Purchase Joins United Nations’ University Global Coalition

As part of Purchase College’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and social justice, the college has officially signed the United Nations’ University Global Coalition (UGC). The UGC, which enlists globally engaged colleges and universities to work in partnership for a more sustainable future, is focused on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

These goals are designed to help tackle the planet’s most urgent challenges including everything from defeating poverty and hunger to supporting education, creating affordable and clean energy, and reducing inequalities.

“Environmental sustainability, climate change, equity, and justice are priorities in all aspects of our campus, both in and outside the classroom,” says President Milagros Peña. “The Sustainable Development Goals align with the way we have been tackling these issues as a community. We are committed to continuing and expanding this work and to inspiring our faculty, students, and staff as we join together to work towards a safer, more equitable future for all.”

The benefits are many, especially for students. Anne M. Kern, dean for global strategy and international programs and director of the Center for Engagement, explains, “Among the many reasons to integrate the SDG framework into our students’ educational experience is its prevalence across all sectors of government, business, industry, and institutions. Our students are highly likely to encounter the SDGs in their professional lives, and we want them to be well versed and prepared to contribute to meeting these goals.”

Continuing the work already being done on campus to further the SDGs, Sustainability Coordinator Angie Kim believes Purchase can truly make an impact. “The SDG framework provides an opportunity to work together and support one another to make transformational change that impacts not only our students, but also the global community,” Kim says. “As we’ve been working on presenting the SDGs in this past year, I have never felt more connected, hopeful, and optimistic about the possibilities and impact Purchase could make. ”