Work in Sustainable Education Reaps Rewards

Media Release
Otago Polytechnic

Work in Sustainable Education Reaps Rewards

For immediate release 12/02/2009

Otago Polytechnic Associate Professor Sam Mann is celebrating double honours this week, each a public affirmation of the progress he has made internationally in the field of education for sustainability.

Dr Mann has been announced as the Beeby Fellow for 2009. The fellowship is a joint initiative between the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) and the New Zealand National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The $25,000 Fellowship will be used to document the implementation of Otago Polytechnic’s Education for Sustainability initiative, a process he has led over the past two years. The book will be a resource for institutions and academics interested in education for sustainability and will include a number of case studies from the polytechnic’s experience.

Dr Mann says it’s exciting to have the opportunity to capture the transformation in a book. “It’s not aimed at people who need convincing about sustainability. It’s for academics who understand a bit about sustainability, but who haven't taken the step of integrating some degree of education for sustainability into their teaching. I want to show them how relevant it is and how easy can be."

Dr Mann has also been invited to participate in the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Bonn, Germany.

An invitation to the March event has only been extended to three other New Zealanders. 700 participants are expected to attend.

In 2002 The UN General Assembly declared a UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development which commenced in 2005. The aim of the endeavour is to integrate the principles, values and practices of sustainable development into all education and learning. The March conference is to examine achievements to date and develop strategies for the future on an international scale.

Otago Polytechnic has taken an “every graduate” approach to sustainability focussing on preparing all students to becoming sustainable practitioners in their own fields.

Dr Mann has been instrumental in implementing the Polytechnic’s Education for Sustainability priorities both within the curriculum documents and in practical projects such as the ‘Living Campus’ according to CEO Phil Ker. This has resulted in ground-breaking achievements that have deservedly won Dr Mann this recognition.

ENDS

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