University Museums have the power to educate on Sustainable Development by linking collections to climate/security/ risk issues, fostering critical thinking and creating interactive learning, but may face challenges in integrating sustainability into strategy amidst complex crises. They contribute to Sustainable Development by acting as trusted, interdisciplinary and educational "social laboratories" that may connect cultural/natural heritage to current environmental and security crises. As critical, proactive and resilient hubs, (Resolution 5 on emergency preparedness-Resilience, ICOM Dubai 2025), they may educate on Sustainable Development in contexts facing security and environmental risks by linking local, place-based ecological knowledge with global environmental and social challenges while linking past lessons with future actions, providing actionable knowledge for sustainability in challenging, volatile environments.

To enhance resilience, University Museums need to be ready to face any crisis by strengthening documentation of heritage in all its forms, through up-to-date inventories of their collections, preserved in multiple formats (physical and digital) archived in separate locations to reduce the risk of loss, particularly in the event of natural or human-made disasters (Resolution 2, Protection in times of crisis, ICOM Dubai 2025) and to support systematic documentation of cultural collections. They may assist institutions in countries affected by conflict and environmental disasters in establishing inventories and digital copies, providing technical and expert assistance. 

University Museums’ education on Sustainability may bridge research and action by leveraging academic research to inform public programming, directly educating the public on environmental risks, climate change and providing practical tools for sustainability. Through research-based exhibitions, education and other activities U-Museums foster critical thinking, build resilience against environmental degradation and support peacebuilding (Peace, justice-SDG 16). They can act as mediators, bridging research with public engagement, fostering community resilience against climate crises and environmental risks while managing heritage in and educating for insecure contexts. They may address complex SDGs, aiming to balance urgent, sustainable operational needs with their educational missions. 

Through a place-based & bioregional approach, they can focus on using the local environment and community context as a foundation for education, making sustainability relevant to local security and environmental risks and challenges. In high-risk or insecure areas, University Museums may be adapted by shifting to digital or community-based outreach to continue their mission despite physical security threats or resource scarcity (Resilience and Adaptation-SDG 11). 

•    What is the framework in which cooperation can be developed for advancing the SDGs?How can university museums and collections contribute to the prevention of security, environmental and climate risks?

•    What is the framework in which cooperation can be developed for advancing the SDGs?What are university museums’ strategies for educating on sustainable development before the crisis and in contexts facing security, environmental risks and climate challenges?