Montréal, September 24, 2024 – The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH) and HEC Montréal announced a new joint initiative aimed at raising global awareness of environmental challenges and advancing the transition towards sustainability through active engagement with global media.
The initiative was announced today at a special ceremony held at HEC Montréal, where Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH, and Professor Federico Pasin, Director of HEC Montréal, signed a formal declaration of collaboration.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, challenges such as water management, climate change, public health, and food security require innovative solutions and broad public participation. During the signing ceremony, the two parties indicated their commitment to fostering media engagement that highlights sustainable development and addresses the environmental challenges we face today.
This joint effort will emphasize capacity building, knowledge creation, and research initiatives related to media and society. It underscores the essential role that media professionals play in addressing critical global environmental issues.
"The media holds a profound responsibility to inform, educate, and inspire action. Through accurate and impactful reporting, it has the power to drive awareness and foster positive change in mitigating the impacts of climate change. We are pleased to start this partnership which is based on our profound understanding of the need and value of active engagement of media in global sustainability transition," said Prof. Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH.
“HEC Montreal is pleased to collaborate with UNU-INWEH to support efforts that engage academia as well as media professionals in addressing the critical issues of sustainable development, particularly in areas of managing environmental challenges related to water, climate change, health, and food security, " said Federico Pasin, Director, HEC Montréal.
Both institutions recognize the urgent need to promote accurate and impactful reporting on environmental and climate challenges. By strengthening the capacity of media professionals to cover these topics effectively, this partnership aims to enhance public understanding and mobilize action in support of global sustainable development goals.
About UNU-INWEH
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutions that form the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the United Nations. Hosted by the Government of Canada, UNU-INWEH focuses on major sustainability challenges, addressing critical water, environmental, and health issues worldwide. Through research, training, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination, UNU-INWEH is dedicated to resolving pressing global challenges that are of concern to the United Nations and its member states.
About HEC Montréal
HEC Montréal is a is a bilingual business school located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Since 1907, as the first established school of management in Canada, HEC Montréal has trained responsible leaders across various management fields, contributing to organizational success and the sustainable transition of society. The university's community includes nearly 14,000 students from 146 countries, over 300 faculty members, and more than 110,000 alumni. HEC Montréal offers approximately 150 undergraduate and graduate programs and welcomes over 9,000 managers and executives to its training programs annually.
Media Contact
Sogol Jafarzadeh
UN and Government Relations Coordinator, UNU-INWEH
sogol.jafarzadeh@unu.edu
