A consensus statement seeks to deepen strategic perspectives on the evolving role of higher education as a trusted, transformative societal actor in advancing just, inclusive, and sustainable development to activate new ways of addressing the societal challenges of our time. Framed by the Second World Summit for Social Development’s (WSSD2) call for effective multilateralism, social cohesion, and whole-of-society approaches, the consensus outlines how higher education can serve as a bridge across the knowledge–policy–society interfaces.
Based on this framing, this WSSD2 side event will showcase some multistakeholder collaboration on the following cross-cutting instruments outlined in the World Social Summit draft political declaration: multistakeholder solutions in
quality education and life-long learning,
technology and artificial intelligence, and
innovations in finance to advance social development worldwide.
The event builds on the outcomes of the Global Higher Education Symposium (GHES) convened at United Nations Headquarters during the High-Level Political Forum in July 2025, organized by UN Academic Impact, the SDSN, International Science Council (ISC), International Association of Universities (IAU), UNESCO, UNITAR, York University, the Government of Ireland SDG Champion, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, and the UN Major Group for Children and Youth.