Sustainability Takes Center Stage: Dutch Universities Join Forces on SDG Action Day

Janine Schoeman (Saxion), Dan Hartenberg (University of Twente) & Frans Slingerland (ROC van Twente)

(IN BRIEF) Saxion, ROC Twente, and the University of Twente have united on SDG Action Day to spotlight the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote a sustainable future. They are collaborating on Sustainability Week, which features educational activities emphasizing sustainability in various aspects of operations and education. These institutions share a commitment to sustainability within their curricula and hope to raise awareness and inspire eco-conscious choices among students and staff. Additionally, they aim to learn from one another, fostering a culture of collaboration and shared dedication to creating a better world.

(PRESS RELEASE) ENSCHEDE, Netherlands, 25-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — University of Twente, an Enschede, NL based public technical university, marks SDG Action Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and taking action on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Saxion, ROC Twente, and the University of Twente are coming together to shine a spotlight on these seventeen crucial development objectives that collectively shape a ‘to-do-list’ for building a future-proof world by 2030. The SDGs represent a collective call to action for a prosperous society, a healthier planet, and a thriving economy. Recognizing the importance of preserving our one and only planet, these institutions are committed to amplifying the message that we can and must do better.

Increasing Awareness During Sustainability Week: November 27 – December 1, 2023

Sustainability Week, an annual event packed with engaging and educational activities, seeks to inspire participants to embrace sustainability. Organized by students and staff from ROC Twente, Saxion, and the University of Twente, the week features a diverse program of sustainability-related activities.

To learn more about Sustainability Week, please visit the website.

Sustainability Takes Center Stage: Dutch Universities Join Forces on SDG Action Day

“It’s just one natural disaster after the other,” says Dan Hartenberg from the Green Hub at the University of Twente (UT). “That is why it’s a must to get more attention for climate change. That’s exactly what we are doing on SDG Action Day and also during Sustainability Week. This year Sustainability Week is being held on 27 November to 1 December.”

Uniting for Success

The University of Twente, ROC Twente, and Saxion are joining forces to ensure the success of Sustainability Week. Beyond focusing on climate-related issues, this initiative highlights the importance of the United Nations’ SDGs, which offer a comprehensive framework for creating a better world.

“This way we can have a bigger impact,” says Hartenberg. “If we did it separately we would just draw three smaller bits of attention. By rolling it all into one single week, you get all the attention in one go. For example, during the week we will be visiting Enschede City Council together. We make each other stronger by working together.”

Embracing Sustainability on Multiple Fronts

Throughout Sustainability Week, these educational institutions will emphasize sustainability in their operations, examining energy usage, water conservation, and building sustainability. They will also address staff mobility and vitality, and they are integrating sustainability into their educational programs. These efforts often go unnoticed but play a significant role in fostering a sustainable future. The focus on new technology and circularity, as seen in the fashion program, exemplifies their commitment to innovation and sustainable practices.

“People often think about sustainability only in terms of the ecological aspects, but there are social and economic goals too,” tells Janine Schoeman of Saxion Green Office. “Things like poverty and hunger. You also hear more often about how bad the situation is in the Netherlands. We not only notice this among students and staff, but also through our giveaway box at Saxion. It’s proving to be very popular. The choices we make now can help create a better future. That’s our message to staff and students all year round, but during Sustainability Week we focus on this even more.”

A Shared Commitment to a Sustainable Curriculum

The University of Twente and Saxion share a deep commitment to sustainability as a core theme in their educational offerings. Sustainability is integrated into the curriculum, reflecting the institutions’ dedication to preparing students for a world that demands eco-conscious decisions.

Learning and Growing Together

University of Twente, Saxion, and ROC Twente share a common goal: contributing to a better world, both in the short and long term. Sustainability Week serves as a platform for reinforcing this commitment. Through awareness-raising activities, these institutions aim to empower individuals to recognize the impact of their choices, even those seemingly unrelated to sustainability, such as choosing train travel over air travel. Additionally, they aspire to foster a culture of mutual learning and collaboration among the three educational institutions.

“At ROC Twente we’re working on sustainability on three fronts,” explains Frans Slingerland, Director of Real Estate & Facility Services, who is also director of the theme: ‘Thinking and acting sustainably’. In our operations we look at how we deal with energy, water use and making buildings more sustainable. In the area of services, we think about the mobility and vitality of our staff. The third front is how we incorporate sustainability into our education. We are already doing a lot without noticing it. At the same time we look at the extent to which we should focus on new technology in specific programmes. You can see this for example in our fashion programme. We now have a separate line on circularity there and we also do a lot of work with used materials.