SUSTENTABILIDADE EM INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR

Abstract

SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. The universities have the historical role of transmission of scientific knowledge and, in large part from their own production. Through the accumulation of knowledge and developing techniques and more sophisticated over time, nature has been increasingly exploited, reaching very high levels of extraction in the past two centuries. This culture of exploitation persists in the globalized world, it is believed that through education sustainable consciousness can be awakened. In fact, the position change occurs at a time when educational institutions (primary and higher) raised concern over sustainable development. Although play key role in the quest for sustainability, education alone will not lead to its purpose. For this purpose, besides academic activities that foster environmental education and training of critical thinking with respect to rational exploitation of the environment, it is necessary for higher education institutions (HEIs) to work around an integrated environmental management covering environmental and social impacts caused by its own activity. This article discusses the importance of higher education as the awakening of consciousness development, and its relevance as a tool for building social integration for sustainability by providing infrastructure and environmental management models, programs and encouraging social and environmental initiatives. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]