Realizing the Bicentennial Vision requires us to think boldly about the future and the role ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ can play in addressing the world’s most pressing issues. Becoming a Blue University reflects that commitment. By strengthening our leadership in water stewardship, we advance a vision of a university that is deeply connected to its communities, globally engaged, and dedicated to creating positive impact for generations to come.
Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor
2026
Queen's joins the international network
On September 17, Principal Patrick Deane officially affirmed Queen's membership in the company of the founder of the Blue Community movement, . Queen's is the ninth post-secondary institution in Canada and 23rd worldwide to formally pledge to advance sustainable water stewardship through this international organization.
Learn more about the launchºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ is committed to:
Recognize water and sanitation as human rights, as per the United Nations’ Declaration, and educate the ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ community about these rights
Urge ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ community members to advocate for sustainable water and sanitation policies, giving particular attention to the rights of marginalized groups, communities and individuals as they relate to the Sustainable Development Goals
Promote publicly financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services
Ban the sale of bottled water at university-owned venues and sponsored events, and educate ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ community members on how to avoid using bottled water where safe tap water exists
Encourage the responsible use of tap water on campus through capital improvements and programming
Promote inter-disciplinary research and teaching on water and sanitation related topics
Work with First Nations to develop co-generated research, teaching and action on water and sanitation matters of significance to their communities.
Living next to Lake Ontario grants Queen's many privileges. It also brings with it a responsibility to better understand the world’s largest freshwater system. Becoming a Blue University forces us to address questions related to water and sanitation and to expand our research, education, and advocacy on these issues. We have strengths in this area already but we now have the opportunity to expand and institutionalize these commitments, locally and internationally.
David McDonald, Global Development Studies
2026
Located at the eastern end of the Great Lakes and at the head of the St. Lawrence River, Kingston is connected to a vast freshwater system containing about 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. In recognition of this, the City of Kingston has been affiliated with Blue Communities since 2011, and reaffirmed its membership in 2019.
Being situated along the waterfront, Queen's has a unique opportunity to foster learning, research, and engagement with the water that flows past campus.
Many of the goals represented by the Blue Universities network are shared by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Queen's dedication to the UN SDGs contributes greatly to the university’s social impact and makes a tangible difference in the lives of others. Learn more on the SDGs at Queen's page.
