A whole sector approach: Education for sustainable development and global citizenship in wales

Abstract

The Welsh Government aims to ensure sustainable development as a central organizing principle for organizations. Strategies from the Welsh Government provide Welsh higher education institutions with support and structure to embed education for sustainable development and global citizenship across all activities. The Welsh Government has funded a sector wide review of environmental management systems and energy efficiency improvements at Welsh higher education institutions. Following an audit of all higher education curricula for education for sustainable development and global citizenship content a potential baselining tool has been developed and piloted. In order to assist implementation of this tool a Sustainability Maturity Model has been created based on a capability maturity model project management tool. The Sustainability Maturity Model illustrates the processes which are vital in the maturing of sustainability at an institutional level. The model uses commitment and leadership, teaching and learning, institutional management, partnerships, and research and monitoring to structure the elements that need to be considered and addressed within an institution to initiate and mobilize change in education for sustainable development and global citizenship. Offering a strategic overview for managers in higher education institutions this is a practically useful tool for higher education internationally.