Promoting sustainable development via stakeholder engagement in higher education

IF 6 3区 环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Walter Leal Filho, Tiago F. A. C. Sigahi, Rosley Anholon, Bianca Gasparetto Rebelatto, Inga Schmidt-Ross, Susanne Hensel-Börner, Dirk Franco, Thomas Treacy, Luciana Londero Brandli
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Higher education institutions (HEI) are uniquely positioned to contribute to sustainable development through education, research, community engagement, and policy influence. In this context, stakeholder engagement is recognised as an important strategy, since involving diverse groups in decision-making processes, HEIs can harness a wealth of perspectives, expertise, and resources, fostering more inclusive, innovative, and effective approaches to sustainability. There is a perceived need for studies that explore the contribution of various stakeholders in higher education, and suggest ways to optimise their participation in processes. Against this background, this paper seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks of stakeholder engagement and practical applications within the context of sustainable development in higher education.

Results

By examining 29 real-world case studies and best practices, this paper provides actionable insights and guidance for HEIs to enhance their sustainability efforts. Findings from the analysis of cases in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America were consolidated into ten guidelines for HEIs seeking to promote sustainable development through stakeholder engagement. The analysis of trends identified three clusters: (i) HEI’s role in sustainable development through stakeholder engagement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); (ii) human-centred sustainability via transformative learning and community empowerment; and (iii) education and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability.

Conclusions

The nature of the work performed, and the scope of the activities of HEIs put them in a key position to drive sustainable development by engaging diverse stakeholders across academic and societal contexts, including students, faculty, administration, industry partners, and the broader community. Inclusive participation and interdisciplinary educational programmes that integrate sustainability across curricula are key to effective stakeholder engagement. In addition, institutional commitment, including strong leadership and strategic policies, is essential for advancing sustainability initiatives, while partnerships with local communities and industries amplify the practical impact of sustainability efforts while addressing real-world challenges.

通过利益相关者参与高等教育促进可持续发展
高等教育机构(HEI)在通过教育、研究、社区参与和政策影响为可持续发展做出贡献方面具有独特的地位。在这种情况下,利益相关者的参与被认为是一项重要的战略,因为让不同群体参与决策过程,高等教育机构可以利用丰富的观点、专业知识和资源,促进更包容、创新和有效的可持续发展方法。人们认为有必要进行研究,探索高等教育中各种利益相关者的贡献,并提出优化他们参与过程的方法。在此背景下,本文试图弥合高等教育可持续发展背景下利益相关者参与的理论框架与实际应用之间的差距。结果通过分析29个现实案例和最佳实践,本文为高等教育机构加强可持续发展工作提供了可行的见解和指导。对欧洲、非洲、亚洲、北美和南美的案例进行分析后得出的结论被整合为10项指导方针,供寻求通过利益相关者参与促进可持续发展的高等教育机构参考。趋势分析确定了三个集群:(i)高等教育通过利益相关者参与和可持续发展目标(SDGs)在可持续发展中的作用;通过变革学习和赋予社区权力实现以人为中心的可持续发展;(三)可持续发展的教育和跨学科方法。高等教育机构的工作性质和活动范围使其处于推动可持续发展的关键地位,通过与学术和社会背景的不同利益相关者(包括学生、教师、行政部门、行业合作伙伴和更广泛的社区)的合作,推动可持续发展。包容性参与和跨学科教育方案将可持续性纳入整个课程,是利益攸关方有效参与的关键。此外,机构承诺,包括强有力的领导和战略政策,对于推进可持续发展倡议至关重要,而与当地社区和行业的合作伙伴关系,在应对现实挑战的同时,扩大了可持续发展努力的实际影响。
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来源期刊
Environmental Sciences Europe
Environmental Sciences Europe Environmental Science-Pollution
CiteScore
11.20
自引率
1.70%
发文量
110
审稿时长
13 weeks
期刊介绍: ESEU is an international journal, focusing primarily on Europe, with a broad scope covering all aspects of environmental sciences, including the main topic regulation. ESEU will discuss the entanglement between environmental sciences and regulation because, in recent years, there have been misunderstandings and even disagreement between stakeholders in these two areas. ESEU will help to improve the comprehension of issues between environmental sciences and regulation. ESEU will be an outlet from the German-speaking (DACH) countries to Europe and an inlet from Europe to the DACH countries regarding environmental sciences and regulation. Moreover, ESEU will facilitate the exchange of ideas and interaction between Europe and the DACH countries regarding environmental regulatory issues. Although Europe is at the center of ESEU, the journal will not exclude the rest of the world, because regulatory issues pertaining to environmental sciences can be fully seen only from a global perspective.
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