IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i13p3664-d245453.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Competences to Address SDGs in Higher Education—A Reflection on the Equilibrium between Systemic and Personal Approaches to Achieve Transformative Action

Author

Listed:
  • Jana Dlouhá

    (Environment Centre, Charles University, 16200 Praha, Czech Republic)

  • Raquel Heras

    (Institute of Educational Research, Universitat de Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain)

  • Ingrid Mulà

    (Institute of Educational Research, Universitat de Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain)

  • Francisca Perez Salgado

    (Department of Science, Faculty of Management, Science and Technology, Open University of the Netherlands, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands)

  • Laura Henderson

    (Environment Centre, Charles University, 16200 Praha, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Competence-oriented teaching that leads to the sustainable transformation of both the individual and society requires a holistic learning process that addresses the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural domains of learning in a balanced way. This article questions whether a personal dimension of competences (addressing the individual’s values, attitudes, and lived experiences) is relevant for higher education in addition to the systemic dimension (learning objectives emphasizing cognitive processes). A theoretical concept for analysing competence frameworks from this point of view was developed in a multi-step qualitative research process: two existing competence frameworks underpinning international ESD policies were compared and, based on the findings, an analytical tool to analyse competence dimensions was drafted as a two-dimensional matrix. This tool was tested on competence frameworks reported in the literature and on examples from practice in confrontation with related academic discussion. The analysis of sustainability competences with this tool illustrates the transformative dimension on a scale from holistic thinking through future orientation to achieving transformation, and the normative dimension that indicates the complementarity of the personal and systemic character of competences. The analysed competence frameworks include competences more or less evenly distributed in both dimensions; the competences in the socio-emotional learning domain were often associated with envisioning change and achieving sustainable transformation. As anticipating the future in an active way is relevant for sustainability-oriented HE programs, not only should this dimension of competences be afforded greater consideration, but pedagogies addressing the personal level should also be further investigated and implemented in HE.

Suggested Citation

  • Jana Dlouhá & Raquel Heras & Ingrid Mulà & Francisca Perez Salgado & Laura Henderson, 2019. "Competences to Address SDGs in Higher Education—A Reflection on the Equilibrium between Systemic and Personal Approaches to Achieve Transformative Action," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3664-:d:245453
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/13/3664/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/13/3664/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pedro Vega-Marcote & Mercedes Varela-Losada & Pedro Álvarez-Suárez, 2015. "Evaluation of an Educational Model Based on the Development of Sustainable Competencies in Basic Teacher Training in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Gisela Cebrián & Mercè Junyent, 2015. "Competencies in Education for Sustainable Development: Exploring the Student Teachers’ Views," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Lindsey MacDonald & Mike Shriberg, 2016. "Sustainability leadership programs in higher education: alumni outcomes and impacts," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 6(2), pages 360-370, June.
    4. Francisca Pérez Salgado & Joop De Kraker & Jo Boon & Marcel Van der Klink, 2012. "Competences for climate change education in a virtual mobility setting," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(1), pages 53-65.
    5. Yosef Jabareen, 2008. "A New Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Development," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 179-192, April.
    6. Silvia Albareda-Tiana & Salvador Vidal-Raméntol & Maria Pujol-Valls & Mónica Fernández-Morilla, 2018. "Holistic Approaches to Develop Sustainability and Research Competencies in Pre-Service Teacher Training," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, October.
    7. Rodrigo Lozano & Michelle Y. Merrill & Kaisu Sammalisto & Kim Ceulemans & Francisco J. Lozano, 2017. "Connecting Competences and Pedagogical Approaches for Sustainable Development in Higher Education: A Literature Review and Framework Proposal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-15, October.
    8. Ian Thomas, 2014. "Special Issue—Pedagogy for Education for Sustainability in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-4, April.
    9. Jordi Colomer & Laura Serra & Dolors Cañabate & Teresa Serra, 2018. "Evaluating Knowledge and Assessment-Centered Reflective-Based Learning Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, September.
    10. Rodrigo Lozano, 2014. "Creativity and Organizational Learning as Means to Foster Sustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(3), pages 205-216, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Andreja Abina & Tanja Batkovič & Bojan Cestnik & Adem Kikaj & Rebeka Kovačič Lukman & Maja Kurbus & Aleksander Zidanšek, 2022. "Decision Support Concept for Improvement of Sustainability-Related Competences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Wendy L. Arteaga-Cedeño & Miguel Á. Carbonero-Martín & Luis J. Martín-Antón & Paula Molinero-González, 2022. "The Sociodemographic-Professional Profile and Emotional Intelligence in Infant and Primary Education Teachers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Ronald Venn & Paquita Perez & Valerie Vandenbussche, 2022. "Competencies of Sustainability Professionals: An Empirical Study on Key Competencies for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, April.
    4. Rosa Nidia Tuay-Sigua & María Rocío Pérez-Mesa & Yair Alexander Porras-Contreras, 2023. "Teachers’ Ideas and Educational Experiences Regarding Urban Environmental Sustainability in Bogotá, Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Esther García-González & Rocío Jiménez-Fontana & Pilar Azcárate, 2020. "Education for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals: Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions and Knowledge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Alexander Martín-Garin & José Antonio Millán-García & Iñigo Leon & Xabat Oregi & Julian Estevez & Cristina Marieta, 2021. "Pedagogical Approaches for Sustainable Development in Building in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
    7. Marcel Bassachs & Teresa Serra & Remigijus Bubnys & Dolors Cañabate & Jordi Colomer, 2022. "Multimodal Approaches to Math and Physical Education within Cooperative Learning to Enhance Social Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    8. Luis Alípio Gomes & Tânia Suely Azevedo Brasileiro & Sandra Sofia F. S. Caeiro, 2022. "Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions in the Amazon Region: A Case Study in a Federal Public University in Western Pará, Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, March.
    9. Kifah Imara & Fahriye Altinay, 2021. "Integrating Education for Sustainable Development Competencies in Teacher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    10. Lucía Martínez-Virto & Begoña Pérez-Eransus, 2021. "The Role of the Public University of Navarre in Achieving the 1st SDG for the End of Poverty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, August.
    11. Bankole Osita Awuzie & Amal Abuzeinab, 2019. "Modelling Organisational Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Implementation Performance in Higher Education Institutions: An Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-18, August.
    12. Andreja Abina & Bojan Cestnik & Rebeka Kovačič Lukman & Sara Zavernik & Matevž Ogrinc & Aleksander Zidanšek, 2023. "Transformation of the RESPO Decision Support System to Higher Education for Monitoring Sustainability-Related Competencies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    13. Christine Vatovec & Haley Ferrer, 2019. "Sustainable Well-Being Challenge: A Student-Centered Pedagogical Tool Linking Human Well-Being to Ecological Flourishing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-8, December.
    14. Rosa-María Rodríguez-Jiménez & Pedro J. Lara-Bercial & María-José Terrón-López, 2021. "Training Freshmen Engineers as Managers to Develop Soft Skills: A Person-Centred Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.
    15. José M. Peiró & Vicente Martínez-Tur & Nanja Nagorny-Koring & Christoph Auch, 2021. "A Framework of Professional Transferable Competences for System Innovation: Enabling Leadership and Agency for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-30, February.
    16. Alexis Rampa & Yiorgos Gadanakis & Gillian Rose, 2020. "Land Reform in the Era of Global Warming—Can Land Reforms Help Agriculture Be Climate-Smart?," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-24, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kifah Imara & Fahriye Altinay, 2021. "Integrating Education for Sustainable Development Competencies in Teacher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Rocío Valderrama-Hernández & Fermín Sánchez-Carracedo & Lucía Alcántara Rubio & Dolores Limón-Domínguez, 2019. "Methodology to Analyze the Effectiveness of ESD in a Higher Degree in Education. A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-27, December.
    3. M. Teresa Fuertes-Camacho & Mariona Graell-Martín & Mariana Fuentes-Loss & M. Carmen Balaguer-Fàbregas, 2019. "Integrating Sustainability into Higher Education Curricula through the Project Method, a Global Learning Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-25, February.
    4. Arantza Rico & Elena Agirre-Basurko & Aritz Ruiz-González & Igone Palacios-Agundez & Daniel Zuazagoitia, 2021. "Integrating Mathematics and Science Teaching in the Context of Education for Sustainable Development: Design and Pilot Implementation of a Teaching-Learning Sequence about Air Quality with Pre-Service," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, April.
    5. Esther García-González & Rocío Jiménez-Fontana & Pilar Azcárate, 2020. "Education for Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals: Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions and Knowledge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Xiaodan Zhou & Ling-Hsiu Chen & Chin-Ling Chen, 2019. "Collaborative Learning by Teaching: A Pedagogy between Learner-Centered and Learner-Driven," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-14, February.
    7. Rodrigo Lozano & Maria Barreiro-Gen & Francisco J. Lozano & Kaisu Sammalisto, 2019. "Teaching Sustainability in European Higher Education Institutions: Assessing the Connections between Competences and Pedagogical Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, March.
    8. Mirjam Braßler & Martin Schultze, 2021. "Students’ Innovation in Education for Sustainable Development—A Longitudinal Study on Interdisciplinary vs. Monodisciplinary Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    9. Janna Niens & Lisa Richter-Beuschel & Tobias C. Stubbe & Susanne Bögeholz, 2021. "Procedural Knowledge of Primary School Teachers in Madagascar for Teaching and Learning towards Land-Use- and Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-36, August.
    10. Silvia Albareda-Tiana & Salvador Vidal-Raméntol & Maria Pujol-Valls & Mónica Fernández-Morilla, 2018. "Holistic Approaches to Develop Sustainability and Research Competencies in Pre-Service Teacher Training," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, October.
    11. Carmen Solís-Espallargas & Hortensia Morón-Monge, 2020. "How to Improve Sustainability Competences of Teacher Training? Inquiring the Prior Knowledge on Climate Change in Primary School Students," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-17, August.
    12. Marcel Bassachs & Teresa Serra & Remigijus Bubnys & Dolors Cañabate & Jordi Colomer, 2022. "Multimodal Approaches to Math and Physical Education within Cooperative Learning to Enhance Social Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    13. Gemma Tejedor & Jordi Segalàs & Ángela Barrón & Mónica Fernández-Morilla & M. Teresa Fuertes & Jorge Ruiz-Morales & Ibón Gutiérrez & Esther García-González & Pilar Aramburuzabala & Àngels Hernández, 2019. "Didactic Strategies to Promote Competencies in Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-24, April.
    14. Sílvia Albareda-Tiana & Esther García-González & Rocío Jiménez-Fontana & Carmen Solís-Espallargas, 2019. "Implementing Pedagogical Approaches for ESD in Initial Teacher Training at Spanish Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-19, September.
    15. Gisela Cebrián & Mercè Junyent & Ingrid Mulà, 2021. "Current Practices and Future Pathways towards Competencies in Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-9, August.
    16. Lukas Scherak & Marco Rieckmann, 2020. "Developing ESD Competences in Higher Education Institutions—Staff Training at the University of Vechta," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-19, December.
    17. José M. Peiró & Vicente Martínez-Tur & Nanja Nagorny-Koring & Christoph Auch, 2021. "A Framework of Professional Transferable Competences for System Innovation: Enabling Leadership and Agency for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-30, February.
    18. Vasiliki Kioupi & Nikolaos Voulvoulis, 2019. "Education for Sustainable Development: A Systemic Framework for Connecting the SDGs to Educational Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-18, November.
    19. Ana-Inés Renta-Davids & Marta Camarero-Figuerola & Juana-María Tierno-García, 2020. "Assessment of the Quality Education Awareness Competence of Pre-Service Educators Using Vignettes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-18, December.
    20. Francisco Zamora-Polo & Jesús Sánchez-Martín, 2019. "Teaching for a Better World. Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals in the Construction of a Change-Maker University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-15, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3664-:d:245453. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.