Lambton's Student Administrative Council commits to sustainable development goals in historical signing of UN Accord
SARNIA, April 22, 2022 – Lambton College is showing its dedication to the wellness of the local and global communities it serves.
Part of that dedication means recognizing that ending poverty and other deprivations and inequities must accompany the work being done to improve health and education, spur economic growth, preserve the earth, and take action against climate change.
As such, the College has officially committed to following the guidance laid out in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified by the United Nations in a global effort to create a better future for people and communities.
The historical declaration, which saw the College jointly sign the UN Accord in partnership with the Student Administrative Council (SAC) – a Canadian first – took place on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in the College’s Boardroom. Lambton President & CEO Rob Kardas signed on behalf of Lambton College, and Student President Emily Hutchings signed on behalf of SAC.
The digital signing officially recognizes Lambton College and SAC as signatories of the SDG Accord, the university and college sector’s collective response to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The joint signing was championed by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN), and places Lambton among more than 300 postsecondary institutions from around the world in pledging to embed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into their education, research, leadership, operations, administration and engagement activities.
The Accord serves two purposes:
- To inspire, celebrate and advance the critical role that education has in delivering the SDGs and the value it brings to governments, business and wider society.
- The Accord is a commitment learning institutions are making to one another to do more to deliver the goals, to annually report on each signatory's progress, and to do so in ways which share the learning with each other both nationally and internationally.
In celebration of the College’s commitment to being a leader in contributing to positive change for people and the planet, and in recognition of Earth Day on Friday, April 22, free reusable water bottles were given out to members of the Lambton College community.
A video was also created to capture the historical unveiling.
"We extend our gratitude to our conscientious and forward-thinking Student Administrative Council, and our entire College community, as we know we will benefit from everybody’s support as we commit ourselves to making further progress on the 17 goals outlined in the accord,” said Mary Vaughan, Senior Vice-President, Academic & Student Success.