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  6. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals

Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy

Università IULM has direct involvement and input into national government and regional non-government organisations SDG policy development, identifying problems and challenges, developing policies and strategies, modelling likely futures with and without interventions, monitoring and reporting on interventions, and enabling adaptive management.
This engagement is formally anchored in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which recognises institutional partnerships as a key driver for sustainability, inclusion, and global citizenship.

Collaboration with national and international government organisations

  • FAO – Strategic Partnership for Sustainability Communication
    IULM signed a strategic partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to support global policy initiatives through research, training, and outreach within the World Food Forum.
    The partnership advances sustainability communication, responsible consumption, and environmental literacy, aligning academic expertise with international policy frameworks on food systems and climate action.
  • UNHCR and the Ministry of University and Research (MUR)
    IULM endorsed the UNHCR “Manifesto for Inclusive Universities”, coordinated by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the UN Refugee Agency, contributing to national guidelines on inclusion and access to higher education for refugees and asylum seekers — directly supporting SDGs 4 and 10.
  • UNESCO – Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
    By joining the UNESCO Manifesto for the Decade of Ocean Science, IULM promotes ocean literacy and marine sustainability across the Italian higher education system, contributing to SDG 14 and reinforcing environmental awareness through education and communication.
  • Ministry of Environment and Energy Security – COP28 (Dubai)
    At COP28, Professor Stefania Romenti, Rector’s Delegate for Sustainability, represented IULM at the Italian Pavilion coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.
    She delivered the talk “Strategic Communication for Climate Action”, emphasising youth engagement and intergenerational dialogue as key elements of effective sustainability governance.
  • Ministry of Education and Merit – Linguistic Inclusion Policy
    In September 2024, IULM hosted the Roundtables on Arabic Language Education in Italy, organised with the Ministry of Education and Merit and Qatar Foundation International (QFI), to develop policy pathways for linguistic inclusion and intercultural dialogue in Italian schools.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI)
    During the Italian Cuisine Week in the World 2024, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), Professor Vincenzo Russo, Director of the Brain & Behavior Lab, delivered the seminar “The Taste of the Mind: Where Science and Cooking Meet” at Sultan Qaboos University, highlighting sustainable food systems and Mediterranean Diet education.
  • RUS and RuniPace Networks
    IULM is a member of both the RUS – Rete delle Università per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile and RuniPace – Italian University Network for Peace, coordinated by the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI).
    Through these networks, IULM contributes to national policy frameworks for sustainability governance, peace education, and SDG monitoring.
  • Italian Carabinieri Command (Arma dei Carabinieri)
    In January 2024, IULM formalised a national agreement with the Arma dei Carabinieri to deliver joint training and seminars on institutional communication, public information, and crisis management — reinforcing transparency and trust in public institutions.

Collaboration with regional and civil-society organisations

Complementing its institutional role, IULM collaborates with regional administrations, foundations, and civic associations to translate academic research into actionable sustainability policies.

  • EXPO Doha – “Exploring Eco-Consciousness” Congress
    The Exploring Eco-Consciousness Congress, organised by IULM research centres CIMASC and the Brain & Behavior Lab under the patronage of regional institutions, explored environmental communication and behavioural science for sustainability.
    The event provided policy recommendations for local governments and practitioners on promoting ecological awareness and civic responsibility.
  • Milano Green Week 2024 – PlasticFree Cleanup Initiative
    On 28 September 2024, IULM partnered with the NGO PlasticFree for a large-scale cleanup in Affori Centro as part of the Milano Green Week, the City of Milan’s sustainability festival.
    The initiative engaged students, staff, and citizens in removing plastic waste from urban spaces, helping to reduce pollution and protect urban biodiversity.
    By participating in this initiative, IULM directly contributed to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through tangible civic engagement and environmental stewardship.
  • Moleskine Foundation – Creative Education for Sustainability
    IULM collaborates with the Moleskine Foundation to foster creativity and social innovation among young people through educational programmes that connect sustainability, art, and inclusion.

Through its multi-level collaborations with ministries, UN agencies, embassies, regional authorities, and civil-society organisations, Università IULM actively supports policy co-creation, monitoring, and implementation of the SDGs.
By connecting research, education, and institutional partnerships, IULM strengthens Italy’s capacity for evidence-based sustainability governance, fostering dialogue among academia, government, and society in pursuit of the UN 2030 Agenda.