UNAI is an arm of the United Nations committed to helping higher education institutions integrate and support the fulfilment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). York has been selected amongst the 1,700-plus UNAI member institutions as UNAI Hub Chair for SDG 10 in recognition of its institutional commitment to addressing systemic inequality, discrimination and exclusion across the University's operations, teaching, research and outreach - a pledge for positive change included in the University Academic Plan.
The Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy 2023-28 as well as the Framework and Action Plan for Black Inclusion, Indigenous Framework and the recently issued Well-being Strategy, offer comprehensive, constructive guidance for York's efforts to address disparities and advance social justice, to the benefit of all.
Other highlights of York's impact in local and global communities include YSpace's start-up programs supporting hundreds of innovative ventures and entrepreneurs in equity-deserving communities and the University's Social Procurement policy, which spotlights local equity-deserving business owners and social enterprises. In the research sphere, York has provided $1 million in support of Indigenous research and became the first university in Canada to develop an Indigenous Research Ethics Board.
"York's recognition as UNAI Hub Chair for SDG 10 reflects the University's founding commitment and continued leadership in reducing systemic inequalities through generating, sharing and acting on knowledge," says Laina Bay-Cheng, vice-president equity, people and culture at York University. "The collective efforts of our faculty, students and staff show how universities can be powerful catalysts for making positive change on campuses and beyond. It is an honour to be selected from 1,700 institutions, and it is also an opportunity to forge new partnerships and pathways to transforming inequalities through access to knowledge."
York joins 20 international universities from 17 countries selected as Chairs and co-Chairs of other SDG Hubs - with York being one of two institutions representing Canada. This builds on York's partnership with the United Nations, and follows York hosting the first Canadian UNITAR CIFAL Centre in 2021, and the University named academic lead of the UNITAR Global Water Academy in 2023.
The UNAI SDG 10 Hub Chair provides the York community with an opportunity to share its innovative and groundbreaking research projects and initiatives that reduce inequalities in local and global communities. In the months ahead, York will work in partnership with UNAI and other member institutions to promote best practices for positive change in higher education and beyond.
York's sustainability leadership is reflected in various rankings and recognitions: 35th globally for sustainable development impact in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings; first in Canada and second worldwide for impact in SDG 1 (Eradicating Poverty); and first in Canada and 33 globally for SDG 10 (Reducing Inequality).
The University has also maintained its status as one of Canada's Greenest and Most Diverse Employers, and also recently ranked 19th globally for equality on campus in the QS World University Ranking: Sustainability: 2025.
Learn more about how York University is advancing the UN SDGs.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
