Confederation College Second Postsecondary Institution in Ontario to Sign Sustainable Development Goals Accord

THUNDER BAY, ON, April 22, 2021 – Today, on Earth Day, Confederation College proudly announces that it is the second postsecondary institution in Ontario to sign the SDG Accord, the postsecondary sector’s collective response to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.

“In signing this Accord, we join educational institutions from around the world in prioritizing sustainability in all its forms, following a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future,” said Kathleen Lynch, President. “The commitment we are making represents an important next step in advancing our longstanding College-wide sustainability effort, and furthers our work to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive experience for all members of our College community. The implementation of the SDG Accord responsibilities supports our Strategic Plan and will inform our next Sustainability Plan, which is currently under development.”

Building on past successes, the Sustainable Development Goals will enable Confederation College to look beyond the more traditional environmental sustainability focus, to arrive at a holistic and global approach. The SDG strategies range from responsible consumption, innovation and infrastructure, clean water and clean energy, to quality education, reduced poverty and inequalities, good health and well-being, economic growth and more.

The SDG Accord closely aligns with Confederation’s values of courage, equity and relationships, and supports the College’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, Kaa-anokaatekin. Touching on each of the College’s four Strategic Plan pillars—Access and Success, Indigenous Learning, Institutional Excellence and Community Prosperity—the Accord will specifically assist in the management of sustainable physical environments that are responsive to the needs of the College community, and the College’s commitment to ensure all graduates leave with an appreciation of global citizenship.

“It is critical for us to help lead the way in addressing the urgent social, economic and environmental challenges facing our planet, including climate change and issues like poverty and inequality,” said Lynch. “We not only want to do our part for our collective future, but also want to inspire our College community, particularly our students and employees, to do the same.”

To learn more about the SDG Accord, visit www.sdgaccord.org. To learn more about sustainability at Confederation College, visit www.confederationcollege.ca/sustainability.

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Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has eight regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Greenstone, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Wawa. 

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,000 combined full- and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 850 full- and part-time employees. Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $643.4 million annually.

For more information, please contact:
Ashleigh Quarrell, Manager, Communications and Public Relations
Cell: (807) 632-5296, E-mail: [email protected]