Abstract
What is the role of universities in advancing sustainability? This paper delineates a unique program for promoting sustainability that was applied in Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB). The unique characteristics of the program are described in light of the positive sustainability framework. The five components of the program are designed to promote sustainable behavior of participants, through promoting goal-oriented hope: setting a goal; believing that one can successfully achieve the chosen goal (agency thinking); viewing the potential paths for achieving the goal (pathway thinking); and trusting other members of society to follow the same desired goal (social trust). The five components of the program are designed to jointly raise all the elements of hope. It starts with goal setting (estimate), which is aimed at evaluating the impact of the university on the physical environment. Secondly, the entire community of the university should be engaged in achieving the desired goal. The third component of the method is education about the potential options and actions for achieving the designed goal. Then, enabling the achievement of the goal takes place (meaning making it easy). Lastly, participants should be encouraged to pursue the goal by positive rewarding.
Highlights
How can universities contribute to a path toward sustainability? What kind of role can universities assume in creating a sustainable behavioral change toward a more sustainable lifestyle? This paper delineates a specific program based on extensive theoretical grounds that was applied at Vrije
It is mandate to increase levels of understanding through research and teaching future decision-makers clear that higher education has an important role in bringing students up to date with the everand citizens, but theyofalso have an important role through their outreach and operations
This paper suggests a practical implementation of this model in higher education
Summary
How can universities contribute to a path toward sustainability? What kind of role can universities assume in creating a sustainable behavioral change toward a more sustainable lifestyle? This paper delineates a specific program based on extensive theoretical grounds that was applied at Vrije. It is mandate to increase levels of understanding through research and teaching future decision-makers clear that higher education has an important role in bringing students up to date with the everand citizens, but theyofalso have an important role through their outreach and operations. It is clearto evolving concepts sustainable thinking [11]. While many initiatives of the systematically focus on promoting their environmental behavior through the lens of a positive whole-university approach occur around the globe [13], none of these initiatives systematically focus sustainability model. Environmental goal-oriented hope [14], which is the
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