Our Proposition

Humanity faces intense challenges of an unprecedented scale, complexity and interdependence. The current economic and environmental path is dangerously unsustainable. As humanity sleepwalks inexorably towards a climate catastrophe, propelled by economic irrationality and increasing inequality and fuelled by a new wave of political populism, where is the radical voice of education, which can stem the tide, challenge orthodoxy and bring hope to young people betrayed by a system of self-perpetuating inadequacy?

Our Provocation

Education is part of the problem. To quote Greta Thunberg, the education sector has been “shitting on our futures”. Our view is that schools must be part of the solution. But first, educational leaders have to make the choice:  whether they want to be the mirror of society or the change agents of society, and are they willing to accept responsibility for a critical reflection – are they fit for purpose? What contribution can and should the education sector play in responding to the impending crisis?

Our Proposal

A radical new kind of approach to education is necessary. Sustainability Education is committed to working with schools, business, NGOs and governments to challenge orthodoxy about the “where” “how” and “what” of education. Our programmes and After Care consultancy in Sustainability, Peace, and in Mindfulness, challenge delegates to imagine, co-create and articulate a transformative strategy for peace, justice and sustainability throughout the world.

The ideal partnership of leading global institutions  

In collaboration with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the University of Cape Town, Sustainability Education provides transformational experiences to a diverse cross-section of delegates from a range of sectors by investigating the systems level, interdependent causes and consequences of our predicament, encompassing the key environmental, social, economic and political drivers. Our immersion programmes in Sustainability, Peace, and in Mindfulness, challenge delegates to imagine, create and articulate the challenges in making Sustainability thinking central to how we live and work together towards a shared vision of a better, more peaceful, more sustainable world.

 

Why Sustainability Education?

  • You will develop a clear vision of how your organization can become a change agent of society

  • Your organisation will be in an optimum position to respond to the current sustainable development imperative – a global challenge of unprecedented scale, urgency and complexity

  • Delegates will be equipped to lead in developing new strategies for responding to the challenge of incorporating sustainability thinking into the infrastructure, curriculum experience and the governance of schools

  • You will develop a strategic and practical approach to peace and conflict transformation in education

  • Your organisation will be able to realise the potential of education as a driver of positive change and conflict transformation, and to design and implement strategies that can have a positive long-term impact on conflict and post-conflict contexts

  • Delegates will develop appreciation for the role that Mindfulness can play in transforming anxiety, tension and pressure into positive opportunities to increase well being

  • You will become part of a network of thought leaders in education and sustainability, and part of an ‘Active Alumni’ who are can contribute, as faculty, to the further development of our programmes

Inspiring Change Agents

“To solve the problems of the world will require great leadership - which must come from each of us. Young people must be encouraged to realize the leader within”.

— Andrew Watson, Co-Director

“It is clear that even if we manage to take the necessary steps to avert a full climate emergency that the world is going to be a very different and difficult place to live in thirty or forty years. We need to prepare students and future leaders for this world, and respond immediately to their justifiable concern and anger about how we got to this point and why. We are committed to creating the right space to channel this energy and to enable educational leaders to take responsibility for urgent, transformational change in their sector”.

— Prof. Richard Calland, Co-Director