New York – This
past weekend, the Executive Committee of the Student Assembly of the State
University of New York (SUNY SA) passed a resolution formally calling on SUNY
to align its campuses with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, an action that would further solidify SUNY’s reputation as a
global leader. The resolution was put
forth to the Assembly’s Executive Committee and successfully passed during the
Committee’s business meeting on Saturday, September 26. The resolution comes in
the wake of the United Nations' adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development on Friday, September 25, just 24 hours prior.
The resolution calls upon SUNY and its universities to
align with the Sustainable Development Goals in order to create an inclusive
system-wide environment. SUNY SA
strongly believes that these goals transcend SUNY, and that by adopting these
goals, SUNY and its campuses would become global leaders, encouraging a
universal paradigm shift and fostering conversation within universities,
communities and nations.
In addition, the Assembly is confident that aligning with
this agenda is the best way for SUNY SA to embody SUNY Global Affairs’ vision
for all of SUNY:
The vision as stated on the webpage of the SUNY Office of
Global Affairs:
“Global Affairs is committed to the creation of
opportunities for all SUNY students to gain a global and intercultural
perspective on themselves, their society and their area of study as an
essential part of a well-rounded twenty-first century education.”
The Sustainable Development Agenda passed by the United
Nations contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 detailed targets
designed to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions globally
over the next fifteen years and ensure an inclusive environment for the people
of the member nations.
Morgan Wood, Interim Secretary for the Assembly and one of the driving forces in the writing of this resolution, is thrilled by the work SUNY SA has completed. “This resolution goes far beyond New York State and is going to have more impact on future generations than we can possibly understand today. I want to thank the Assembly for their efficiency in passing this resolution and their understanding of what an essential commitment aligning to the Sustainable Development Goals is for SUNY. We are among the first to adhere to this newly released agenda to the UN and that is a strong, encouraging statement.”
Zachary Beaudoin, Chair of the SUNY SA’s Sustainability
Committee, views this resolution as critical to the organization’s future
success. He states, “I truly believe
that this resolution supports an effort that is not only in the best interest
of the students, but helps further align SUNY as a sustainable global leader.
It wasn't without a lot of dedicated work from my committee that we were able
prepare and pass this resolution 24 hours after the United Nations voted to
adopt the SDGs, and I'm ecstatic that we are able to be a part of this
important place in history.”
On the passing of this resolution, SUNY Student Assembly
President Thomas Mastro’s remarks were as follows: “The passing of this
resolution marks SUNY SA’s ongoing commitment to our students and our society.
As SUNY Global Affairs states, a global perspective is an essential part of a
modern education for today’s students. I
am extremely proud to declare that SUNY SA embraced that perspective
today. We lead higher education
institutions around the world by adhering to the Agenda for Sustainable
Development, and I look forward to the resulting transformation that will occur
in how our world operates.”
About
the Student Assembly of the State University of New York: The Student Assembly of the State
University of New York (SUNY SA) is an organization comprised of student
leaders elected by their peers from across SUNY’s 64 campuses. Empowering students throughout the
state, the SUNY SA is committed to student life and ensuring the representation
of its members on the state and national level as well as throughout the SUNY
system.
Source: SUNY SA
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