Route map for Sustainability and Responsibility in Higher Education Institutions
| Date: | 11 November 2009 10.15am - 11 November 2009 4.30pm |
Sustainability and responsibility in universities and colleges promotes long-term sustainability and responsible role of the university in society, both as an educator and employer and addresses the question: “What is the role of university in society, should they be places for civic engagement?”
This new vision of quality gives universities and colleges an opportunity “to demonstrate the full power and potential of higher education for the individual, for the economy, for the environment and for society”
(ref: University Challenge: Towards a well-being approach to quality in higher education, 2007).
The concept builds upon the “Universities that count” benchmarking programme, which furthers effective environmental and social responsibility in Higher Education.
University of Westminster in collaboration with the Association of Sustainability Practitioners invites you to participate in a workshop for Senior Managers and Sustainability, HR, Estates & Facilities and Health & Safety professionals of UK universities and colleges.
Purpose of the workshop
What is meant by Sustainability and Responsibility? What are the opportunities for Higher Education Institutions? The purpose of this event is to develop a shared understanding of Sustainability and Responsibility, identify what commitment and responsibilities, including Hefce’s proposed carbon reduction targets, are. What needs to change in order to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive environment? The event will cover the universities’ and colleges’ roles as both educators and employers and their contributions to society in general. The event will focus on the WHAT and WHY aspects that will help HEI’s to define their policy and strategy and operational work plans.
Goals
- define Sustainability and Responsibility drivers and obligations in the context of HEIs
- summarise the current state of play of the “Universities that Count” benchmarking
- identify the opportunities and advantages for developing Sustainability and Responsibility in HEIs
- develop a HEI route map for Sustainability and Responsibility
Outcomes
- shared understanding of what HEIs need to achieve in Sustainability and Responsibility
- motivation to join with others on the journey
- clarification of where we are on the route map, the next steps and timescales
- learning from sustainability practitioners from other sectors
Contributors (subject to change)
- Pro Vice-Chancellor Myszka Guzkowska, University of Westminster
- Daniela Tilbury, Director of Sustainability, Gloucester University
- Simon Cooper, Director, CSR Consultancy, ASP
- Professor Michael Depledge, DSc, Chair of Environment and Human Health, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth
- Richard Cooper, Head of Corporate Responsibility & Community Investment, Lloyds Banking Group
- Closing: Professor Richard Owen, University of Westminster
Association of Sustainability Practitioners (ASP)
The Association of Sustainability Practitioners is a membership organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable practices. It was created in 2005 by graduates from Bath University’s MSc Responsible Business Practice and now includes practitioners from a wide range of private, public and third-sector organisations. The University of Westminster is collaborating with ASP to include learning that is emerging in other sectors as they address similar challenges.
Registration
To secure your place please contact Anja Mclean mcleana@westminster.ac.uk
There is a fee of £25 per person to cover event expenses.
Further enquiries: Anne Raudaskoski, Sustainability Manager raudasa@westminster.ac.uk tel. 020 7911 5000 x 3486
11 Nov Presentations:
Introduction&1st presentation: Why is this important; Gwyn Jones ASP
2nd presentation: Where are we now; Simon Cooper CSR Consultancy
3rd presentation: Sustainable universities; Michael Depledge, Peninsula Medical School
4th presentation: View from the corporate Sector; Richard Cooper Lloyds Banking Group