Sustainable Development and HEFCW Higher Education Academy Conference Edinburgh, 24 January 2006 Alyson Thomas, Senior Economic Development Manager, HEFCW
Policy Context Government of Wales Act (1998) – National Assembly for Wales assumes unique responsibility for SD Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainable Development Scheme (2000): A Sustainable Wales – Learning to Live Differently Sustainable Development Action Plan includes a commitment to education for sustainable development Wales Spatial Plan (2004) - sustainable futures for communities and regions UK Government’s SD Strategy (2005): Securing the Future
Welsh Assembly Government consultation Education for Sustainable Development – A Strategy for Wales To cover all sectors (school, youth, FE and WBL, HE, adult and continuing education) September to December 2005 HEFCW input: Ready to respond but need debate on Level of “direction” Costing and phasing The UK context (partnership approach)
HEFCW Corporate Plan commitment By 2010 HEFCW “will have enabled the [Welsh HE] sector to embed sustainability in its overall strategic planning to ensure that in all aspects of their activities HEIs deliver sustainable impacts, as measured by the various plans requested from HEIs by the Council”.
HEFCW’s responsibilities WAG remit letter: To support implementation of Sustainable Development Action Plan (through ESD Strategy - when published) To mainstream principles of SD into the way business in conducted (eg estate management, procurement processes, programme activities)
HEI Strategies and Plans Institutional Strategic Plans HEIs asked to address Welsh Assembly Government duties towards, among other things, sustainable development Some evidence of embedding: eg “ SD is one of six organisational principles/values underpinning the strategic plan of the new university” Third Mission Strategies Covers HEIs’ contributions to economy, society, culture HEIs asked to reflect broad sweep of WAG policy Again, evidence of sustainability drivers: eg “ key to our strategy is to promote in a sustainable manner a comprehensive approach to community regeneration” (post 92 HEI) Estates Strategies Due in 2006; similar approach to be adopted
Examples from HE sector Courses and modules (PG/UG) - eg environmental sciences; environmental sustainability; practical sustainability, etc, etc Research centres – eg Institute of Environmental Sustainability (UW Swansea); Aber BioCentre; Sustainable Environment Research Centre (Glamorgan), etc New collaborations - eg Wales Energy Research Centre; strategic research operations Embedding – eg “Education for sustainable development and global citizenship: towards an integrated approach in North Wales” (project at UW Bangor)
Other activities/1 HE Academy – reminder of HEFCW’s involvement in WAG agenda; work with Wales Adviser HEPS evaluation (Cardiff University was a partner) SIGnet Group Forum for the Future – high level briefings for Wales? Science Strategy for Wales – SD intrinsic in its 3 strands: health developments low carbon energy systems enabling sustained economic and social renewal
Other activities/2 NAO Wales report on energy management in the HE sector – specific criticisms Partnership Agreement with the Carbon Trust (development and dissemination of best practice; bespoke consultancy services on specific energy/water issues) Work with EAUC – to identify energy best practice Specific funding allocation to HEIs – to meet immediate legislative requirements (in discussion)
Taking the agenda forward Expectations of remit letter Requirement for HEFCW to define its engagement with SD agenda more clearly WAG ESD Strategy must therefore be soundly based Need clarity on role of HEFCW and HEIs in, arguably, 3 areas: Addressing green/environmental issues Embedding SD across HEI strategic planning Delivering financial sustainability in all of this Working with HEIs – what it means in practice; addressing concerns
Contacts Dr Alyson Thomas Higher Education Funding Council for Wales tel: Gabriel Jezierski Senior Adviser (Wales) Higher Education Academy tel: