On 21-23 March 2018, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel kindly hosted the 8th UNICA GREEN Workshop: Implementation of SDGs in Higher Education.
Prominent keynote speakers shed the light on the SDG policy in Higher Education, practical workshop was held and inspiring good practices from around Europe were shared.
Welcome by Sonja SNACKEN, Vice rector International Policy VUB and by Cathy MACHARIS, President of the Sustainability Core Group VUB
Session 1. Introduction to the SDGs: the historical context, the role of the higher education sector, the critical perspective.
An introduction to a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world – the SDGs framework, by Peter WOLLAERT, Director
of CIFAL Flanders, UNITAR affiliated International Training Centre for Authorities & Leaders
The concept of the SDGs from a critical perspective, by Pieter MEURS & Bieke ABELSHAUSEN, VUB (link to text)
Workshop session by SUSTENUTO, Sustainability management coach for organisations in both the public and private sector (Belgium)
Session 2. SDGs and their implementation in sustainable management policy: should SDGs be the guiding principle for sustainability policy development at higher education institutions? How to report and monitor progress?
The social responsibility of universities, by Caroline PAUWELS, Rector of the VUB
Presentation of the outcomes of the UNICA GREEN Sustainability Survey, by Andreas WANKE, FU Berlin
How can your sustainability reporting become a tool for outreach? By Ullika LUNDGREN, Gothenburg University
Outstandingly Green: from vision to practical strategy, by Jorulf BRØVIG SILDE, University of Oslo
Session 3. SDGs and their implementation in education
Exchange of inspiring practices on SDGs and their implementation in education. Are the SDGs implemented in the curriculum and how (level of content, teaching methods)? How do students achieve the competencies they need to realise the SDGs?
Inventory of research and teaching skills in sustainability, by Delphine DOUCOT, Université de Lausanne
The new area “Sustainable Development” in the General Professional Skills Courses, by Andreas WANKE, Freie Universität Berlin
Social responsibility in education, by Linde MORIAU, VUB
The integration of sustainability in courses and programmes at ULB, by Emilie MUTOMBO, VUB
Interactive session: debating statements based on the keynote presentations
Moderated by Alexandra DEMOUSTIEZ, Emilie MUTOMBO & Wouter ACHTEN, ULB
Session 4. SDGs and the importance of community engagement
World Café on community engagement and stakeholder participation to reach the SDG’s, moderated by Tim STRASSER and Anselm GRAHL, ROOTABILITY, the Network of Green Student Offices
Parallel Workshops
1. Rootability and the Green Office model: presentation and Q&A sessions with Green Office students, by Tim STRASSER and Anselm GRAHL, Rootability
Green Offices: 23 different case studies of Green Offices from 6 countries
2. How to work with students towards global citizenship? Creating partnerships between students and society. How to go beyond?, by Bram CLEYS, UCOS, University Center for Development Cooperation
3. Green Impact as a tool for sustainable change: What is Green Impact and how does the Green Team of VUB make it work at the university?, by Jo KEMP, NUS and Anne SPIRA, Rootability, and GreenTeamVUB
The Workshop was mainly aimed at Sustainaibility/Environmental coordinators, Vice-Rectors responsible for the implementation of institutional sustainability strategy from UNICA member universities, as well as representatives of UNICA GREEN Partners, peer networks, governmental bodies, and city authorities. A limited number of external participants was also welcome.
UNICA GREEN is a platform for Sustainability/Environmental Coordinators to discuss and exchange experience and practices in different elements of the implementation of environmental sustainability strategies at universities: strategic tools, environmental management systems, and best practices related to the day-to-day work of a sustainable management office, student involvement, and outreach.
In case of any questions, please contact Ms Laura Brossico from the UNICA Secretariat: office@unica-network.eu