Issues and Challenges in the Design of Sustainability for Curriculum using WUSA (World Universities Sustainability Assessment)

Abstract

Sustainability, which is influenced by the people’s values and culture, is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; which is among all is education (UNESCO, 2009). A decade into the twenty-first century, the world faces substantial, complex and interlinked development and lifestyle challenges and problems. The challenges arise from values that have created unsustainable societies. We need a shared commitment to education that empowers people for change. Such education should be of a quality that provides values, knowledge, skills and competencies for sustainable living and participation in society, (Bonn Declaration, 2009). Education is unsustainable as the curriculum has no element of sustainability. Sustainability is not an easy topic to understand and assess. Frequently asked questions on sustainability are as such, “What determines sustainability?”, “How to assess sustainability?”, “Is it possible to rate sustainability?”, “How to improve on sustainability?”. WUSA is an innovative approach to gauge sustainability throughout university within its SD-ESD model, which combines the ‘triple bottom line’ of sustainability, environment economy and society with the triple bottom line mission areas of universities such as teaching, research and community engagement.