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Education for sustainability : Sourcing inner qualities and capacities for transformation

Wamsler, Christine LU orcid ; Hertog, Iris Maria and Di Paola, Lucia (2021)
Abstract
The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals state that education is both an end and a means for achieving sustainable development. Currently, education for sustainability focuses on (assessing and addressing) the external world of ecosystems, wider socio-economic structures, technology, and governance dynamics. A major shortcoming of such approaches is the neglect of inner dimensions and capacities, which constrains education for sustainability as an end. In addition, such approaches do not facilitate reflection on the cognitive and socio-emotional processes underpinning people’s learning, their everyday life choices, and decision-taking, which constrains education for sustainability as a means. More integral approaches and pedagogies... (More)
The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals state that education is both an end and a means for achieving sustainable development. Currently, education for sustainability focuses on (assessing and addressing) the external world of ecosystems, wider socio-economic structures, technology, and governance dynamics. A major shortcoming of such approaches is the neglect of inner dimensions and capacities, which constrains education for sustainability as an end. In addition, such approaches do not facilitate reflection on the cognitive and socio-emotional processes underpinning people’s learning, their everyday life choices, and decision-taking, which constrains education for sustainability as a means. More integral approaches and pedagogies are urgently needed. This chapter advances related knowledge. It presents a reflexive case study of a Master’s level course on Sustainability and Inner Transformation (Lund University, Sweden) with respect to its transformative potential. The findings show that inner dimensions and transformation can be a vehicle for improved education for sustainability, and how this can be achieved in practice. Students’ accounts illustrate their transformative experiences and mindset shifts, which have profoundly changed their way of seeing themselves, others, and the world. The chapter concludes with some critical reflections on the lessons learned, and ways forward in education for sustainable development. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
sustainability
host publication
Revolutionizing Sustainability Education : Stories and Tools of Mindset Transformation - Stories and Tools of Mindset Transformation
editor
Ivanova, Ekaterina and Rimanoczy, Isabel
edition
1
publisher
Routledge
ISBN
9781003229735
9781032135380
project
The Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
61c9d6bf-3f6e-4e33-89da-471e3f2c8a71
alternative location
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003229735-6/education-sustainability-christine-wamsler-iris-maria-hertog-lucia-di-paola
date added to LUP
2021-02-07 23:30:54
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:45:40
@inbook{61c9d6bf-3f6e-4e33-89da-471e3f2c8a71,
  abstract     = {{The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals state that education is both an end and a means for achieving sustainable development. Currently, education for sustainability focuses on (assessing and addressing) the external world of ecosystems, wider socio-economic structures, technology, and governance dynamics. A major shortcoming of such approaches is the neglect of inner dimensions and capacities, which constrains education for sustainability as an end. In addition, such approaches do not facilitate reflection on the cognitive and socio-emotional processes underpinning people’s learning, their everyday life choices, and decision-taking, which constrains education for sustainability as a means. More integral approaches and pedagogies are urgently needed. This chapter advances related knowledge. It presents a reflexive case study of a Master’s level course on Sustainability and Inner Transformation (Lund University, Sweden) with respect to its transformative potential. The findings show that inner dimensions and transformation can be a vehicle for improved education for sustainability, and how this can be achieved in practice. Students’ accounts illustrate their transformative experiences and mindset shifts, which have profoundly changed their way of seeing themselves, others, and the world. The chapter concludes with some critical reflections on the lessons learned, and ways forward in education for sustainable development.}},
  author       = {{Wamsler, Christine and Hertog, Iris Maria and Di Paola, Lucia}},
  booktitle    = {{Revolutionizing Sustainability Education : Stories and Tools of Mindset Transformation}},
  editor       = {{Ivanova, Ekaterina and Rimanoczy, Isabel}},
  isbn         = {{9781003229735}},
  keywords     = {{sustainability}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  title        = {{Education for sustainability : Sourcing inner qualities and capacities for transformation}},
  url          = {{https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003229735-6/education-sustainability-christine-wamsler-iris-maria-hertog-lucia-di-paola}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}