New Perspectives on the Concept of Sustainable Development …
517
promotion of quality education and education for sustainability becomes a priority
commitment.
In the case of the institution here studied, the discipline of Sustainability in Organizations is designed based on the principles of the Global Compact and PRME and
aims to promote business sustainability in the internal and external environments and
Agenda 2030 activities that seek the commitment of those involved (Arruda Filho
2017). As a professional master’s degree course, the applied methodology aims
to associate a conceptual theoretical basis with market practices in the training of
students, valuing the previous knowledge to the activities developed in the classroom,
addressing the themes treated in the light of academic, corporate and governmental
perspectives.
The exercise of sustainable development reconceptualization is part of the activities developed in the Sustainability in Organizations discipline in the Professional
Master’s in Governance and Sustainability since the very first class, starting in 2013.
The activity begins from the studies of the classical concepts, previously mentioned
in the theoretical survey part of this research. Subsequently, students are divided into
groups and invited to reconceptualize the expression, promoting a discussion and
exploring the perception of each individual.
The exercise cultivates collaborative construction, group work and mutual respect
when demanding a more refined analysis of the theme from different perspectives.
Similarly, it encourages participants to position themselves by exposing their individual point of view, agreeing or disagreeing with others and providing an environment of evolution. The conceptions elaborated by the groups are then transformed
into a single definition, which should also be judged and approved by all students
in the class, exercising collaboration. Thus, by seeking consensus from dissent, the
activity alludes to the current corporate reality, in which leaders from various nations
meet periodically to discuss the future of the planet (Arruda Filho 2017). The activity
is developed since the first class as presented in Chart 2.
After defining the concept of each class, a final version is sent to the UN as a
way of demonstrate society’s understanding about sustainable development. This
action was a suggestion of Jorge Chediek, Director of the United Nations Office for
South-South Cooperation, who was at the school at the time and participated of the
activity of the first class, also signing the final document. Chediek suggested that the
document be mailed to UN Secretary General Ban Kin Moon, and this happens to
all following classes.
Given the conceptions created by students and from a subjective interpretation, this
research seeks to discuss what is new and what remains at the essence of definitions
about the expression ‘sustainable development’.
4 Results and Discussion
Discussing sustainable development has its relevance based on the various interpretations that the theme accepts and that are still a source of discussion in academia
517
promotion of quality education and education for sustainability becomes a priority
commitment.
In the case of the institution here studied, the discipline of Sustainability in Organizations is designed based on the principles of the Global Compact and PRME and
aims to promote business sustainability in the internal and external environments and
Agenda 2030 activities that seek the commitment of those involved (Arruda Filho
2017). As a professional master’s degree course, the applied methodology aims
to associate a conceptual theoretical basis with market practices in the training of
students, valuing the previous knowledge to the activities developed in the classroom,
addressing the themes treated in the light of academic, corporate and governmental
perspectives.
The exercise of sustainable development reconceptualization is part of the activities developed in the Sustainability in Organizations discipline in the Professional
Master’s in Governance and Sustainability since the very first class, starting in 2013.
The activity begins from the studies of the classical concepts, previously mentioned
in the theoretical survey part of this research. Subsequently, students are divided into
groups and invited to reconceptualize the expression, promoting a discussion and
exploring the perception of each individual.
The exercise cultivates collaborative construction, group work and mutual respect
when demanding a more refined analysis of the theme from different perspectives.
Similarly, it encourages participants to position themselves by exposing their individual point of view, agreeing or disagreeing with others and providing an environment of evolution. The conceptions elaborated by the groups are then transformed
into a single definition, which should also be judged and approved by all students
in the class, exercising collaboration. Thus, by seeking consensus from dissent, the
activity alludes to the current corporate reality, in which leaders from various nations
meet periodically to discuss the future of the planet (Arruda Filho 2017). The activity
is developed since the first class as presented in Chart 2.
After defining the concept of each class, a final version is sent to the UN as a
way of demonstrate society’s understanding about sustainable development. This
action was a suggestion of Jorge Chediek, Director of the United Nations Office for
South-South Cooperation, who was at the school at the time and participated of the
activity of the first class, also signing the final document. Chediek suggested that the
document be mailed to UN Secretary General Ban Kin Moon, and this happens to
all following classes.
Given the conceptions created by students and from a subjective interpretation, this
research seeks to discuss what is new and what remains at the essence of definitions
about the expression ‘sustainable development’.
4 Results and Discussion
Discussing sustainable development has its relevance based on the various interpretations that the theme accepts and that are still a source of discussion in academia