Educating for a sustainable future
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Associate Professor Daniella Tilbury |
Do you want to enjoy a better quality of life and help future generations do the same? A research group based at Macquarie University wants to help us explore how.
Education at ARIES (the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability) is something more than going to a seminar or reading a book, it's about what is learned by experiencing things and talking to people.
ARIES was established in 2004 through funding from the Commonwealth Government. Their core business is to conduct research on education for sustainability, with outcomes used to provide quality sustainability outcomes across all sectors of society.
"We work in both formal and informal education," says ARIES Director, Associate Professor Daniella Tilbury. "It's really important to engage with sustainability because it influences what we call quality of life; not just my quality of life, but the quality of life of everyone."
Contrary to popular belief, sustainability is not just about limiting pollution. Key issues include the environment, having quality drinking water, availability of areas where you can enjoy the great outdoors and have a picnic, and air quality.
Why is education in sustainability important?
"People need to know and understand how to work with others, how important it is to think about the future," explains Tilbury. "Many people make decisions on a day to day basis because it is convenient for that day, but in a few days, a few weeks, a few months, a few years, that action has an impact. We have to help people think about longer term futures and respond to it now, rather than later on."
In the past, the focus on sustainability education has rested with children. ARIES is hoping to take the burden off the younger generation. "They have to be part of this process but they shouldn't be burdening children with our problems, we are the culprits," says Tilbury. "We are the ones who need to be working towards a solution."
Working for change
The research conducted by ARIES influences policy, funding, and training. They work closely with business and industry, community organisations, universities and TAFE, local, state and federal government.
"We're not just interested in working with people on the ground," says Tilbury. "We're interested in working on changing the institutions that help people on the ground; getting change happening at a bigger level. Our research identifies what the educator needs to be doing and what training needs to be done."
Success to date
Since its formation two years ago, ARIES has released 10 reports with another eight in progress. These include: A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in Australia; Education About and For Sustainability in Australian Business Schools; Whole-School Approaches to Sustainability: An international review of whole-school sustainability programs.
"The ultimate aim of ARIES is to have an Australia that is sustainable," says Tilbury.
ARIES has recently signed a contract to extend its research until 2008.
For further information contact Associate Professor Daniella Tilbury at: daniella.tilbury@mq.edu.au or visit the ARIES website at www.aries.mq.edu.au/