Pace University is expanding its efforts to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through faculty research, institutional strategies, and student initiatives. These activities aim to create measurable outcomes in sustainable development.
A recently published book, “Pathways to Sustainable Development,” edited by Narinder Kakar of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law and Anna Shostya from Dyson College, gathers perspectives from global scholars and practitioners. The volume addresses priorities within the UN Common Agenda and presents strategies for environmental governance, inclusive economic and social growth, and multilateral cooperation. The conclusion of the book reiterates a definition from the Brundtland Commission: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” It also emphasizes: “We have not inherited the Earth from our ancestors, we have borrowed it from our children.”
The university’s approach is built on three pillars: economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. Pace faculty are applying their research to policy frameworks, curriculum design, and campus programs that address issues such as climate resilience, access to education, affordable healthcare, and other long-term challenges.
Universities globally are positioned to shape sustainability strategies. In January 2026 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Pace President Marvin Krislov was invited as the only U.S. university leader on a panel at the World University Leaders seminar. He joined international peers to discuss how universities can lead in global governance related to SDGs.
At Davos, Krislov stated that universities can act beyond political or market pressures. He said academic freedom, interdisciplinary research, and student involvement are key in shaping sustainable policies. Krislov added that institutional alignment is necessary so that classroom values are reflected in operations and partnerships. He also recognized faculty contributions, student leadership efforts, and civic engagement across Pace.
This commitment is seen in Pace’s increasing participation in the Millennium Fellowship program coordinated by United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network. In 2026, 34 students were selected—the largest group from Pace so far—from more than 60,000 applicants representing 130 countries worldwide.
These fellows are leading projects on topics such as gender-based violence prevention, food systems improvement, mental health support, refugee assistance, educational access expansion, and environmental justice initiatives. Participants include students from all five colleges at Pace: Dyson College of Arts and Sciences; Lubin School of Business; School of Education; Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems; and College of Health Professions.
One group called Blue CoLab is collaborating with Häme University of Applied Sciences in Finland on a proposal supporting SDG 6—Clean Water and Sanitation. They are developing a case for a global right-to-know standard on water quality which will be presented at the United Nations in Fall 2026.
Through these efforts involving research collaboration and student leadership programs like Millennium Fellowship https://www.millenniumfellows.org/, Pace University continues to contribute toward achieving goals set out in the UN’s 2030 Agenda while helping define higher education’s role in building a more sustainable future.
