Soul Economy

I read an interesting article recently highlighting initiatives being implemented by universities overseas to support fairtrade. I was inspired when reading this as I feel that it is so important to educate our youth on these matters, even though reports show that Gen-Y already recognise the need to be socially responsible. I like to view these initiatives as part of the overall need to become more sustainable, and really like the definition given by the Sustainability Leadership Institute:

“Sustainability can be described as each of us doing our part to build the kind of world – economically, environmentally and socially – that we want to live in, and one that we want our children and grandchildren to inherit. It means becoming aware of all interconnections – visible and invisible – in which our day-to-day choices affect the intricate balance of social, economic and ecological systems.”

Soul Economy was pleased to learn that universities in Australia are also taking an active role in improving their sustainability performance and in educating students to do the same. Macquarie University (MU) is taking positive steps and has established a Sustainability Office. As an alumni of Macquarie’s business school, MGSM, I was very pleased to learn this and attended MU’s Sustainability Fair last month. A wide range of exhibitors attended, along with great bands and speakers, plus there were workshops and Circus Solarius entertainers to add to the fun. While there, I had the opportunity to meet more wonderful fairtrade and organic companies. I even came across the company “Rentachook” – where you to rent a chicken for a month or more enjoy freshly laid, free range eggs each day.

I enjoyed sitting in the sun, sipping on my fairtrade coffee and learning about the sustainability initiatives being implemented by Macquare University. There are 15 aspects that MU are working on to improve their sustainability performance, plus they are implementing some really interesting policies and plans such as having their GSE students develop a model to measure the Footprint of the University.

It would be great to hear from you about initiatives other universities, both in Australia and overseas, are undertaking to improve their sustainability peformance.

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