PROMOTE SUSTAINED, INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH, FULL AND PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYEMENT AND DECENT WORK FOR ALL
SDG 8 relates to sustaining economic growth in a fair and inclusive manner. This includes goals for full and productive employment, access to financial services and development-oriented policies, global resource efficiency, and others. SDG 8 is reflected in the University of Waterloo’s efforts to provide students with work experience and support members of the campus community in advancing their professional growth.
Work-Learn Institute
The Work-Learn Institute is the only institute in the world dedicated to research on co-operative education and other forms of work-integrated learning. It was founded in 2002 on the basis that, with the largest co-operative education program in the world, they have the largest dataset to study, understand, and continue to advance its practice. The Institute has also begun mapping how student work experiences map to the SDGs as a way of reflecting societal impact.
Organizational and Human Development
The Organizational and Human Development department is committed to advancing and supporting the personal and professional growth of University of Waterloo employees to reach their highest potential. Their mission is accomplished by creating innovative learning opportunities, cultivating collaborative partnerships, and engaging the campus community in lifelong learning.
St. Paul’s GreenHouse
GreenHouse is a social impact incubator that offers programs, opportunities and a community for students to develop problem solving skills, to form innovative ideas and make new forms of sustainable impact around social or environmental change. In partnership with St. Paul’s University College, GreenHouse also hosts the Indigenous entrepreneurship training programs based on models of Indigenized business education and experiential learning.
Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience
The Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience (WISIR) is committed to generating inter-disciplinary knowledge about the social innovation process in Canada and internationally — particularly the dynamics of learning, adaptation, and innovation for sustainable development. Recent WISIR activities include the incubation of the Turtle Island Institute, the Waterloo Affordable Housing Living Lab, and the Legacy Leadership Lab in support of small business conversions into social purpose organizations.
Sustainability Certificate
Waterloo’s Sustainability Certificate program is offered primarily to employees by Waterloo's Sustainability Office. The certificate builds upon the University's Environmental Sustainability Strategy's goal of embedding sustainability actions into campus culture. It recognizes that all employees have a role to play in building a sustainable campus.
