Commissioned by Stichting Capital Amsterdam, Evelien Hoekman realized the website BeleggerUitlegger.nl to interest young people in economics and investing, and to provide teachers with teaching materials and suggestions. Greening economics education and green investing are part of this.
Evelien gauged attendees' knowledge using statements such as:
- All Economics teaching methods pay attention to Green Investing (incorrect)
- The United Nations has 17 goals and they are also called the SDGs (right)
- ESG stands for Environmental Social Governance (right)
- There is a green AEX (right)
- The Advertising Code Committee ultimately found Shell's advertisement: 'We're changing for a cleaner future' misleading (right)
- ING's shareholder meeting in 2023 was disrupted by Environmental Defense, members were carried out of the room (inaccurate)
'I have never come across the 17 SDGs in a textbook, especially in economics education,' Evelien said. 'Why aren't we talking about this? We can't force students to like something, but we can plant seeds. We can train them to make the world a little nicer.' She gave suggestions for engaging students in discussion. For example, using current news, with actual assignments or with a quiz with questions like the one above. 'If we throw out 20 percent of the fixed, old teaching models that have been the same for decades and add a behavioral economics section, then we can do the things we really care about.' More information can be found at InvestorUitlegger.com and for example social media.
'Being of value' workshop
'What if economics was not just about profits and losses, but also about a healthier planet?' That's what the economics team at mbo Menso Alting wondered last year. Economics teachers Jannick Jansen and Andre Roetman explained in the workshop "Being of Value," how they implement sustainability in economics education.
Mbo Menso Alting is a school with a Christian identity. 'Based on our vision of stewardship of the earth, we have the task of taking good care of it. Stewardship has everything to do with sustainability,' says Jannick. 'That is why we made a conscious decision to pay attention to this in our education.' Andre explained how in the mbo it is no longer about learning theory, taking exams and getting a diploma, but that nowadays they work with aptitude tests. With these, students have to show how they apply knowledge gained during their internship in practice. 'We have created the additional pathway line "sustainability,"' he explained. 'That means students have to demonstrate what steps they have taken in the area of sustainability.'
Sustainable Delevopment Goals
Teachers focus on four SDGs that align with the subject matter of economics education.
SDG 8, Decent work and economic growth
SDG 10, Reduce inequality
SDG 12, Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13, Climate Action
For inspiration, the economics team visited Kunststoffabriek RPP in Nieuwleusen. 'The company has sustainability as its number one priority,' Jannick told us. 'The building was built completely sustainably, everything was reused. This meant the construction took longer and the costs were higher, but this is their vision, this is what they stand for, this is what they think is important. It's a great, inspiring location that we want to give a place in education. There we can use working visits to make students more aware and interested in the subject.' And that is necessary, because the subject of sustainability is not at all on the minds of current students, Jannick and André said. 'They think of the term only in terms of solar panels, waste separation and electric driving. That's as far as you go.'
Preliminary stage
The entire project to bring sustainability into economics education is still in its early stages, but great strides have already been made. 'Students did a market survey at the Salvation Army in Meppel, to attract more younger customers to their center. For example, they recommended becoming active on social media and adjusting opening hours. Students found it a really fun assignment and the client was satisfied.' During an info night at school, products were sold for a Save a Child. And a Zipp-your-Lip campaign is being organized for World Vision. 'It's all about People Planet Profit,' Jannick said. 'In addition, the students get to work at their internship companies; for example, they investigate how they can make a sustainability change.'
Comments and tips workshop participants
Participants in the workshop included teachers from teacher training colleges in Rotterdam and Windesheim, as well as employees of education consultancy Day for Change and ikcirculeer. Those present praised the energetic and inspiring approach of mbo Menso Alting. In addition, ideas were exchanged:
- Social enterprises are also appealing to economics students: putting a sustainable initiative into the world in an entrepreneurial way, making an immediate profit. Especially in the circular field this can be lucrative: using someone else's waste as raw material for your own product. You add value, making an impact, and there is a big market for it: socialenterprise.co.uk
- Sustainability at an internship site can be very broad. It is not just about separating waste, but about social and ecological aspects, about purchasing, process, sales, logistics and housing. Day for Change has a tool for this, to make it manageable for MBO students.
- There are other schools working on this and teacher training programs are developing teaching materials. Perhaps looking around and working together is a good option.
- For inspiration: Carpet manufacturer Interface in Scherpenzeel is fully committed to becoming an environmental restoration company. Sustainability is part of all parts of the company.
- To get students to become aware and think differently in a positive way is The Hidden Impact of Babette Porcelijn a recommendation.
- 'Give this inspiring workshop to other teams internally as well!'
Jannick and André are pleased with the responses and input. 'We are proud of what we have already achieved but actually sustainability should just become a regular part of our education, it should become normal.'
[Photo: Samuel Wagner]
