Clark joins United Nations initiative dedicated to human rights, sustainability

Photo | Brad Kane Clark University in Worcester

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Clark University and its business school have joined 1,700 institutions worldwide working to realize the goals of the United Nations as the Worcester university has joined the UN Academic Impact initiative.

Founded in 2010, UNAI connects institutions of higher education throughout more than 150 countries who support and advance the United Nations’ missions including the promotion and protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability, and conflict resolution, according to the initiative's website.

“Clark University has a long history of working toward a more just and sustainable world,” President David Fithian said in a Tuesday press release. “Joining the UNAI expands our network while we continue to address urgent social, political, and ecological challenges.”

UNAI works by informing institutional stakeholders of UN initiatives and activities, offering insights as to how colleges and universities can implement UN principles into its classrooms and communities. The initiative serves as a network for institutions to collaborate and share ideas on promoting the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals including eliminating poverty and hunger, supporting quality education and gender equality, and access to affordable and clean energy.

UNAI is part of the UN’s Higher Education Sustainability Initiative aimed at strengthening the role of institutions in advancing sustainable development.

Clark’s School of Business pursued the university’s membership with UNAI, according to the release. The university’s school has been involved with the global intergovernmental organization for over a decade as the school of business has been a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education since 2011, an initiative promoting sustainability and safeguarding the planet in business and management education through PRIME’s seven principles including institutional values, curriculum, and research, according to PRIME’s website.

“Our United Nations Academic Impact membership recognizes the work undertaken here at the School of Business in promoting local, national, and international social engagement, and the reputation of Clark University as a whole in driving social initiatives as part of our academic environment,” David Jordan, Clark School of Business dean, said in the press release.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.