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Sustainable education in mbo: working together for the future

This year's MBO Symposium 'Sustainable Thinking & Doing' offered more than just an inspiring day; it was a celebration of hope, cooperation and decisiveness within the MBO. From administrators to students, from teachers to sustainability coordinators: everyone contributed to the shared goal of structurally embedding sustainability in education.

The power of collaboration 

Simone Fredriksz (Albeda director), who co-hosted the symposium with Giuseppe van der Helm (director of Learning for Tomorrow) opened, stressed the need for courage and fun in tackling the great challenges of our time. "It is fun to work on the difficult tasks we have. This message was not only the thread of the day, but also a core principle of the SustainaBul: working together makes even the biggest challenges manageable. 

Learning through experimentation 

Keynote speakers Maurijn Odé and Menno Wierdsma inspired the audience with their vision of inquiry-based work as the basis for sustainable education. "Sustainability is never finished," they argued, and that means a transition to a different way of learning and working. They emphasized the importance of soft KPIs and soft skills, which prove crucial precisely in dealing with the uncertainties and chaos that come with transitions. 

Students as a driving force 

Students played a key role during the symposium. They not only served a vegan lunch and presented a sustainable fashion show, but also took the stage for the presentation of the SustainaBul MBO. Former Albeda student Lavita Werner performed an impressive self-written song about a livable world, a powerful plea for sustainability.
Ilse van 't Hazeveld and Eren Yeniyayla, both active in the Green Office of ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland, symbolized the power of students to realize change within their institutions. In addition, the vice president of JOBmbo emphasized in his speech the importance of actively involving students in making courses and the school as a whole more sustainable. "We play a big role in making our society more sustainable, so don't just teach us about sustainability, but let us participate and critically examine sustainable options in our professional field." As one of the students present said, "We are not just the future, we are the present. We want to make a difference now." 

Hopeful steps in sustainability 

Strengthening sustainability in MBO requires an integrated approach, such as the Whole School Approach. This approach integrates sustainability into all facets of an educational institution: from curricula and operations to collaboration with businesses and the local community. 
Curriculum changes are only effective if teachers are included in them, local businesses are involved in innovative solutions, and schools make sustainability visible in their own operations. Staff also needs administrative support and a clear vision to make real strides. 

Concrete insights emerged during the workshops: 

  • Engage students actively: Initiatives such as peer-to-peer learning and challenge-based learning not only make students more knowledgeable, but also emotionally engaged in sustainable topics. This helps them not only learn about sustainability, but also to contribute actively, both within the school and in their future profession. 
  • Support teachers and leaders: Space and ownership are essential to weave sustainable education into existing curricula. Facilitate inspired colleagues by freeing up time and resources to transform their ideas into put into practice. 
  • Bridge the gap between policy and practice: Cooperation between management and shop floor can be improved through mutual understanding and commitment. Here, local needs and practical questions from companies can serve as a starting point. 
  • Flexibility and continuity: Collaborations with external parties require a balance between agility and long-term commitments. Invest in relationships, set shared goals, and regularly reflect on progress. 

 The workshops emphasized that sustainability is not only about knowledge and skills, but also about creating emotional commitment among students and staff. By collaborating broadly and giving everyone an active role, MBOs can not only make sustainability internally, but also make a regional impact. 

SustainaBul MBO: a moment of growth and development 

The SustainaBul MBO is an annual benchmark that supports MBO institutions in their development in the field of sustainability. By participating, schools gain insight into their strengths and areas for improvement, which helps them make targeted and practical progress. Giuseppe van der Helm, director of Learning for Tomorrow, emphasized during the symposium, "It's not about winning, but about continuing to grow and learn from each other." 

This year, Albeda was again named the leader, in recognition of their clear vision and strategy on sustainability. At the same time, the benchmark showed where opportunities remain for other institutions - and for Albeda as well: integrating sustainability into internships and didactics requires focused action. 

A key lesson from the SustainaBul is that sustainability is not just about curricula. The connection to business and practice-based education also plays a crucial role. For example, MBO institutions score well on sustainable housing, but themes such as biodiversity and cooperation with business lag behind. This underscores the need for a broad, integrated approach. 

As such, the SustainaBul offers MBO institutions not only a mirror, but also inspiration and tools to continue taking steps toward a more sustainable future. 

Reflection and looking ahead 

The symposium showed that the mbo plays a crucial role in the transition to a sustainable future. The commitment of students, the cooperation between education and business, and the willingness to experiment give reason for hope. As one participant noted, "Sometimes it feels like you're not moving forward, but when you look back, you see how much has already been accomplished." 

These types of meetings and initiatives not only work toward a more sustainable MBO, but also to sustainability in professions and a sustainable society. Together, we are taking the next step. 

 Join the sustainable movement in mbo 

Want to get started on sustainability in the mbo yourself? We offer you three ways to build on it: 

  1. Participating in the SustainaBul MBO
    Find out how your institution can grow in sustainability and learn from other schools.
    SustainaBul MBO
  2. Join our network
    Become a member of Cooperative Learning for Tomorrow or join the MBO for Tomorrow network. Together we strengthen sustainable education.
    Join us
  3. Requesting Presentations
    Curious about the symposium keynote or insights from the workshops? Request the presentations. Mail to amber@lerenvoormorgen.org

 

🎥 created by Kalynda Haaf
📸 created by Wouter van Leeuwen

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