Promoted by CRUI – The Conference of Italian University Rectors – since July 2016, the Italian Network of Universities for Sustainable Development (RUS) mark the first experience of information sharing and coordination among all Italian Universities committed to the topic of environmental sustainability and social responsibility. 84 universities take part so far in the network, and Polimi has been among the first.
The main goal of RUS is to spread the culture of sustainability, both within and outside Universities, by sharing skills and experiences. The aim is to increase the positive impact in terms of environmental, ethical, social and economic actions, which are currently implemented by each university, in order to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
The Universities Network for Sustainable Development – has set up thematic Working Groups, reserved for members of the Network, that focus on topics considered of the utmost importance to achieve the institutional objectives of the RUS. The Working Groups are: Climate Change, Food, Education, Energy, Inclusion and Social Justice, Mobility, Resources and Waste, Universities for Industry
All the Working Groups are autonomous in their internal organisation, and they periodically report their activities to the Coordination Committee.
The General Assembly is composed of the legal representatives of the member Universities or their delegates and it is chaired by the President of the Coordination Committee. For the period 2022-2024, the President of the Coordinating Committee is Prof. Patrizia Lombardi, Deputy Rector of Politecnico di Torino.