Another stimulating day at the NUS sustainable development observatory board yesterday – although we’re now an advisory group, I note. Too many Boards, it seems.
We had a glimpse of the latest survey results about what students think about the need for a focus on sustainability in their university work. Much the same as they have done for the past 5 years, as you ask. A remarkable consistency of view, given that the cohort changes every year. These outcomes cannot be influenced by the universities themselves, given the timing, so might it be what schools do, despite DfE indifference? Or is it because of DfE indifference? Maybe it's something in the water – or the air. All that NOx, maybe. It is quite perplexing, given how little schools do (or say they do).
We learned that, in future, NUS is going to be lobbing for "a liberated and sustainable curriculum” in universities (and colleges, presumably). I wondered (aloud) what this was liberation from. From those who are “pale, male and stale”, someone suggested. Like me?, I thought, and wondered whether the NUS liberation team has its eye on everyone like me. Maybe my time on the advisory group is near its overdue end.
Then we talked about the Well Being of Future Generations in Wales Act (WFGAct) with its 7 goals and 5 ways of working – which I had inexplicably missed. We were enjoined, by Welsh members of the group, to see this in the same light as the sustainable development goals, though the Welsh Goals seems to be quite different.
According to the published Guide, they are:
- a globally responsible Wales
- a prosperous Wales
- a resilient Wales
- a healthier Wales
- a more equal Wales
- a Wales of cohesive communities
- a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
These are, of course, to be viewed as a whole, not as separate goals. I did find myself wondering why, the 4th goal wasn’t a “healthy Wales”. Is that really beyond reach? More on all this, no doubt.
NUS is supporting the Remain campaign in the referendum, and so is encouraging students to register to vote . I contributed by signing up to the Thunderclap around voter registration. Whatever you think about Brexodus, encouraging voting always seems a good idea. It was almost worth going to the meeting to discover what Thunderclaps are.
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