Goal #17

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

UN SDG Icon 17 for Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

UNSW is committed to this goal and demonstrates its commitment through:

  • national and international partnerships with governments, universities and broader stakeholders on research and innovation
  • education and development projects that focus on outcome-based sustainable development worldwide
  • being an anchor institution in our local community,  respecting our ancient past as we partner with First Nations communities and peoples.
Elderly women sat on the porch of a wooden house above a rice field
UNSW Institute for Global Development logo

The Institute for Global Development (IGD) has established numerous education and research partnerships since 2016, creating new student and institutional research opportunities working with partners and communities in developing countries. With local and international partners, the IGD co-creates knowledge and translates research findings into changes that matter: generating sustainable and equitable futures for people around the world, and together working towards achieving the SDGs.

 

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The Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre

The CRC partners leading Australian universities like UNSW with industry and government bodies to deliver science and technology solutions that contribute to the sustainability, nutritional performance and value-creation capability of the food sector.

“Investment in high-tech, sustainable regional agrifood systems, co-located with rapid freight hubs, is central to reaping the rewards presented by domestic and Asian markets for value-added, provenance-protected healthy foods. Not just new technology but new partnerships, business models and true customer focus is key to future growth in our industry.”  

Fiona Simson, Chair, Future Food Systems CRC 

The PLuS Alliance combines the strengths of three leading research universities on three continents – Arizona State University, King’s College London and UNSW Sydney – to solve global challenges and increase access to world-class higher education in high-need areas.

PLuS Alliance logo

Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) is a collaborative venture between four Sydney Universities, including UNSW, and numerous state and federal government departments. SIMS provides a wealth of infrastructure for the Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation's (CMB) marine activities, enabling researchers to use molecular tools in more realistic contexts in the marine environment. 

The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) is an independent, Australian NGO affiliated with UNSW committed to advancing human rights and empowering civil society in the Asia Pacific region through quality education and training, and the building of skills and capacity in non-governmental organisations and for individual human rights defenders and community advocates. 

Partnerships are central to the work of the UNSW School of Education and we place immense value on our collaborative working relationships with a range of key partners, including Australian and international universities, schools, teachers, principals, professional organisations and the wider community served by our university. We are continually seeking ways to extend our collaborative work with existing partners and to develop mutually beneficial and productive relationships with new partners.

The NUW Alliance comprises four leading Australian research-intensive universities – the University of Newcastle, UNSW, the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University. The mission of the NUW Alliance is to seek out the big collaborations that make a difference, collaborations that unlock new value, impact and benefit for our communities across NSW.

Yuwaya Ngarra-li is a community-led partnership between the Dharriwaa Elders Group and UNSW to improve the wellbeing, social, built and physical environment and life pathways of Aboriginal people in Walgett through collaborating on evidence-based initiatives, research and capacity building. 

Community at UNSW is one of the cornerstones of our mission. We wish to make an impact on contemporary issues by being recognised as a key source of expertise in local communities, ensuring vibrant and growing partnerships with industry and community organisations, and developing and maintaining highly valued relationships with alumni, former staff and UNSW supporters.

Many campus events are proudly supported by Randwick Council, and UNSW is a major sponsor of Randwick District Rugby Union Football Club. There is also a variety of on-campus programs and services available to students, staff and the local community.

The Volunteers United operates as an entry-level opportunity for students seeking to increase their social impact by connecting them with volunteering opportunities and fostering student engagement with the wider community. In 2020 11,479 hours were volunteered and many students participated in the new initiative Cards With Care which focused on community outreach and delivered 446 messages to the elderly or at-risk.

UNSW is a foundation member of the USRN, a network established in 2015, bringing together a group of thought leaders to exchange ideas, resources, practices of varied scope and scale to steer global discussion and development of university social responsibility in higher education. The network has 19 member institutions with wide geographic spread, leading universities in their countries dedicated to working together to addressing the economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges in the world.

UNSW is a signatory institution of the Talloires Declaration, ‘the first official statement made by university presidents, chancellors, and rectors of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education. The Talloires Declaration (TD) is a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities. It has been signed by over 500 university leaders in over 50 countries.’

The Institute of Global Finance (IGF) works closely with organisations across the world, including the Volatility & Risk Institute at NYU Stern Business School, major regional research centres in the Asia-Pacific, and financial industry bodies and regulators.These collaborative relationships produce research, joint publications, policy events and engagements on issues related to global prosperity, financial stability, governance and systemic risk. The resulting insight and knowledge from these activities help to inform and maintain global financial stability, sustainable economic growth and global prosperity.

UNSW Global Water Institute

Sea pollution, plastic floating under water

World leader in water research, innovation and problem solving. The Institute draws on water expertise across UNSW to create the Nation’s most advanced water knowledge hub.

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The Kirby Institute

Produced by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), this highly magnified, digitally colorized scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image, revealed ultrastructural details at the site of interaction of numerous yellow colored, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) viral particles, located on the surface of a Vero E6 cell, which had been colorized blue

Leading global research institute dedicated to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.Their research projects are conducted in partnership with communities most affected by epidemics.

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International Universities Climate Alliance

Forestry activities in Tasmania, Australia

UNSW-led International Universities Climate Alliance has a membership of about 58 universities globally and its mandate is to amplify university research via global communication, to influence policy makers and counter misinformation in the public.

 

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Torch Innovation Partnerships

Torch Innovation Partnerships bring together industry representatives, small to medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from around the world to the UNSW campus. Between 2016 and 2019, this resulted in $76M worth of contracts.

 

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang & Former Australian PM, Malcolm Turnbull
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang & Former Australian PM, Malcolm Turnbull

UNSW Strategy in Action 2025

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UNSW 2025 Strategy Update

This document celebrates the key achievements of the first phase of the 2025 Strategy, highlighting where we have come from and where we are now. It also updates the framework against which we will assess, track and measure existing and new strategic initiatives over the next five years.

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UNSW Annual Reports

Informing, engaging and leading through critical thinking, evidence and debate.

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UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2020-2021 Report

This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs over the years 2020-2021.

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