Transcript s143799

Panel
session
AASHE
2011:
Insert
Title ofSustainability Abroad
Studying
from
a European Perspective –
Presentation
Case Stories and Best Practices
Panel session presenters
Beth Mercer-Taylor, University of Minnesota:
Short term faculty-led abroad studies
Christopher Bull, Brown University:
Independent research abroad
Anette Birck, DIS – Danish Institute for Study Abroad:
Study abroad semester, sustainability programs
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Why study Sustainability in Europe?
Why study abroad?
A great opportunity for students to get
another perspective on how the issues
of sustainability can be dealt with.
Hands-on experience and real life case
studies
Why in Europe?
An option that can supplement or
prepare for doing a community or
service learning project in a developing
country.
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Why study Sustainability in Europe?
Why Europe?
• Environmental policy is one of the
most important and far-reaching
areas of EU legislation
• Continent-wide goals to improve
sustainable development
• Europe 2020 Strategy (20%
reduction of CO2 emission, 20%
increase in renewable energy use)
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Why study Sustainability in Europe?
Why Europe?
Many interesting and relevant case
stories for students to learn from:
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Waste management
• District heating and combined
heat/power stations
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Legislation and taxation (national
and EU level)
• Public transportation
• Bicycling culture (Copenhagenize)
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Insertterm faculty-led abroad
Short
studies
Title of
Presentation
Beth Mercer-Taylor,
University of Minnesota
Independent Research Abroad
Insert
Title of
Christopher Bull, Brown University
Presentation
Study
Insertabroad semester Sustainability
in
Europe
Title of
Presentation
Anette Birck,
Director of Sustainability Program, DIS
What is DIS – Danish Institute for Study Aboard?
• A Danish non-profit, tuition driven, self-governing educational
foundation established in 1959
• Offers high quality study abroad programs for credit transfer, taught
in English, in Copenhagen
• The DIS students are American undergraduates (3rd or 4th year)
from most or more selective U.S. universities.
• DIS has cooperation agreements with approximately 170 American
universities. 700-800 students enroll per semester.
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Semester Sustainability Programs at DIS
• Unique and cutting-edge European
based programs of the highest quality
• DIS guides students to become global
citizens and leaders of the future.
• DIS faculty professionals and experts in
their field. Their competencies and
experience are key to the student’s
learning experience at DIS.
• Programs include experiential learning
• hands-on elements in the core
classes, e.g. research/volunteer
projects
• field studies and European study
tour visits integrated into assign.
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Semester Sustainability Programs at DIS
DIS offers two Sustainability and Environment programs
Sustainability in Europe program (SIE)
Science & the Environment (SE)
These programs inspire students in regards to their future career
path and enhance their perspective on environmental and
sustainability issues.
The programs attract environmental studies and environmental
science students as well as students majoring in many other
topics such as political science, development studies, business,
biology, architecture, urban planning etc.
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Semester Sustainability Programs at DIS
Sustainability courses at DIS
Core courses including study tours:
• Sustainable Development: Environmental, Political, and Social Issues
• Climate Change from a Historical Perspective
Elective courses:
• Biological Conservation and Sustainability
• Environmental Economics
• Environmental History of Europe
• Environmental Microbiology
• Food systems: Ecology, Economy and Ethics
• Livability in the Modern City
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Social Sustainability in Global Supply Chain Management
• Sustainable Architecture in the Alps (with study tour)
• Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Sustainable by Design
• Sustainable Production and Consumption
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Semester Sustainability Programs at DIS
Denmark is strongly committed to
sustainable development:
• First country in the world to commit
itself to reducing overall energy
consumption
• 36% of the CPH population
commutes by bike
• 20% of electricity from wind power
• Biomass (including waste) is the
most important source of
renewable energy in Denmark
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Experiential Learning and Study Tours
• Links knowledge with practice
and bridges the gap between the
classroom and outside world
• Expert and professional faculty
• Field studies
• National Lab for Renewable
Energy (Risø)
• Copenhagen Food
Cooperation
• Amagerforbrænding
• Green roofs
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Experiential Learning and Study Tours
Study tours
• 3 day tour in Western Denmark,
Southern Sweden, or Northern
Germany
• 6 day tour in Europe;
UK (London/Devon), Germany
(Hamburg/Berlin), or
Netherlands
(Amsterdam/Rotterdam)
Or Greenland (Science and the
Environment program)
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Experiential Learning and Study Tours
Experiential learning is also time for reflection
plus training analytical skills and critical thinking
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Case Study: Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy
• Development and implementation of
renewable energy systems
• Consultant to manufacturers, local
consumer groups, and relevant
initiators within renewable energy
• The Village for Green Research, where
Folkecenter is situated, demonstrates
practical examples of integration of
several energy solutions, solar
housing, water recycling systems etc.
as an experimental and functional
example of a future ecological society
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Case Study: Hamburg European Green Capital 2011
Energy Mountain - A wasteland/landfill
that has been resorted to host renewable
energy installations
Train of ideas - An exhibition of sustainable
ideals
HafenCity - A harbour development project
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Case Study: Berlin – Urban Gardening + Ufa Fabrik
Princess Garden - A temporary mobile
urban garden build on a central site in
Kreutzberg, Berlin that had not been in
use for 50 years
Inspired by urban gardens in Cuba
Educational community project
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Case Study: Totnes Transition Town
• TTT is trying to equip Totnes for
dual challenge of climate change
and peak oil
• Community approach to
sustainability
• Creative initiatives to rebuild
resiliency and cut CO2 emissions
• Totnes is the original Transition
Town
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Case Study: Greenland
• Week-long program study tour to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to learn about arctic
phenomena
• Lectures on Aurora Borealis, muskoxen, caribou, Arctic flora and fauna, etc.
• Visit to Kellyville, US National Science Foundation research site for upper atmosphere
physics and chemistry
• All-day excursion and on-site lectures on the Greenlandic Ice Cap
• Discussions about climate change with researchers at KISS (Kangerlussuaq
International Science Support)
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Extracurriculars and Campus Life
• Interdisciplinary seminars
• Climate Seminars
focusing on different
environmental issues
• Sustainability Task Force
• DIScover Sustainability
Blog
• 5 student editors
• discoversustainability.s
quarespace.com/
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Extracurriculars and Campus Life
• DIS Living and Learning Community
(Green House)
• Moves beyond traditional classroom
experience with high-impact
experiential learning
• Students cook weekly organic meals
• Volunteer at various sustainability
initiatives in Copenhagen
• Work on projects to make DIS a
more sustainable community
• Host family, cultural immersion
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Student Quotes
“The Sustainability in Europe program has given me a
completely new perspective on what is possible in terms of
renewable energy, community support, transportation systems
and many more aspects of the environmental movement.
Denmark is one of the best places to go if you want to
experience and learn about a country that has successfully
implemented sustainable initiatives into society.”
Lauren Hoerr, Elon University, Fall 2011
“Sustainability is an integrated part of the Danish
culture. There are so many innovative ideas that have
been implemented here that we can all learn from. The
DIS sustainability program is unique in that it shows so
many different initiatives in a hands-on way. If you want
to study sustainability, DIS is the place to do it!”
Lily Fayerweather, Connecticut College, Fall 2011
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Copenhagenize – biking culture
A new government was elected and formed in Denmark last week.
The leader of one of the coalition parties, Margrethe Vestager , on
bicycle to the official visit with the Queen
10.10.2011 · Studying Sustainability Abroad
Thank
Insertyou for
your
attention!
Title of
Presentation
Anette Birck
[email protected]