CICan’s vision of better futures for people and communities is guided and inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Colleges and institutes are playing a critical role in Canada’s progress towards these goals and CICan is leading the way.
The SDGs provide a framework for collaboration, among our members and with partners, to ensure our actions contribute to positive change for people and planet. Our own programs, both domestic and international, are all tied to at least one of the 17 SDGs.
The SDGs are also reflected in our strategic plan, Strengthening the System, and embedded in all our activities and programs to maximize their impact. In 2019, we launched the ImpAct initiative to build on the shared values and aspirations of our members and amplify the college and institute system’s contributions to economic and social development, community well-being and a sustainable future. Colleges and institutes have a key role to play in supporting the transition to a greener future.
SDG Toolkit for Canadian Colleges and Institutes
As part of this initiative we created a valuable SDG toolkit which can be used by members as an open education resource. We also offer the ImpAct Internships program to help employers advance priorities that align with the SDGs and encourage Canadian youth to become SDG ambassadors as they gain critical skills for the 21st century.
The SDG Accord
CICan is a proud signatory of the SDG Accord along with postsecondary institutions and stakeholder groups from around the world. It also encourages the sharing of best-practices by serving as the pan-Canadian UNEVOC Centre and the lead for the North American cluster of centres.