Leadership Council

Terms of Reference

Date:  August 2025 (rev 1)

Background

  • The U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has been operating since 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.

  • The SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.

  • The overarching SDSN Leadership Council brings together global sustainable development leaders from all regions drawn from civil society, public, and private sectors. It acts as the governing board of the global SDSN.

  • Much of the SDSN’s work is led by National or Regional SDSNs, which mobilise ‘knowledge generating institutions’ around the SDGs. As of 2025, SDSN has over 2,000 members in 58 networks across 6 continents.

  • Membership applications for the SDSN are reviewed by the SDSN Networks Team and the Local Managers, then approved by the SDSN Networks Strategy Council.  New members then become aligned with their respective National and/or Regional SDSN(s).

  • SDSN Ireland is an All-Island collaborative network focused on developing context-specific solutions and mobilising localised action to accelerate SDG implementation.  Engaging universities, research centres, NGOs, civil society organisations, local authorities, and national governments. SDSN Ireland brings the latest research to bear on producing solutions for the SDG progress and would seek to empower individuals and organisations to achieve impact through research, education and engagement.

  • In November of 2022, University College Cork and Queen’s University Belfast were approved by the SDSN as co-hosts of the SDSN Ireland, which operates on an All-Island basis. The network was formally launched on 23 February 2023.

  • SDSN Ireland is bound by the By-Laws and Codes of Conduct of the SDSN Association on but is fiscally independent. 

SDSN Ireland Leadership Council Role

  • Advise the membership of SDSN Ireland on how to create and implement solutions for SDG implementation within our local city and county regions, as well as nationally and transnationally.

  • Provide strategic advice on matters related to priority setting and the creation of synergy on initiatives throughout SDSN Ireland and the wider SDSN.

  • Propose and approve the creation of working groups and/or thematic committees that contribute to the implementation of SDSN Ireland initiatives.

  • Recommend and make introductions to enable the building of wider partnerships aimed at co-creating solutions for the SDGs with an All-Island focus.

  • Help to raise the visibility of the network amongst key stakeholders on the island of Ireland.

  • Act as a goodwill ambassador promoting programmes and projects of SDSN Ireland.

  • Ensure that SDSN Ireland is aware of and responds to potential opportunities for the network nationally and internationally.

  • Contribute to the development of a business plan to ensure SDSN Ireland’s long-term viability and impact.

  • SDSN Ireland Leadership Council Composition:

  • The Leadership Council will be co-chaired by the President of University College Cork and the President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast as network co-hosts.

  • The members of the Leadership Council will reflect an All-Island remit and will be based on their experience with and continued commitment to sustainable development leadership. 

  • Members will have diverse backgrounds to provide a cross-sectoral mix of expertise across environmental, social, and economic dimensions of the SDGs.

  • The functions of the members are undertaken on a pro bono basis, for a three-year term with the possibility of renewal for a second three-year term.

  • Additionally, as from October 2025, there will be 3 rotating seats for member institutions allocated based on order of acceptance into SDSN Ireland. HEI seats will rotate on a three-year basis while any NGO seats will be on a two-year basis.

  • Additionally, are 3 rotating seats available for member institutions with specific roles (for example Chairing an SDSN Ireland Thematic Group) serving one-year terms. 

  • Queen’s University Belfast and University College Cork shall hold permanent appointments on the Leadership Council as network co-hosts.

  • Council seats are assigned to organisational posts, not individuals

  • Quorum is based on a simple majority (>50%)

Meeting Frequency

  • Each year the Leadership Council will hold not more than two physical meetings at venues to be discussed and agreed to by the Council.

  • In addition, the Council routinely holds two annual teleconferences to review progress, address strategic questions, and plan for the upcoming year.

Executive Committee: the working subgroup of the Leadership Council which works directly with the network manager on emerging projects and collaborations.

Administrative Support: SDSN Ireland Manager

The Leadership Council, in consultation with the membership, shall review these Terms of Reference at appropriate intervals.