Innovation in the teaching of Sustainable Development in Life Sciences in Europe
“Professional Practice and Sustainable Development”- SURVEY
Herewith we invite you to take part in a survey developed by the thematic network of the EU Life Long Learning program-ERASMUS:
“Innovation in the Teaching of Sustainable Development in Life Sciences in Europe” (ISLE) The I.S.L.E Erasmus Academic network involves HEIs, research institutes and enterprises from 32 European countries, interested in introducing the concept of Sustainable Development (SD) in their curricula and/or institutions having had experience in this area and who are willing to transmit their know-how on this subject. The purpose of the ISLE thematic network is to identify innovative methodologies and didactic tools for teaching of sustainable development, with particular focus on studies at life sciences universities in Europe, and beyond. The outcomes should enhance the attractiveness of the teaching of sustainability at all levels of studies, in transverse, crosscutting or even trans-disciplinary subject areas. ISLE brings together specialists, scholars and professors, from more than thirty universities and higher education institutions from all around Europe.
The definition of SD that is being used in this survey is that of the UN report “Our Common Future”, also known as the “Brundtland Report”:
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:
-
the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
-
the idea of limitations, imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."
The aim of this “Professional Practice and Sustainable Development”- survey is to collect data from companies, governmental and non-governmental organizations and other relevant partners, from the network of each of the universities in the ISLE-Network, in order to identify the current state of affairs in sustainable development (SD) in professional practice related to the life sciences and to clarify the needs of the labour market on SD in the near future in order to adjust our Higher Education Programs.
The outcomes of the survey will be published on our website, they will also be the subject of discussions at the “Sustainable practices and innovation fair” that will be held in Lisbon on 8, 9 November 2011. You are very welcome to visit this fair.
Completing the questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes.