Innovation & Education

Advancing knowledge generation and lifelong learning for sustainability

Classroom of people

Building more sustainable societies relies fundamentally on fostering creative, innovative solutions and empowering individuals through education. UNU-IAS accelerates knowledge generation and lifelong learning for a sustainability transformation through policy-oriented research, capacity development and partnerships. Focusing on education for sustainable development (ESD), we advance the global ESD for 2030 Agenda to engage learners of all ages in achieving the SDGs, harnessing innovative technology to reach the marginalized. In doing so, UNU-IAS mobilizes global and regional networks, including the Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (RCEs) and the higher education alliance Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research Network (ProSPER.Net).

News

News

Webinar Explores the Role of AI in Smarter, Sustainable University Management

Experts highlighted human-centred approaches and applications of AI to strengthen governance and operations in higher education.

02 Oct 2025

Media Coverage

UNU-IAS Workshops at Expo 2025 Featured in Malaysian Newspaper

Utusan Malaysia published an article featuring our sessions on the importance of traditional Indigenous knowledge in protecting biodiversity.

29 Sep 2025

Media Coverage

Advancing Circular Solutions for EV Battery Waste in Asia and the Pacific

A blog post co-authored by our expert Anupam Khajuria was featured on the UN ESCAP website.

09 Sep 2025

AI and Sustainability Podcast Art

AI and Sustainability Podcast

How is AI helping universities manage their operations? Tune in to the latest episode to hear expert insights.
Listen now

Upcoming Events

Aerial view of Okayama City, Japan

Conference

14th Global RCE Conference

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Learning for a Sustainable Future: RCE Stories of Action-Oriented Pedagogy

Insights on how action-oriented education enables learners to create solutions to pressing sustainability challenges.
Download the book

Publications

Brief

Integrating Data to Ensure Inclusive Education for Climate-displaced Populations

Insights and recommendations on utilizing data to minimize learning disruptions in the context of climate change.

21 Feb 2025

Report

Design and Implementation of a Net-Zero Youth Capacity Building Programme: Case of Thailand

Guidance on developing effective capacity building programmes empowering youth to engage in climate action.

20 Mar 2024

Projects

Project

Education for Sustainable Development - RCEs and ProSPER.Net

The aim of this project is to generate, accelerate and mainstream Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

27 Nov 2020

Project

Enhancing Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Safeguarding and Transmission Using ICT in Luang Prabang

This project aims to enhance the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the World Heritage Site town of Luang Prabang, in Lao PDR.

13 Jan 2022

Project

K-Eco Global Net-Zero Partnership (K-GNP)

This project aims to develop research-based capacity building modules for effective implementation and governance of the Paris Agreement.

17 May 2022

Project

Regional Research on Climate Change Displacement and the Right to Education

The aim of this project is to establish understanding of climate change displacement across the Asia Pacific region to inform policy recommendations.

13 Jan 2022