More than 60 academics, professionals and experts from Universities, relevant Ministries and NGOs from Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Montenegro, Morocco, occupied Palestinian territory, Tunisia, Turkey, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands participated in a two-day intensive course on how Mediterranean University curricula should effectively address the Horizon 2020 priority areas (municipal solid waste, urban wastewater, industrial emissions and of course environmental integration).
More than 60 academics, professionals and experts from Universities, relevant Ministries and NGOs from Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Montenegro, Morocco, occupied Palestinian territory, Tunisia, Turkey, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands participated in a two-day intensive course on how Mediterranean University curricula should effectively address the Horizon 2020 priority areas (municipal solid waste, urban wastewater, industrial emissions and of course environmental integration).
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA) organised and hosted the workshop with the support of the Network of Mediterranean Universities for Sustainable Development (SD) in Athens, Greece on 12-13 December 2011 within the framework of the EU funded H2020 Capacity Building/Mediterranean Environment Programme.
The workshop aimed at informing Mediterranean Universities and relevant institutions on Horizon 2020, in order to enhance their involvement in the project and identify the needed modalities and synergies that will help in achieving its short and long-term objectives. The workshop included extensive brainstorming sessions aimed at optimising University collaboration schemes in the region and the revision of curricula, particularly through the prism of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
Commenting on the immediate follow-up to the workshop, Prof. Radouane Mrabet, Rector of the University Mohammed V – Souissi in Morocco, confirmed that he will proceed in the establishment of an inter-university committee to examine the incorporation of ESD principles and methodologies in the curricula and through this the H2020 priorities.
The workshop also included a session and exercise on the contribution of Mediterranean Universities to the implementation of the soon to be in place Mediterranean Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development. Indeed the workshop deliberated on the draft Strategy, which once adopted, will allow the countries involved in Horizon 2020 to move faster towards adopting the principles of Education for Sustainable Development as already laid out in the UNECE’s strategy in the field, which is also the European Union’s Strategy on ESD.
The workshop culminated in an event dedicated to the official announcement of the “Charter for the Sustainable Greek University” which has been adopted by all Greek Universities in 2011.
