus Statement grounded in shared principles and articulating the transformative potential of higher education for societies. Following a consultation process on the Zero Draft Consensus Statement, the outcome is intended to directly inform intergovernmental processes, notably contributing to the 2026 HLPF, with particular relevance to science, technology and innovation, and establish a higher education-driven foundation for navigating the current and post-2030 conversation.
“It is important for higher education to move from the periphery to the core of policymaking for sustainable development as we look into the future,” stressed Charles Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University in Canada.
Robert Skinner, Officer-in-Charge and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement of the Outreach Division in the UN Department of Global Communications, concluded the meeting by reiterating that “UNAI is committed to ensuring there is a pathway from the halls of academia to the conference rooms of the UN to the people in our communities. We work to ensure that the scholarship, research, and innovations produced in your classrooms and on your campuses are applied to real-world problems.”