Prof. Dr. Clemens Mader Leuphana Universität Lüneburg October 2012 ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY PROCESSES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ Analysis by application of the Graz Model for Integrative Development
Jan 15, 2016
Prof. Dr. Clemens MaderLeuphana Universität Lüneburg
October 2012
ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY PROCESSES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ
Analysis by application of the Graz Model for Integrative Development
LEARNING TARGETS• Understanding of the larger context of the sustainability
process of the University of Graz• Understanding the Graz Model for Integrative
Development, its principles and applicability• Analysis of the integrative connections of the
sustainability process at the University of Graz by application of the Graz Model• Independent application of the Graz Model in unknown
development processes• Reflection on development processes and the role of
integrative thinking 2
Facts of the University of Graz:• Founded in 1585, Austria's second
oldest university• About 30,000 students and 3,800
employees• 6 faculties and 76 institutes:• Faculty of Catholic Theology• Faculty of Law• Faculty of Business, Economic and Social
Sciences• Faculty of Natural Sciences• Faculty of Arts and Humanties• Faculty of Environmental, Regional and
Educational Sciences
• More than 100 study courses
3University of Graz 2012
MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ
• About 20 years ago, the first initiatives were taken to raise awarenes for research and teaching for the benefit of society • Today, the University of Graz is regarded as a pioneer
in the field of sustainable higher education development in Austria and in Europe.
How has this been achieved? What are the interrelations between activities and initiatives of the last few years?
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MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - EDUCATION
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Environmental System Sciences in curriculum2003
Virtual Campus for a Sustainable Development (VCSE)2005
Lectures, excursions, intergenerational courses...
MScInterdisciplinary Gender Studies2007
Joint MSc programSustainable Development2008
MSc Erasmus MundusIndustrial Ecology 2011
MSc Sustainable Urban and Regionaldevelopment 2007
MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - RESEARCH
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Sustainable urban and regional development
Human rights ICTeESD2010-2012
(a selection...)
MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - MANAGEMENT
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oikos Grazstudent organization2002
Task Force “Sustain. University of Graz”2004
RCE Graz-Styria2006
University bike stations 2007
Sustainability Coordinator2008
Faculty of Environ-mental & RegionalSciences & Education 2007
Institutionalisation of RCE Graz-Styria2009
COPERNICUS Alliance2009
Climate neutral University of Graz2011
MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - OUTREACH
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Children University“KinderUni”2004
RCE Graz-Styria2006
Sustainability Trail 2008
Sustainability website2008
Sustainability Award2008
Dual Career Service2011
Mobility4ALL2012
METHODE – The Graz Model for Integrative Development
• The Graz Model for Integrative Development supports you in:• holistically reflecting, • evaluating,• planning and further developing sustanability processes.
• Based on this model, development processes can be monitored from the vision to the implementation.
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The Graz Model for Integrative Development
The following five principles present core elements for integrative development processes:• Leadership & Vision• Social Network• Partizipation• Education and Learning• Research Integration(Mader, 2009).
The five principles are further divided into three levels.
Mader 2009
APPLICATION OF THE GRAZ MODEL
The Graz Model has been applied to various processes:• Global RCE-Network: for annual reporting and assessment• Regional Development: urban development in Malmö
(Western Harbour), New York City (PlaNYC 2030), city of Graz, Eco-region Kaindorf• Organizations/Institutions: University of Graz, UN Global
Compact Austria, COPERNICUS Alliance, One World Foundation in Sri Lanka• Enterprises: Sekem Group, Zotter chocolates,
studienaktie.org
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THE SUSTAINABILITY PROCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – by application of the Graz Model for Integrative Development
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Mader, C., 2009
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – LEADERSHIP & VISION
• Leadership in terms of sustainability is always carried out on different levels of management and by different persons
• In 1991, students initiated the development of a degree programme for Environmental System Sciences
• Increased activity since 2001: Vice-rector for studies and teaching and the student organization oikos ( top-down & bottom-up)• Development of a shared vision of a sustainable university (activities
like sustainability library, sustainability newsletter, conferences, lecture series, … )
• Building of partnerships and networks, e.g. COPERNICUS
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SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ PARTICIPATION
• Constant effort to make it possible for interested parties to participate and co create platforms that ecnourage participation such as:• Students can become an active member in the organization
oikos Graz• Platforms for scientific and administrative employees such as
the research group 'Sustainable University of Graz', the Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria or the COPERNICUS Alliance
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SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – EDUCATION & LEARNING
• Education plays an important role in the develpment of competences and the transmission of values for sustainable development
• Various activities in the field of teaching such as degree programs for environmental system sciences, global studies, industrial ecology, sustainable development, sustainable urban and regional development and teaching methods such as interdiciplinary trainee programs, transdiciplinary teaching, excursions, etc.
• Various actors, activities and a transformational development, such as the networks Sustainability4U or the European training center for human rights, encourage generative learning where people cooperate to work on different projects.
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SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – RESEARCH INTEGRATION
• A holistic perspective is required when doing research on sustainability to tackle fundamental questions of environment, economy and society
• Transdiciplinary research is a key contribution to sustainability (mutual learning processes, society oriented, participatory, interdiciplinary, …)
• In 2002, the University of Graz carried out the Archduc Johann case study: intended transdiciplinary approach on the revitalization and development of iron ore
• More transdiciplinary approaches in research (development of a mission statement in Leoben and Weiz, mobility concept Mobility4U – a cooperation of the 4 universities in Graz) and in teaching (project Sustainicum, interdisciplinary trainee programs, courses with regional actors,...)
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Principles Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Leadership Administration: of current projects and university courses
Transactional Leadership:sustainability-coordinator
Transformative Leadership: Sustainable University of Graz – varaious actors cooperate to create a vision
Social Network
Information networks:Mailing lists, etc.
Knowledge networks: The research advisory bord of the COPERNICUS Allianceexchanges knowledge and contributes to further development
Innovation networks: Sustainability4U– high level of trust between the partners that share a vision
Participation Information: on current activities: oikos newsletter
Consultation: evaluation of university courses
Decision making: All actors can initiate activties. Platforms are for example oikos Graz or the research group Sustainable University of Graz
Education and
Learning
Single-loop learning:Layout of the sustainability report is further developed.
Double-loop learning:Vision of the RCE has been reflected and adapted
Generative learning: Intergenerational and transdiciplinary teaching supports the understanding of systems and the taking of initiatives.
Research integration
Disciplinary:Basic research as a basis for inter and transdisciplinary research
Interdisciplinary: research illustrates systems interrelations
Transdisciplinary: Mobility4U: Mobility concept of all 4 universities in Graz 18
Mader et al. 2011
Sustainability at the University of Graz – Overview of the Graz Model for Integrative Development
CONCLUSION• The results of the analysis of the sustainability process of the
University of Graz by application of the Graz model indicate a transformative approach.
• A broad range of stakeholders contribute on different levels and by different activites to a vision for a sustainable University of Graz → a long-term strategy could not be determined, however, this leaves room for creativity that can be used in new developments.
• Future challenges: raising awareness among employees and students, cooperating with regional stakeholders.
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REFLECTION & DISCUSSION• Which ascpects are essenctial for a sucessful stustainability
process at universities?
• How can sustainability activities at universities be encouraged? Which contributions can students make?
• Which initiatives should be taken by the University of Graz to strengthen its reputation of a sustainable university? Which steps are necessary to promote sustainability at my university?
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LITERATURE• Mader, Clemens (2012) Sustainability process assessment on transformative
potentials: the Graz Model for Integrative Development, Journal of Cleaner Production, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.08.028
• Mader, Clemens, Mader, Marlene, Diethart, Mario (2011) Der Nachhaltigkeitsprozess der Universität Graz – analysiert durch das Grazer Modell für Integrative Entwicklung, S. 63-69; in: Zimmermann, Friedrich M. (Hrsg.), (2011) Nachhaltigkeit, Regionalentwicklung, Tourismus – Festschrift zum 60. Geburtstag von Friedrich M. Zimmermann, Grazer Schriften der Geographie und Raumforschung, Band 46, Universität Graz, 380 S.
• Zimmermann, Friedrich M., Risopoulos, Filippina (Hrsg.), (2009) Nachhaltigkeitsbericht Universität Graz 2008. Grazer Universitätsverlag, Leykam, Graz, 86 S.
• Zimmermann, Friedrich M. (Hrsg.), (2006) Nachhaltigkeitsbericht Universität Graz 2005. Universität Graz, 64 S.
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