Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) is taking part in the pilot run of Responsible Futures International, an accreditation and supported change programme. Participation and leadership in this pilot demonstrates Mykolas Romeris University’s strong commitment to embedding sustainability and social responsibility across the formal and informal curriculum in partnership with students.
Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University commented:
“As the future leaders, thinkers, creators and innovators of society, students are consistently expressing their dedication to sustainability practices inside and outside university community. Their enthusiasm and commitment remind us daily that sustainable development is more than important part our institutional strategy, it‘s a shared vision, co-creation hand in hand with our students. MRU aims to learn from International Association of Universities and UK partners their best practices on how to support and empower students to learn, act and lead sustainability actions based on the whole-institutional approach, ensuring that every decision, action we make contributes to a more sustainable and prosperous future for our community, country and the world.”
Since its launch in the UK in 2014, 35 institutions have worked with their students across take part in Responsible Futures, demonstrating their commitment to creating an environment where education for sustainable development can thrive. Students Organising for Sustainability and the International Association of Universities are now partnering to deliver a Responsible Futures international pilot, working closely with a small group of invited institutions, including Mykolas Romeris University and 6 other institutions across the globe to co-create the programme, including an international framework of good practice, ahead of a wider launch at the end of 2024.
The cohort of institutions will work closely with their students throughout the year to engage with the framework of good practice, effecting changes to teaching and learning at the top-down, middle-out and bottom-up levels. Students Organising for Sustainability and International Association of Universities will provide support throughout the year, including opportunities for network learning between institutions and their students. At the end of the pilot year, there is an opportunity to undergo a student-led audit to determine Responsible Futures accreditation. For more information on the Responsible Futures international pilot, please visit our site: https://www.sos-uk.org/project/responsible-futures
Yuliana Shuhani, Student of Mykolas Romeris University said:
“Exciting times ahead! As a student at MRU, I couldn't be more enthusiastic about our university's participation in the Responsible Futures International Pilot. It's not just an event; it's a transformative journey that promises to shape the very essence of our educational experience. I firmly believe that this endeavor will empower MRU students like me to become catalysts for change, equipping us with the knowledge and skills to lead sustainable lives and contribute to a more environmentally conscious society. It's a step towards creating a better, more equitable, and more sustainable future for all.”
Quinn Runkle, Director of Education at Students Organising for Sustainability commented:
More than ever before we need university graduates who are equipped to tackle the world's greatest challenges. Over the past decade, Responsible Futures has supported UK universities in making significant progress to embed sustainability and climate justice in students' learning. The international framework, co-developed with the six pilot universities, will create a model which universities around the world can learn from. Higher education has a critical leadership role and responsibility to address the climate crisis and ecological emergency. In the face of these challenges, we are delighted to be working in partnership with the IAU and six incredible pilot universities to launch the international pilot of Responsible Futures.
Hilligje van’t Land, General Secretary of the International Association of Universities commented:
“The joint IAU and SOS UK Responsible Futures International Programme is an accelerator on the road to successfully working with sustainability at the whole institution and can help students, staff and leadership at universities work more closely together.”
For media enquiries, contact: Lina Gorbačiovienė, MRU Head of Communications Department, ligorb@mruni.eu.
About Students Organising for Sustainability
Students Organising for Sustainability is a student-led education charity focusing on sustainability. We know environmental sustainability cannot be achieved in isolation, so our work spans across issues of social justice and wellbeing as well.
Through our work we want to see...
- More students leading on, and learning for, sustainability.
- An education system repurposed around the climate emergency and ecological.
- Sustainability that is more inclusive, so it is for everyone.
About the International Association of Universities
The International Association of Universities (IAU) advocates for the role universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs) play in support of sustainable development, since the early 1990s. Already in 1993, the IAU Kyoto Declaration called for higher education leaders to articulate better HE’s work to achieve a sustainable future. This was reaffirmed in 2014 with the IAU Iquitos Statement. The IAU strongly advocates for the inclusion of higher education as a key stakeholder when it comes to achieving Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. The IAU was one of the Key Partners in UNESCO’s Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (GAP ESD 2014-2019), and is currently a partner to the follow-up initiative, the ESD for 2030 Global network.
The IAU’s strategic priority Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) includes surveys on HESD, the IAU Global HESD Cluster Network, specialised publications, the IAU HESD portal, representation at events and more around sustainability in higher education. See also: https://iau-aiu.net/, http://www.iau-hesd.net/