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Networking Exercise from Education Seminar

Held at the Tipperary Institute, November 2001

Before the programme began, participants were invited to give examples of 'good practice' that they knew of, or were involved, in the area of 'Education for Sustainability' and to share their expectations for the day.

Examples of good practice in institutions and communities that are positively contributing to, or promoting, sustainability:

• Clean Technology Centre, Cork Institute of Technology. A centre for research and provision of consultancy services to business and NGOs on clean production technology.
• Tipperary Institute: The National Diploma in Business Studies (Sustainable Rural Development), raising awareness and promoting action on sustainability issues, for example double sided photocopying, raising awareness of issues such as racism and discrimination, plans for a wood-fuelled Combined Heat and Power plant in Tipperary Institute,
• Establishment of an 'Environmental Committees' in Waterford Institute of Technology and University of Limerick with representatives from academic and non-academic staff, and students.
• Energy management in Limerick Institute of Technology.
• Work under the National Committee for Development Education on 'global' education at many levels.
• Environmental officers in County Councils.
• Evening courses in Environment and Development run by the Development Studies Centre, Kimmage Manor

People's hopes from the day included:

• Better understand the meaning of the terms 'sustainability' and 'sustainable rural development'.
• Understand how teaching sustainability can be integrated into the objectives, syllabus and learning methods of courses (including business courses).
• Get ideas on how the HETAC guidelines might be practically implemented in an Institute of Technology.
• Find out what we, as individuals, can do to contribute to and promote sustainability.
• Explore what third-level educational institutions can do to change attitudes.
• Examine if economic growth can ever by achieved by using sustainable practices or will it always be in direct competition with sustainability of resources.
• Get directions on how to implement sustainability, economically, environmentally, socially and culturally.
• Networking - finding out about what is already going on regarding sustainability.
• Get an opportunity to mention the role of teacher training colleges as a sector of the higher education community that may be forgotten.
• Renewal of commitment [to sustainability].

Participants had a range of areas of activity including:

• Lecturers
• Students
• Buildings management and planning
• Research
• Community
• Adult education

Continue to Opening Address by Séamus Puirséil

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