SKILLS FOR A GREENER FUTURE: THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY LIFELONG LEARNING
Europe is to transform into a sustainable, resource-efficient and competitive economy. Sustainable development, green transition, green skills – what are behind these terms, who are the actors and what is the role of universities? We have discussed these and other key points during the 2024 eucen Autumn Seminar in Barcelona this November.
The European Green Deal aims to address a just and inclusive transition by leaving “no person and no place behind”. The 2024 eucen Autumn Seminar opened the terminology, discussed sustainability values, complexity, sustainable futures and actions for sustainability by universities. eucen has updated its vision and mission statements in 2024 to create transformational and equitable impact that contributes to sustainable development.
GreenComp – the European sustainability competence framework has presented four interrelated competence areas: (a) embodying sustainability values, (b) embracing complexity in sustainability, (c) envisioning sustainable futures and (d) acting for sustainability. Green skills are nothing developed in isolation nor separated from digital nor innovation transitions. These are part of responsible and sustainable strategic behaviour of individuals and organisations.
The seminar has addressed an innovative EU-wide sustainability knowledge transfer throughout presentations of specialised sustainability modules and supporting mechanisms to promote focused green skills uptake, upskilling and re-skilling for future green industrial opportunities. It has also facilitated Lifelong Learning (LLL) for a wide range of community stakeholders in the broad area of sustainability.
The seminar included:
- an in-depth analysis of existing diagnostic and training provisions concerning sustainability issues and current problems encountered with its uptake by different groups in society;
- investigation into why sustainability issues have not been fully engaged with by marginalized groups in different partner countries? This will foster the realization of a “Just and Sustainable Transition for All” across the EU;
- elaboration of the current landscape with regards – sustainability training, related initiatives and policies which support the SDGs implementation across EU member states.
The five sub-themes of the seminar have been:
- GreenComp and Green Skills (concept development, national practices in curriculum)
- Green Campus, green metrics and (HE) organisational changes towards sustainability
- Flexible pathways and micro-credentials for a greener future (quality assurance of learning)
- Community learning and citizen science
- Inclusion and RPL – alternative ways to foster green education
The 2024 eucen Autumn Seminar is one of the events embedded in the European Year of Skills promoted by the European Commission.
Why do we have the silhouette of a camelid in our marketing material?
United Nations has declared 2024 the international year of camelids (IYC 2024). These animals are key for the livelihoods of millions of households in hostile environments and play an important role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the fight against hunger, the eradication of extreme poverty, the empowerment of women and the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. To choose this visual is meaningful and shows eucen‘s support to SDGs at large. Do not miss reading more about it in the provided link.