Queen’s University is joining the Blue Universities network, an international group of post-secondary institutions committed to advancing sustainable water stewardship.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane is set to affirm Queen’s membership at a signing ceremony open to all.

As a member of the network, Queen’s commits to recognizing water and sanitation as human rights, educating its community about those rights, and putting them into practice through research, teaching, advocacy, campus programs, and co-generated work with First Nations.  

These commitments align with the university's dedication to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which has landed Queen’s in the global top ten of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings for six consecutive years.

“Universities have a responsibility to connect what they teach and study with how they operate and engage with their communities,” says Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “Becoming a Blue Community University builds on goals the university has been advancing through the Queen’s Strategy and carries that work forward as we begin the long-term task of realizing our Bicentennial Vision by deepening our connections with communities close to home and around the world.”

The university's membership also creates new opportunities to align its water stewardship efforts with the City of Kingston. The city has been part of the Blue Communities network since 2011 and reaffirmed its membership in 2019. With Queen's joining the Blue Universities cluster of the movement, the two institutions can explore new areas of shared interest and opportunities to work together.

Join the official signing event and celebration

Queen’s will celebrate its membership with a public signing ceremony at Breakwater Park, near the Gord Downie Pier, on September 17, from 4 to 5:30 pm. Principal Deane will sign a certificate presented by Maude Barlow, founder of the Blue Community movement, and both will share remarks. Alexander Wong-Ma, Alma Mater Society's (AMS) Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability, and David McDonald, Professor of Global Development Studies, will also speak.  

A large tent will provide shelter in case of rain, and food will be served. In keeping with Queen's commitment to reducing waste, the event will use compostable materials and provide multi-sort recycling and organics bins with visual guides.  

The event is open to students, staff, faculty, and members of the wider community. Attendees are also invited to jump in Lake Ontario after the signing. Find full details on the event page.