USING MLEARNING TO ENGAGE WITH THE LIVING BOTANICAL WORLD
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The Reimagine Education Sustainability Award will be given to the project that best encourages or implements policy designed to enhance institutional sustainability.
Such projects might concern themselves with sustainability from an environmental, social, economic, or human sustainability perspective. Projects, of course, may also concern themselves with more than one of these forms of sustainability.
Sustainability Award
“Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable: to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), 1987
In numerous sectors and nations, development is occurring at unprecedented rates. Whilst this development brings with it an exciting range of possibilities and opportunities, it is essential to note that development can only occur through resource creation and consumption. It is also essential to note that the resources upon which humanity is reliant for development are typically finite, requiring careful, controlled consumption. As such, it remains imperative that development is planned for, and enacted, sustainably – in a way that acknowledges our collective role as caretakers of our environment, economy, and society for future generations.
Thus, Reimagine Education has partnered with Chinese property development company Agile to create the inaugural Sustainability Award. Collectively, US$50,000 is being offered to the project that is most successful in:
- Inculcating in students an awareness of the various environmental, economic, and social challenges facing our global society;
- Inculcating in students the desire, skills, and knowledge necessary to approach these challenges;
- Improving institutional sustainability – whether environmental, social, human, and/or economic;
- Encouraging other institutions to commit to sustainable development policy;
- Instilling in students a desire to improve the sustainability of their institution and/or community.
What is sustainable development? Seeking potential directions for your project? Check out this short article for a brief introduction to sustainable development theory!
Alternatively, check out the below Ted Talk, “Sustainability: Why Universities Can Lead By Example“, presented by Dr. Troy Hammond, President of North Central College.
Past Winner Sustainability Award: University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Green Consultants is an award winning training program involving facilitated learning for students interested in pursuing a career with an environmental or sustainabile development focus. Students undertake a training programme followed by an on-campus project which helps meet institutional KPIs.
This precedes an industry internship devoted to developing practical skills. www.exeter.ac.uk/greenconsultants
Tongji University, China
Project: Twelve Year’s Leadership Program for Sustainable Development
Since 2004, 336 emerging leaders from 42 countries and organizations have benefited from this annual leadership program, of which more than 30 countries are from the Asia-Pacific region. The program has also attracted participants from North America, Africa, and Europe. www.tongji.edu.cn/english
Columbia University, United States
Project: Teaching and Learning in Racially Diverse Schools
Columbia University’s professional development Institute offers educators knowledge and skills to make racially diverse schools better learning settings, fostering higher achievement and sustaining a juster, more democratic society. The pilot year of the Reimagining Education Institute enrolled 100 professional educators alongside 30 Teachers College graduate students, receiving broadly positive feedback. teacherscollege.columbia.edu