SDSN Announces Launch of Higher Education Component of the Groundbreaking Ages of Globalization Course Led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs
New York, New York (February 3, 2026) — The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) is pleased to announce the launch of Ages of Globalization. This live, ten-session higher education course builds on the Ages of Globalization initiative launched in 2024 and will run through April 2026. The course will be led by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the SDSN, University Professor at Columbia University, and one of the world’s leading experts in sustainable development.
Course Overview: The Ages of Globalization
Based on Prof. Sachs’s seminal 2020 book, The Ages of Globalization, this course examines how geographic, technological, and institutional factors have shaped global interconnectedness across history. Drawing on decades of experience in global development, international cooperation, and online teaching through Global Classrooms, Prof. Sachs will connect historical analysis with contemporary challenges.
The course emphasizes interactive, discussion-based learning. All sessions will be held live via Zoom, with cameras on to encourage direct engagement between Prof. Sachs and participants.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) and the SDSN, supported by faculty, researchers, and practitioners at both institutions.
Course Topics
Professor Sachs will guide participants through ten core themes, including:
The Seven Ages of Globalization
Geography
Technology
Institutions
Sustainable Development and the SDGs
Historical Rise of Empires
Western Power Post-1500
Transition from Western Dominance to Multipolarity
The Sustainability Imperative
The New Multilateralism and Sustainable Development to 2050
The series will run from February 3 through April 7, 2026, linking historical developments to contemporary global issues and future pathways.
Participant Experience
Participants will develop the ability to:
Analyze complex sustainability challenges and identify innovative solutions;
Cultivate values of global responsibility and empathy;
Identify actionable pathways for positive change in personal, societal, and political contexts;
And connect with students and lifelong learners across countries and contexts.
All participants are expected to complete assigned readings and actively engage in discussion, and required materials will be available online at no cost.
Cohort Enrollment and Academic Credit
Faculty-led student cohorts are encouraged to enroll and pursue academic credit through their home institutions. Each session includes a one-hour presentation and Q&A with Prof. Sachs, which can be followed by an optional second-hour discussion organized by local faculty— whether on a different day, integrated into another course, or at a time that best suits their schedule. Recordings and resources will be available on the course website.
A self-paced, 28-class-long version of The Ages of Globalization is available for participants seeking advanced preparation and deeper engagement with the course material. Participants can either enroll as a learner or faculty.
Registration
The SDSN invites you to join this transformative learning experience. Registration is now open. The first session will take place on February 3, 2026, at 8:00 AM EST (1:00 PM GMT). Register today and be part of this important journey!
About the Instructor
Prof. Sachs has authored over 25 influential books on global development and has been recognized as one of the World’s Top 100 Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine. Sachs has received 45 honorary doctorates, including recent honors, such as the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development, the Legion of Honor by decree of the President of the Republic of France, and the Order of the Cross from the President of Estonia. He has served as Special Advisor to three United Nations Secretaries General and played a central role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals. As President and founder of the SDSN, he has advised more than 100 countries and numerous international organizations.
Learn More
Ages of Globalization is supported by UNESCO, Hearst Foundations, The Sustainable Tourism Global Center, The SDG Academy, Globe from Home, Compass Education, Young Reporters for the Environment, Subject to Climate, The Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), SDSN Greece, and other partners.
Media Contacts
Katja Anger-Delimi — Education Specialist, Ages of Globalization (English, French, German): katja.anger@unsdsn.org
Helen Perham — Communications Coordinator, SDG Academy (English): helen.perham@unsdsn.org