1. Prof. Dr. Clemens Mader Leuphana Universität Lüneburg October 2012 ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY PROCESSES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ Analysis by application of the Graz Model for Integrative Development

2. LEARNING TARGETS Understanding of the larger context of the sustainability process of the University of Graz Understanding the Graz Model for Integrative Development, its principles and applicability Analysis of the integrative connections of the sustainability process at the University of Graz by application of the Graz Model Independent application of the Graz Model in unknown development processes Reflection on development processes and the role of integrative thinking 2

3. Facts of the University of Graz: Founded in 1585, Austria's second oldest university About 30,000 students and 3,800 employees 6 faculties and 76 institutes: Faculty of Catholic Theology Faculty of Law Faculty of Business, Economic and Social Sciences Faculty of Natural Sciences Faculty of Arts and Humanties Faculty of Environmental, Regional and Educational Sciences More than 100 study courses 3 University of Graz 2012

4. MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ About 20 years ago, the first initiatives were taken to raise awarenes for research and teaching for the benefit of society Today, the University of Graz is regarded as a pioneer in the field of sustainable higher education development in Austria and in Europe.  How has this been achieved? What are the interrelations between activities and initiatives of the last few years? 4

5. MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - EDUCATION 5 Environmental System Sciences in curriculum 2003 Virtual Campus for a Sustainable Development (VCSE) 2005 Lectures, excursions, intergenerational courses... MSc Interdisciplinary Gender Studies 2007 Joint MSc program Sustainable Development 2008 MSc Erasmus Mundus Industrial Ecology 2011 MSc Sustainable Urban and Regional development 2007

6. MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - RESEARCH 6 Sustainable urban and regional development Human rights ICTeESD 2010-2012 (a selection...)

7. MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - MANAGEMENT 7 oikos Graz student organization 2002 Task Force “Sustain. University of Graz” 2004 RCE Graz-Styria 2006 University bike stations 2007 Sustainability Coordinator 2008 Faculty of Environ- mental & Regional Sciences & Education 2007 Institutionalisation of RCE Graz-Styria 2009 COPERNICUS Alliance 2009 Climate neutral University of Graz 201 1

8. MILESTONES FOR A SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ - OUTREACH 8 Children University “KinderUni” 2004 RCE Graz-Styria 2006 Sustainability Trail 2008 Sustainability website 2008 Sustainability Award 2008 Dual Career Service 2011 Mobility4ALL 2012

9. METHODE – The Graz Model for Integrative Development The Graz Model for Integrative Development supports you in: holistically reflecting, evaluating, planning and further developing sustanability processes. Based on this model, development processes can be monitored from the vision to the implementation. 9

10. 10 The Graz Model for Integrative Development The following five principles present core elements for integrative development processes: Leadership & Vision Social Network Partizipation Education and Learning Research Integration (Mader, 2009). The five principles are further divided into three levels. Mader 2009

11. APPLICATION OF THE GRAZ MODEL The Graz Model has been applied to various processes: Global RCE-Network: for annual reporting and assessment Regional Development: urban development in Malmö (Western Harbour), New York City (PlaNYC 2030), city of Graz, Eco-region Kaindorf Organizations/Institutions: University of Graz, UN Global Compact Austria, COPERNICUS Alliance, One World Foundation in Sri Lanka Enterprises: Sekem Group, Zotter chocolates, studienaktie.org 11

12. THE SUSTAINABILITY PROCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – by application of the Graz Model for Integrative Development 12 Mader, C., 2009

13. SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – LEADERSHIP & VISION Leadership in terms of sustainability is always carried out on different levels of management and by different persons In 1991, students initiated the development of a degree programme for Environmental System Sciences Increased activity since 2001: Vice-rector for studies and teaching and the student organization oikos (  top-down & bottom-up) Development of a shared vision of a sustainable university (activities like sustainability library, sustainability newsletter, conferences, lecture series, … ) Building of partnerships and networks, e.g. COPERNICUS 13

14. SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – SOCIAL NETWORK Extensive network of active participants Sustainability-Task-Force with stakholders having different backgrounds such as management, research and education – trying to develop innovative ideas to further develop a sustainable university (e.g. sustainaility reports) Networks with diverse initiatives such as Masters program Global Studies, sustainable urban and regional development; research in the field of climate, human rights, education for sustainable development, system sciences, student organizations oiko, AIESEC, USW Networks of different universities or external networks: Sustainability4U (cooperation on sustainability of the 4 Universities), COPERNICUS Alliance Other cooperations like ÖKOPROFIT 14

15. SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ PARTICIPATION Constant effort to make it possible for interested parties to participate and co create platforms that ecnourage participation such as: Students can become an active member in the organization oikos Graz Platforms for scientific and administrative employees such as the research group 'Sustainable University of Graz', the Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) Graz-Styria or the COPERNICUS Alliance 15

16. SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – EDUCATION & LEARNING Education plays an important role in the develpment of competences and the transmission of values for sustainable development Various activities in the field of teaching such as degree programs for environmental system sciences, global studies, industrial ecology, sustainable development, sustainable urban and regional development and teaching methods such as interdiciplinary trainee programs, transdiciplinary teaching, excursions, etc. Various actors, activities and a transformational development, such as the networks Sustainability4U or the European training center for human rights, encourage generative learning where people cooperate to work on different projects. 16

17. SUSTAINABILITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ – RESEARCH INTEGRATION A holistic perspective is required when doing research on sustainability to tackle fundamental questions of environment, economy and society Transdiciplinary research is a key contribution to sustainability (mutual learning processes, society oriented, participatory, interdiciplinary, …) In 2002, the University of Graz carried out the Archduc Johann case study: intended transdiciplinary approach on the revitalization and development of iron ore More transdiciplinary approaches in research (development of a mission statement in Leoben and Weiz, mobility concept Mobility4U – a cooperation of the 4 universities in Graz) and in teaching (project Sustainicum, interdisciplinary trainee programs, courses with regional actors,...) 17

18. PrinciplesLevel 1Level 2Level 3 Leadership Administration: of current projects and university courses Transactional Leadership: sustainability-coordinator Transformative Leadership: Sustainable University of Graz – varaious actors cooperate to create a vision Social Network Information networks: Mailing lists, etc. Knowledge networks: The research advisory bord of the COPERNICUS Alliance exchanges knowledge and contributes to further development Innovation networks: Sustainability4U – high level of trust between the partners that share a vision Participation Information: on current activities: oikos newsletter Consultation: evaluation of university courses Decision making: All actors can initiate activties. Platforms are for example oikos Graz or the research group Sustainable University of Graz Education and Learning Single-loop learning: Layout of the sustainability report is further developed. Double-loop learning: Vision of the RCE has been reflected and adapted Generative learning: Intergenerational and transdiciplinary teaching supports the understanding of systems and the taking of initiatives. Research integration Disciplinary: Basic research as a basis for inter and transdisciplinary research Interdisciplinary: research illustrates systems interrelations Transdisciplinary: Mobility4U: Mobility concept of all 4 universities in Graz 18 Mader et al. 2011 Sustainability at the University of Graz – Overview of the Graz Model for Integrative Development

19. CONCLUSION The results of the analysis of the sustainability process of the University of Graz by application of the Graz model indicate a transformative approach. A broad range of stakeholders contribute on different levels and by different activites to a vision for a sustainable University of Graz → a long-term strategy could not be determined, however, this leaves room for creativity that can be used in new developments. Future challenges: raising awareness among employees and students, cooperating with regional stakeholders. 19

20. REFLECTION & DISCUSSION Which ascpects are essenctial for a sucessful stustainability process at universities? How can sustainability activities at universities be encouraged? Which contributions can students make? Which initiatives should be taken by the University of Graz to strengthen its reputation of a sustainable university? Which steps are necessary to promote sustainability at my university? 20

21. LITERATURE Mader, Clemens (2012) Sustainability process assessment on transformative potentials: the Graz Model for Integrative Development, Journal of Cleaner Production, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.08.028http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.08.028 Mader, Clemens, Mader, Marlene, Diethart, Mario (2011) Der Nachhaltigkeitsprozess der Universität Graz – analysiert durch das Grazer Modell für Integrative Entwicklung, S. 63-69; in: Zimmermann, Friedrich M. (Hrsg.), (2011) Nachhaltigkeit, Regionalentwicklung, Tourismus – Festschrift zum 60. Geburtstag von Friedrich M. Zimmermann, Grazer Schriften der Geographie und Raumforschung, Band 46, Universität Graz, 380 S. Zimmermann, Friedrich M., Risopoulos, Filippina (Hrsg.), (2009) Nachhaltigkeitsbericht Universität Graz 2008. Grazer Universitätsverlag, Leykam, Graz, 86 S. Zimmermann, Friedrich M. (Hrsg.), (2006) Nachhaltigkeitsbericht Universität Graz 2005. Universität Graz, 64 S. 21