Global Higher Education for Global Higher Education for Sustainability Toolkit / Sustainability Toolkit /

Resource CenterResource Center(www.ulsf.org/toolkit)(www.ulsf.org/toolkit)

Global Higher Education for Global Higher Education for Sustainability Partnership (GHESP)Sustainability Partnership (GHESP)

Initiated by GHESP, which includes: Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable

Future (ULSF) COPERNICUS-CAMPUS International Association of Universities (IAU) UNESCO

Other special collaborators and consultation hosts: United Nations University / Institute of Advanced Studies

(Japan) Monterrey Institute of Technology (Mexico) Rhodes University (South Africa) Florida Gulf Coast University (USA) Sierra Youth Coalition (Canada)

Purpose

The purpose of the online “Toolkit” is to provide regionally relevant resources and tools to individuals and institutions worldwide who are striving to make education for sustainability a major focus of higher education curricula, research, physical operations, and service and outreach to local, regional, and global communities.

Need Implementation of the Talloires,

Copernicus, and Kyoto Declarations, signed by over 1200 universities worldwide

Expressed need for tools and resources from educators and practitioners worldwide

Anticipated Users Administration Alumni Boards and Trustees Chancellors/Presidents External Stakeholders Faculty Funders Staff Students

The Toolkit is being developed in the context of the

United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable

Development2005-2014

Timeline/Actions

2003-2004: International Consultation Process – needs assessments in different regions of the world

2005-2008: Development and launch of the online “Toolkit” with ongoing feedback from regional teams, editorial board, etc.

Ongoing: Link with Regional Centers of Excellence on ESD (UNU-IAS)

Envisioning Education for Sustainability Overview

The Earth Charter – a global framework on sustainable development

Key dimensions of change for sustainability – e.g., lifestyle choices; economic models / consumption and production practices; community and organizational priorities; policy frameworks

The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Higher Education and ESD

Policy, Planning, & Administration Overview

Policies:- Employee policies- Environmental policies- Hiring, tenure and promotion- Mission Statements

Planning:- Financial planning- Master planning- Strategic planning

Administrative Offices:- Chief Executive- Academic Affairs- Administrative Affairs- Etc.

Policy, Planning, & Administration - continued

Special Topics:- Accounting for Sustainability- Faculty and Staff Development Programs- Faculty, Staff, and Student Orientation Programs- Sustainability Committees / Task Forces- Sustainability Declarations- Sustainability Director/Coordinator positions

Policy, Planning, & Administration (Mission Statements)

Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinoins, U.S.

Independent; Four-year; Coed; Enrollment 2,021; suburban

Excerpt from Mission Statement: "A liberal education at Illinois Wesleyan fosters creativity, critical thinking, effective communication, strength of character and a spirit of inquiry; it deepens the specialized knowledge of a discipline with a comprehensive world view. It affords the greatest possibilities for realizing individual potential while preparing students for democratic citizenship and life in a global society... The University through its policies, programs and practices is committed to diversity, social justice and environmental sustainability."

http://www.iwu.edu//aboutiwu/mission.html

Curriculum / Teaching Overview

Disciplinary Curricula:- Art History- Astronomy- Chemistry- Etc.

Professional Curricula:- Accountancy (Statistics)- Architecture and Urban Planning- Agriculture- Business Administration- Etc.

Curriculum / Teaching – continued General Education

- Quantitative and language composition skills- Interdisciplinary learning and breadth of knowledge

Teaching Approaches- Experiential Learning- Interdisciplinary Learning- Lecture Format- Service Learning

Special Topics: - Faculty and Student Exchange Programs- Interdisciplinary Studies- Linking Curriculum to Sustainable Communities- Linking Curriculum to Sustainable Operations- Sustainability Studies/Programs (BA, MA, PhD)- Teacher Education- Teaching Tools

Curriculum / Teaching – continued (Teacher Education) UNESCO’s “Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future” -

first four modules on rationale for ESD Multimedia teacher education programme containing 25 professional development modules for teachers, teacher educators and student teachers, and reflects an interdisciplinary approach to developing knowledge and skills for building a sustainable world. http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/

Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit - http://www.esdtoolkit.org/default.htm

Physical Operations / Infrastructure Overview

Operational Areas:- Air/Climate Initiatives- Buildings/Design- Energy- Environmental Management Systems- Food- Hazardous Substances- Landscaping- Purchasing/Procurement- Recycling/Solid Waste - Transportation- Water

Physical Operations / Infrastructure - continued

Special Topics:

- Campus "Greening" Strategy

- Campus as a living laboratory

- Financial models

- Policies

Physical Operations / Infrastructure – cont’d (Environmental Management Systems)A Step-by-Step to Establishing a Sustainability Management SystemThe United Kingdom's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was created in June 2001. Defra's Sustainable Development Education Panel developed a 10-step guide to establishing a sustainability management system:Step 1: Gaining CommitmentStep 2: Conducting an Initial ReviewStep 3: Setting Objectives and TargetsStep 4: Establishing ResponsibilitiesStep 5: TrainingStep 6: Developing a ManualStep 7: Developing a Management ProgrammeStep 8: Conducting an AuditStep 9: Reporting Step 10: Going for Certification/Registration

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/sustainable/educpanel/furthering/03.htm

Physical Operations / Infrastructure – cont’d (Financial Models)Green Campus Loan FundThrough substantial contributions from the Offices of the President and Provost, the Harvard Green Campus Initiative (HGCI) has established the Green Campus Loan Fund (GCLF), a $3,000,000 interest-free revolving loan fund that was created to finance environmentally and economically beneficial projects throughout Harvard University.

This program enables HGCI to help interested partners identify, develop, finance, and earn recognition for GCLF projects through the following avenues: Providing project conception and development support Awarding interest-free financing to approved projects Facilitating communication between networks of empowered individuals

concerned with reducing Harvard's environmental impact Publicizing project successes and recognizing the work of individuals

dedicated to improving campus sustainability

www.greencampus.harvard.edu/programs/GCLF.shtml

We welcome your involvement.

www.ulsf.org/toolkit