Rien van Sprundel - Policy advisor Facility & Housing at Albeda
"MBO students are the participants in society who have to start giving sustainability hands and feet. Theory (coming up with SDGs and sustainable concepts) is important, being able to implement them in practice is even more important!
Initially we went to participate to get inspiration and to see where you are as an institution. Also what you can and should still do and how you can start with sustainability within the institution. The sustainable initiatives at Albeda have continued to develop in recent years and are further expanded and applied in daily operations, evaluated and improved each year. This ongoing process ensures that sustainability becomes a permanent feature within the business operations.
When we participated for the first time (2020), we found out while completing the questionnaires that many sustainable initiatives, mostly from intrinsic motivation of colleagues, were already being implemented within our organization. This insight was the starting point for developing the Albeda sustainability program. The examples of the other participants insinuated new initiatives and ways of working within our organization. It also helped give us direction when setting targets of KPIs.
What I would like to pass along to institutions that are not yet participating: Do it!!! The time you spend on it is definitely valuable if you want to advance sustainability in your institution!"
Netty Bonouvrié - Senior policy officer at ROC Rivor
"Education, including MBO, prepares young people for a life in society and in a world in which sustainability is of great importance in order to pass on a livable world to our children and grandchildren. It is therefore only logical that sustainability should be a part of every education. Of course, the school also has an exemplary role to play in terms of sustainability in its own operations. Reasons for us to participate are: inspiration, exchange experiences, app group where you can ask questions, and to keep the subject of sustainability on the agenda internally.
Over the past year we have been busy developing the vision, drawing up a project plan and setting up the project organization to implement the plan in the areas of education, personnel and operations. Some examples of sustainable steps we have taken are: installing "intelligent" thermostat controls, abolishing coffee/tea cups for staff and students (Bring your own cup), during Teacher's Day for all staff members an erasable notepad (paper notepads will no longer be ordered), GSA support center, and gender-neutral toilets.
In the decision-making process internally regarding the switch from cardboard cups to bringing your own cup, we had a lot to gain from the network. Another mbo institution had already researched the pros and cons and wanted to share that with us.
What I would like to pass on to institutions that are not yet participating: Come attend the first meeting and don't think that you are not yet ready to participate: just start, you can do so even small with 1 department, and take advantage of everything that has already been thought up and realized at other institutions."
