Preface
Sustainable development is a matter of wide societal relevance, for two main reasons.
Firstly, the pillar upon which societies are built, based on principles such as the rule of
law, democracy, social inclusion, cohesion and justice, need to be complemented by
elements such as well-being and the economic prosperity of its citizens. Secondly,
in order to allow them to prosper, societies need to be based on the concept of
environmental sustainability.
As institutions with a mandate to educate, perform research and outreach, universities are well placed to explore learning opportunities, and to expand the competences of students, as change leaders, allowing them to make a contribution towards
the sustainability of the societies they are part of. No matter if in Europe, North
America, Latin America, Africa, Middle East or Australasia universities should use
their influence to not only educate students, but also encourage them to seek solutions
and develop a new thinking that may promote and enable their societies to become
more sustainable.
It is against this background that this book has been produced. It is a truly interdisciplinary publication, useful to scholars, social movements, practitioners and
members of governmental agencies, with an interest on the connections between
universities, sustainability and societies.
The aims of this book are as follows:
i. to present initiatives (i.e. curriculum innovation, research, activities, practical
projects) as they relate to sustainable development at university level and links
with society at large;
ii. to foster the exchange of information, ideas and experiences acquired in the
execution of projects, from successful initiatives and good practice;
iii. to introduce methodological approaches and projects which aim to integrate
the topic of sustainable development in the curriculum of universities.
Last but not least, a further aim of the book is to document and disseminate the
wealth of experiences available today. This book is structured around two parts:
Sustainability-Based Approach and Methods
Case Studies on Sustainable Development at Universities.
v
Sustainable development is a matter of wide societal relevance, for two main reasons.
Firstly, the pillar upon which societies are built, based on principles such as the rule of
law, democracy, social inclusion, cohesion and justice, need to be complemented by
elements such as well-being and the economic prosperity of its citizens. Secondly,
in order to allow them to prosper, societies need to be based on the concept of
environmental sustainability.
As institutions with a mandate to educate, perform research and outreach, universities are well placed to explore learning opportunities, and to expand the competences of students, as change leaders, allowing them to make a contribution towards
the sustainability of the societies they are part of. No matter if in Europe, North
America, Latin America, Africa, Middle East or Australasia universities should use
their influence to not only educate students, but also encourage them to seek solutions
and develop a new thinking that may promote and enable their societies to become
more sustainable.
It is against this background that this book has been produced. It is a truly interdisciplinary publication, useful to scholars, social movements, practitioners and
members of governmental agencies, with an interest on the connections between
universities, sustainability and societies.
The aims of this book are as follows:
i. to present initiatives (i.e. curriculum innovation, research, activities, practical
projects) as they relate to sustainable development at university level and links
with society at large;
ii. to foster the exchange of information, ideas and experiences acquired in the
execution of projects, from successful initiatives and good practice;
iii. to introduce methodological approaches and projects which aim to integrate
the topic of sustainable development in the curriculum of universities.
Last but not least, a further aim of the book is to document and disseminate the
wealth of experiences available today. This book is structured around two parts:
Sustainability-Based Approach and Methods
Case Studies on Sustainable Development at Universities.
v