Call open for Nordic educational institutions and researchers to apply for developing education models for sustainable development, until June 1st. 

The network for sustainable development at the Nordic Network for Adult learning facilitated a roundtable “on development of educational models for sustainable development lifestyles” at the 9th Nordic Conference on Adult Education and Learning on May 20th, 2022. At the roundtable, we presented the call, which is open until June 1st, for researchers and educational institutions to look into, compare and develop Nordic educational models for sustainable development. 

For the roundtable, we applied the circle methodology, a process we learned and used at the Nordic adult education for education for sustainable development we realized in 2014-2015 and 2016. The method is presented in this video, made by Samsö Energiakademi. 

Kirsten Paaby from Paaby Process Edu-Action, opened the roundtable by check-in (see picture 1). The question each was invited to answer was “when did you buy your first mobile phone, and how many have you had.” After each participant answered, Kirsten presented why she had chosen this example and what it had to do with sustainable development.

I then presented the call and the background for it, which you can check out here. The vision for the Nordic countries is to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world and according to the strategy for the Nordic countries by the Nordic Council of Ministers'” education, innovation and research are the foundation for the future.” According to the report” The Nordic Region and the 2030 Agenda: Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the Nordic Countries,” published in June 2021, Nordic countries rank in international measurements of how far countries have come with implementing the Agenda 2030. However, there are many challenges regarding enhancing sustainable development, especially concerning the work with the goals for consumption and production, climate change, and the biodiversity crisis. 

The open call is for researchers and educational institutions, who want to look into, compare and develop piloted methodologies and praxis done in different educational institutions, which support the development towards the normalization of a more sustainable lifestyle. The purpose is to grasp the lifestyles and influence organizations, cultures, and attitudes – from the individual to the systemic level. The project’s goal is to contribute to creating a holistic and sustainable organization that involves all stakeholders: leaders, teachers, and students/participants. In the project will participate three educational institutions and two researchers that can apply to participate through an open call. The participating educational institutions and researchers will be chosen in June.

Henrika Nordin from Bildningsalliansen opened the discussion. The focus of the roundtable was to share and discuss piloted methodologies and praxis done, which support the development of the normalization of a more sustainable lifestyle.

The participants were very active, and I want to share two points from that. Several participants emphasized the importance of dialogue among leaders, educators, cities, and companies. It was also underlined that leaders and educators want to do a lot but don’t know what to do. 

Miriam Sannum from Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan finished the roundtable with a check-out by asking the participants to share what they would bring home.

Four members of the network for sustainable development at the Nordic Network for Adult learning facilitated the roundtable for sustainable development at the Nordic Network for Adult learning. Tove Holm from Finland, transdisciplinary facilitator for sustainable development at Tove Holm Consulting; Henrika Nordin from Finland, executive manager at Bildningsalliansen – non-formal adult education in Swedish in Finland, Kirsten Paaby from Norway, Paaby Prosess Edu-Action and Miriam Sannum from Sweden, business developer at Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan.

Tove Holm, May 20th, 2022