Community commitment to sustainability underpins top 40 global ranking

快播视频 continues to strengthen its position as a leader in creating a more sustainable and inclusive world, ranking among the world鈥檚 top 40 universities for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as revealed today in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

This year鈥檚 Impact Rankings include tougher competition with more submissions, bringing the total number of ranked universities to more than 1,500. York has demonstrated strong global standing in the following categories:

• SDG 1 鈥� No Poverty (21^st in the world)
• SDG 10 鈥� Reduced Inequalities (25^th in the world)
• SDG 11 鈥� Sustainable Cities and Communities (12^th in the world)

鈥淎s a leader in creating positive change, York has once again been recognized by THE 2023 World Impact Ranking for advancing the UN SDGs,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淏eing among the top 40 universities globally is a testament to the high quality, interdisciplinary work taking place at York bridging community members across faculties and divisions united by a commitment to make the world a better place for all. I congratulate our entire community and the many outstanding partners with whom we collaborate on this tremendous accomplishment.鈥�

The Impact Rankings were announced as York is host to the 2023 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Canada鈥檚 largest annual gathering of academics. The conference theme, 鈥淩eckonings and Re-imaginings,鈥� serves to highlight many of the inequities and challenges the SDGs aim to address.

The rankings news also comes on the heels of the announcement of the largest research grant in the University鈥檚 history which underpins a total of $318-million funding for Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society. The interdisciplinary Connected Minds team will focus on how society can evolve in a socially responsible way with artificial intelligence and disruptive technologies.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful that members of the York community have taken up our University Academic Plan鈥檚 challenge to deepen our contributions to the SDGs with such enthusiasm and dedication,鈥� said Provost and Vice President Academic Lisa Philipps. 鈥淎ddressing inequality and fostering sustainable communities locally and globally are massive challenges that require all of us to act. It鈥檚 exciting to see York recognized as a leader.鈥�  

Since its founding, York has been a university committed to improving access to post-secondary education, and today, more than 11,000 York students are first in their family to attend university. York also provides a broad array of financial supports to our students including the provides financial support for up to 60 qualified undergraduate students who overcome barriers to earn their degree or who have helped others by contributing to the SDGs. 聽聽聽

Home to the , York鈥檚 numerous initiatives toward No Poverty are reflected by a strong standing in SDG 1. York鈥檚 ranking in SDG 10 toward Reduced Inequalities encompasses a wide range of initiatives that demonstrate leadership both at home and around the world, including the recently launched聽Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy, the first such plan to incorporate decolonization in a meaningful way.聽

York鈥檚 recognized strength in water research is helping to define the University鈥檚 contributions to many SDGs, including SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. In March 2023, York was named academic lead in the UN鈥檚 new global Water Academy, which focuses on delivering innovative training and building human capacities on pressing water-related issues worldwide.

OneWATER, York's Organized Research Unit, is dedicated to research and discovery of strategic, integrated solutions to water challenges faced by communities in Canada and around the world. Led by an accomplished executive team, the researchers also have a key role in the delivery of the UN Water Academy. York researchers are also supporting humanitarian field workers in refugee camps with new tools that help ensure refugees can access clean water.

While much of the University鈥檚 ranking on SDG 11 can be attributed to advancing work with a global impact, the York community has made numerous contributions to sustainability in the local community. This year, as part of Earth Month and sponsored by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Youth Climate Report, 214 trees were planted across the Keele and Glendon campuses. York is also partnering with auto magnate Frank Stronach to transform the University鈥檚 campuses into a living lab for the next generation of electric vehicles known as the (Safe, Affordable, Reliable, Innovative Transit).聽

Having recently appointed its first Chief Sustainability Officer, the University is moving ahead with ambitious sustainability plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. York also recently celebrated its 11th consecutive year as one of Canada鈥檚 Greenest Employers for 2023.

Recognizing that each of us has a role to play in creating a better future for our planet, York recently launched the free Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living, an innovative and interdisciplinary open access program that gives participants the opportunity to learn from six of York鈥檚 world-renowned academic experts on a diverse range of topics related to sustainability. To earn a first-of-its-kind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living, participants must pledge to make positive sustainability-focused changes in their daily lives.

To learn more about how the 快播视频 community is advancing the SDGs, read the annual report at yorku.ca/unsdgs.

The post 快播视频 named as one of the world鈥檚 leading universities in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings appeared first on News@York.

The post How SARIT vehicles are helping the environment and tips for sustainable living appeared first on News@York.

Environmental experts invite the public to learn and commit to be more eco-friendly, and earn a digital badge, all for free

TORONTO, April 21, 2023 鈥� There鈥檚 a good chance that you may have eaten some plastic today. It is also possible you did not realize disasters like wildfires, hurricanes and ice storms aren鈥檛 very 鈥渘atural鈥� at all. To create awareness about such issues and to bring to public attention the effects of our actions on the environment, 快播视频 has produced a free microlecture series. What better time than Earth Month to learn about the environment and make a commitment to lead a more sustainable life?

The innovative and interdisciplinary open-access program, Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living, gives participants the opportunity to learn from six of York鈥檚 world-renowned academic experts including engineering ; environmental studies civil engineering ; disaster and emergency management ; and biology ; and equity studies have covered the following topics that relate to our everyday impact on the environment:

• how microplastics journey through and impact our ecosystems
• the relationship between energy and economic growth
• why the most vulnerable amongst us often face the highest flooding risks
• the difference between a hazard and a disaster in context of emergency management
• how colonialism has impacted the way disasters impact Indigenous communities
• why our lakes are rapidly warming

After completing the Microlecture Series, correctly answering knowledge-check questions, and committing to putting these learnings into practice, participants will be recognized with a first-of-its-kind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living 鈥� becoming 鈥楽ustainable Living Ambassadors.鈥� Offered by York鈥檚 Research and Innovation Division, the digital badge can be added to LinkedIn or other social media to serve as a powerful tool for challenging others to do their part.

The post What on Earth are you doing? Become a sustainable living ambassador, urge 快播视频 experts appeared first on News@York.

The post Pollinator health, spring planting tips and why bee conservation is important appeared first on News@York.

快播视频 legal expert co-authored report analyzing research from three African countries and Canada, highlights benefit of grassroots support in addressing global justice crisis

TORONTO, April 21, 2023 鈥� Community legal clinics, paralegal services, social workers and others assisting those who cannot easily access legal help, are a few ways of narrowing the gap in accessing justice that鈥檚 prevalent across the globe, says 快播视频 legal expert , co-author of a new international report released today.

The report, , is a review of recent studies conducted by researchers in Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Canada, to understand how effective grassroots support systems are in alleviating, if not eliminating, barriers to justice.

is part of Community-Based Justice Research (CBJR) project, funded by Canada鈥檚 International Development Research Centre. The Canadian Forum on Civil Justice (CFCJ), based at Osgoode Hall Law School at 快播视频, played a lead role in co-ordinating the project.

According to Farrow, associate dean of research at Osgoode, the inaccessibility of legal services is a common issue, be it in Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Canada, or rest of the world. In fact, the United Nations has identified access to justice as a global crisis that 鈥� through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 鈥� requires collective efforts and shared solutions, continues Farrow.

According to earlier research from the CFCJ, approximately 50 per cent of adult Canadians will experience a legal problem in any given three-year period. 鈥淟ike the rest of the world, there is an access-to-justice crisis in Canada,鈥� notes Farrow, who also serves as chair of the CFCJ. 鈥淟aw and legal issues are everywhere, but very few people can afford legal help.鈥�

Grassroots-level support can help change this situation for the better, says CFCJ Senior Research Fellow Ab Currie, who also co-authored the report.

鈥淕etting access to trained social workers at drop-in shelters, support workers at community centres, paralegals, religious advisors and many others who work and interact with people where and when they most need help, are primary goals and benefits of community-based justice,鈥� explains Farrow. 鈥淭he core idea is to find ways to get legal services and law-related help to people in the places that they live and work, and to identify 鈥� and ideally avoid 鈥� legal problems or to help address them before they get worse.鈥�

鈥淕enerally, there鈥檚 a benefit to having these services in the community and the recent research indicates that the cost-benefit analysis is positive for these community justice services,鈥� he adds. 鈥淭here are also non-financial benefits of trust, access and awareness when it comes to supporting local help for local communities.鈥�

South African researcher Busiwana Winne Martins, of the Centre for Community Justice, agrees. 鈥淏ecause support workers are close to the community, they understand their problems and socio-economic conditions,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey share the same geographic space and culture and can negotiate plural legal systems and determine how to straddle the formal law and traditional African customary law.鈥�

People who work in the grassroots justice structures, especially community-based paralegals, are able to translate difficult legal and bureaucratic language into frames that local people can understand and help them to resolve their justice issues, she adds.

Farrow agrees that managing problems within a community and with the help of community members, is often simpler, quicker and allows for community values and interests to be present in the process. 鈥淐ommunity justice initiatives can provide exciting opportunities for innovative and inclusive problem-solving that allows for important justice options and strategies,鈥� he notes.

To help solve the access-to-justice crisis, Farrow concludes, 鈥渃ommunity-based justice provides significant and exciting opportunities for meaningful assistance 鈥� in addition to numerous other options and processes, including strong legal institutions.鈥�

With the addition of access-to-justice to the United Nations SDGs, calling on all nations to work toward equal access by 2030 is a significant move and driver for action, according to the report.

The post International report explores community legal services for better access to justice appeared first on News@York.

The new free microlecture series aims for a more sustainable future

With microplastics in our food, increasing risk of human-made disasters, and ongoing disruptions to ways of life in northern and Indigenous communities, the effects of climate change and environmental devastation are rapidly becoming more evident, widespread and intense. It鈥檚 more important than ever for communities and individuals to take action.

快播视频 has created a powerful resource in the quest for a better future 鈥� offering a chance to not just learn about sustainability, but to make a difference on an individual level and inspire others to take tangible actions towards a more sustainable world.

The new Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living is a free, open access program that gives participants the opportunity to learn from six of York鈥檚 world-renowned academic experts on a diverse range of topics related to sustainability.

Thanks to its innovative 鈥渕icrolecture鈥� format, in less than an hour participants can learn how microplastics journey through and impact our ecosystems, unravel the relationship between energy and economic growth, explore why the most vulnerable amongst us often face the highest flooding risks, discover the difference between a hazard and a disaster in the context of emergency management, consider how colonialism has impacted the way disasters affect Indigenous communities, and dive into the reasons our lakes are rapidly warming.

鈥淓ach of us has a role to play in creating a better future for our planet, and transitioning to a cleaner, just and more prosperous planet needs to be both an immediate priority and a sustained effort,鈥� says 快播视频's President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. 鈥淭he Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living helps to foster a culture of collaboration and gives us the tools and knowledge to make a difference.鈥�

快播视频 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton and biology professor Sapna Sharma join Devo and Dawn live on Breakfast Television to discuss the climate crisis and York鈥檚 new Microlecture Series.

Participants are tasked with making positive, sustainability-focused changes in their daily lives based on tips from each professor. For those who complete the series, correctly answer test questions and commit to putting their learnings into practice, a first-of-its-kind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living 鈥� which can be added to social media such as LinkedIn 鈥� will recognize their commitment to environmental responsibility and serve as a powerful tool for challenging others to do their part.

After earning their badge, participants become Sustainable Living Ambassadors, prepared to inspire others in their own communities to make small changes that can have a big impact.

Global challenges like climate change represent critical inflection points in society, and the collective response will determine the future wellbeing of people and the planet. 快播视频 recognizes the important role academic institutions play in convening people and ideas for meaningful action.

By making the Microlecture Series freely available not only to its own students and community but to all who want to join the movement for a more sustainable world, 快播视频 is showing its commitment to driving positive change and empowering individuals to take urgent action.

鈥淏y working together and taking small steps, we can achieve great things and build a world that is more sustainable for generations to come.鈥� 

Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, 快播视频

The desire to build a more sustainable future and mitigate the threats facing people and the Earth underscores York鈥檚 core values and goals, and the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living is just one of many ways 快播视频 is bringing its Sustainability Action Commitment to life.

York鈥檚 top 35 ranking among universities worldwide on the Times Higher Education鈥檚 Impact Ranking recognizes the university鈥檚 steadfast commitment to right the future. Along with the recent announcement of ambitious new goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2049 or sooner, York is expanding its sustainability office and leveraging education, research and partnerships at the local and global level to explore transformative solutions to the broad range of issues impacting the sustainability of our world.

Through the university鈥檚 efforts to educate and inspire the next generation of change-makers, York continues to establish itself as a sustainability leader in the Canadian post-secondary education sector.

The post 快播视频 drives positive change, empowers individuals to act appeared first on News@York.

TORONTO, March 14, 2023 - 快播视频 is committed to purposeful words and deeds that demonstrate its longstanding values. Today, President Rhonda Lenton announced that Mike Layton will join York as its first Chief Sustainability Officer, a key role in advancing the University鈥檚 commitment to sustainability and building capacity to implement bold new actions and initiatives.

Focused squarely on delivering York鈥檚 ambitious academic plan, the University has been bolstering its position as a leader in creating a more sustainable and inclusive world in recent years, ranking at 33^rd in the world on the 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for contributions towards the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

A former Toronto City Councillor, York alum, and long-time champion of sustainability, Layton brings two decades of professional experience 鈥� and a lifetime of lived experience in advancing positive changes that contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world. In this new role, Layton will lead York鈥檚 Office of Sustainability, building on York鈥檚 strong track record. He will play a pivotal role in developing the University鈥檚 new Sustainability Strategy building on existing strengths and driving new initiatives through the University鈥檚 million-dollar Sustainability Innovation Fund.

"There is no more pressing global priority than the need to embrace a more sustainable way of living, and Mike Layton has spent his career focused on initiatives that do just that. He is an excellent fit to lead this critical work, and I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to Mike as he steps into this new leadership role,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor.

鈥淵ork has a strong record of leading sustainability on campus, in its teaching and research, and in the work of their faculty, staff, students and alumni.鈥� said Mike Layton. 鈥淭here has never been a more urgent time for us to take action on environmental, economical and social sustainability and I 鈥檓 excited to join the 快播视频 community to advance our shared values and vision.鈥�

鈥淭hrough our teaching, our research and our own practices, York is contributing to our understanding of sustainability best practices which are as much about what we do as what we are purposely choosing not to do. At the same time, we know that more needs to be done, so adding sustainability capacity within the University is a big step in that direction,鈥� Lenton said.

The University continues to strengthen its contributions to a sustainable future through innovative academic programs and research including York as Living Lab projects, our Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, our commitment to carbon net zero and our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investment Strategy that is achieving increasingly more sustainable investments.

The post 快播视频 announces inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer appeared first on News@York.

The post A powerful new educational series on the climate crisis and sustainability appeared first on News@York.

New microlecture series features world-renowned academic experts

TORONTO, March 7, 2023 鈥� Canada鈥檚 third-largest university is building on its strong track record and bolstering its position as a leader in creating positive change toward a more sustainable and inclusive world, with the launch of a free, open-access Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living.

Designed to inspire people around the world to take tangible sustainability-focused actions, the Microlecture Series is the latest example of how 快播视频 is living its longstanding values of social justice, equity, and sustainability. Thanks to its innovative format, in less than an hour anyone can learn from six of York鈥檚 world-renowned academic experts on a diverse range of topics. Participants are then tasked with making positive, sustainability-focused changes in their daily lives based on tips from each professor. The six microlectures cover:

• how microplastics journey through and impact our ecosystems
• the relationship between energy and economic growth
• why the most vulnerable amongst us often face the highest flooding risks
• the difference between a hazard and a disaster in context of emergency management
• how colonialism has impacted the way disasters impact Indigenous communities
• why our lakes are rapidly warming

鈥淭hese global challenges are critical inflection points in society and our response to them will irrevocably determine the future wellbeing of people and the planet,鈥� says 快播视频 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton.

At York, we recognize the importance of convening people and ideas for meaningful action, and this Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living is an example of that in practice.

快播视频 President and Vice Chancellor Rhonda Lenton

After completing the Microlecture Series, correctly answering test questions, and committing to putting their learnings into practice, participants will be recognized with a first-of-its-kind Digital Badge in Sustainable Living, becoming 鈥楽ustainable Living Ambassadors.鈥� Offered by York鈥檚 Research and Innovation Division, the digital badge can be added to LinkedIn to serve as a powerful tool for challenging others to do their part.

鈥淏y offering a chance to not just learn about sustainability, but to make a difference and inspire others, the Microlecture Series is a powerful resource in our collective quest for a better future,鈥� says 快播视频鈥檚 Vice-President of Research and Innovation, Amir Asif.

York鈥檚 vision is to offer a broad demographic of students access to a high-quality university, that is research intensive and that is committed to driving positive change. At the centre of the University Academic Plan, is a challenge to elevate York鈥檚 contributions to the United Nation鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals. The University is ranked 33rd in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for contributions to advancing the SDGs.

Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach, York originally launched the first of the microlectures titled 鈥淭he Macro Problem with Microplastics鈥� last year as part of a physical installation on York鈥檚 Keele and Glendon Campuses. This Microlecture Series is one of the tangible outcomes of the University鈥檚 Sustainability Action Commitment, recently announced by Lenton. It includes ambitious new goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2049, or sooner, pledging $1 million to support sustainable innovation and expand York鈥檚 sustainability office, as well as the hiring of a Chief Sustainability Officer.

鈥淲e have an opportunity to redefine how we interact with the planet, to explore transformative solutions to mitigate the threats facing people and the Earth, and to support a more equitable and sustainable world,鈥� Lenton concludes.  鈥淚 look forward to seeing our Sustainable Living Ambassadors inspiring others in their own communities to make small changes that can inspire positive change and have a big impact.鈥�

-30-

About 快播视频

快播视频 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact:

Barbara Joy, 快播视频 Media Relations, 416-333 3374, barbjoy@yorku.ca

The post 快播视频 launches powerful resource to inspire action towards a greener future appeared first on News@York.

The post 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW: 快播视频 No. 1 GTA university and No. 33 worldwide in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings appeared first on News@York.