Ideas are in four categories
Competences: valuing sustainability, supporting fairness, promoting nature
Competences: systems thinking, critical thinking, problem framing
Competences: futures literacy, adaptability, exploratory thinking
Competences: political agency, collective action, individual intiative
Caution!
Please, always make sure you follow your national regulation on copyrights. For example, you might need permission to watch an online video in the classroom.
For further ideas, solutions and tools, please, check the other fout VET sectors.
Embodying sustainability values
Competence: Valuing sustainability
Based on a science-based understanding of inner development and its role in fostering a sustainable future, the IDGs framework helps educators name, understand, and communicate the essential changes needed to embed sustainability values in business practices. The toolkit includes a collection of freely accessible practices and methods that facilitate the collective development of these crucial skills.
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Competence: Valuing sustainability
This master’s program, offered completely online, is a pioneering initiative focusing on education for sustainable development to address the urgent ecological crises faced by our planet. No fees are charged for EU and EEA citizens, Swedish residence permit holders and exchange students.
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Competence: Valuing sustainability
This engaging video is a valuable resource for educators aiming to instill sustainability values in business education by highlighting the importance of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” mantra. The video teaches students a variety of practical and creative ways to minimize waste, repurpose household items, and recycle materials effectively, all of which contribute to preserving the environment and promoting a greener future.
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Competence: Valuing sustainability
Learn their language. Get perspectives of other generations. (how dit we get here?)
Competence: Valuing sustainability
The game facilitates a process of exploration, enabling students to shift perspectives, make meaningful connections, and uncover innovative solutions for sustainable development.
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Competence: Valuing sustainability
This method encourages critical thinking, creativity, and systems thinking, empowering students to embrace sustainability as a core value in their decision-making processes. As students visually connect sustainable practices and ethical considerations, they are better equipped to shape responsible and sustainable business models that align with their values and contribute to a more sustainable world.
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Competence: Valuing sustainability
It is easier to discuss about feelings and values. However this might be restricted by curriculums where the teacher is allowed to do only teaching in front of the group.
Competence: Valuing sustainability
Using practical examples and opening the process for students (e.g. distribution channels) is important when getting to know the topic.
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Competence: Valuing sustainability
Build your personal brand
Competence: Valuing sustainability
One time you can start discussion with the idea “You can’t say I don’t care or I don’t know” you have to have an opinion. Discussion is the best way and the first thing of couriging students to regognize and think about their own values.
Competence: Valuing sustainability
How to create a no-fear environment? Create a line where there are two ends of the attitude of (perhaps ) one topic. Then students go to stand on the line, showing how near or far they are from the attitude.
Competence: Supporting fairness
The case study titled “Banana Bread from Rescued Bananas” showcases a business model that embodies sustainability values and supports fairness in the food industry. This case study encourages students in business education to explore how innovative and socially responsible business models can create positive change while fostering fairness and inclusivity in the food industry. Through this case study, students can learn about the importance of rethinking the way businesses operate and the role of consumer choices in driving positive societal and environmental impacts.
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Competence: Supporting fairness
The documentary investigates allegations of exploitation and poor working conditions faced by laborers in Brazil, who are crucial to making the country the world’s top supplier of orange juice. It encourages students to reflect on the ethical implications of their purchasing choices and to consider the significance of supporting businesses that prioritize fair treatment, worker rights, and improved working conditions throughout their supply chains. By using this tool, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of global supply chains and the necessity of promoting fairness and justice in business practices.
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Competence: Supporting fairness
Each “thinking hat” represents a different viewpoint, such as
- Facts and information (White Hat)
- Emotions and feelings (Red Hat)
- Positive aspects and opportunities (Yellow Hat)
- Negative aspects and risks (Black Hat)
- Creative ideas and possibilities (Green Hat)
- Critical judgment and evaluation (Blue Hat)
By donning each hat in turn, students learn to view sustainability challenges from multiple angles, considering ethical implications, social justice, worker rights, and environmental impact. The tool empowers learners to cultivate empathy and understanding, fostering an appreciation for diverse perspectives and the importance of fairness in decision-making processes.
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Competence: Supporting fairness
The song’s powerful lyrics envision a world of unity, peace, and social equality, making it a compelling tool to instill empathy and inspire positive change. Through this musical experience, learners delve into the theme of fairness and its significance in creating a sustainable future. They reflect on the impact of economic systems, social structures, and business practices on fairness and social justice.
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Competence: Promoting nature
This checklist empowers students and professionals to create environmentally conscious and sustainable workspaces that support nature and ecological well-being. The checklist encourages learners to assess their current office practices, identify areas for improvement, and adopt nature-oriented strategies to minimize environmental impact.
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Embracing complexity
Competence: Systems thinking
Circula is an engaging and gamified learning tool that immerses players in the world of circular economy, where they explore the interconnections between responsible business practices, sustainable lifestyles, and environmental conservation. Players will learn to analyze the complexities of circular economy models, identifying feedback loops, interdependencies, and potential impacts of decisions on various stakeholders.
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Competence: Systems thinking
Topaasia revolves around the concept of sustainable development, which means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Through the deck of cards focused on sustainable development themes, players explore complex scenarios, dilemmas, and solutions related to business practices and their impact on the world.
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Competence: Systems thinking
In the Shopping Bag game, participants, acting as shoppers, are presented with a shopping bag containing 13 different products. The goal is to consider the environmental impact of each product and sort them into two piles: one for environmentally friendly choices and the other for products that harm the environment. Through this activity, players explore the complexities of sustainable consumption and analyze how their choices can influence the environment and create waste.
Competence: Systems thinking
In the Waste Sorting game, players are presented with various products and are tasked with sorting them into designated containers that represent different waste categories (e.g., recyclables, compostables, landfill). The activity encourages participants to think systematically about the impact of their waste disposal choices and how they can contribute to reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
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Competence: Systems thinking
The “Circular Canvas” encourages students to analyze the entire system surrounding their business idea, considering economic viability, ecosystem impact, and sustainability.
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Competence: Critical thinking
Develop a series of thought-provoking questions related to complex business scenarios. Use the Kahoot platform to create a quiz with the critical thinking questions you developed earlier. Add multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, and even open-ended questions to challenge students to think deeply about the issues. After each question, take a moment to discuss the answers and reasoning behind them.
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Competence: Critical thinking
Circula is an engaging and gamified learning tool that immerses players in the world of circular economy, where they explore the interconnections between responsible business practices, sustainable lifestyles, and environmental conservation. Players will learn to analyze the complexities of circular economy models, identifying feedback loops, interdependencies, and potential impacts of decisions on various stakeholders.
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Competence: Critical thinking
By using the video, students can critically analyze human behavior, communication patterns, and decision-making processes through the lens of Transactional Analysis. The video offers insights into understanding the underlying reasons behind repeated behaviors and empowers students to think critically about their own actions and reactions in various business scenarios.
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Envisioning sustainable futures
Competence: Futures literacy
The film follows Evelyn Quan Wang’s journey through parallel universes, where she discovers the consequences of her choices and the impact they have on her family and the world. the movie prompts students to explore the concept of sustainability and the interconnectedness of actions and decisions. It encourages them to envision a sustainable future for business and society by understanding the implications of their choices.
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Competence: Futures literacy
The book encourages students to explore the intersection of sustainability and business, fostering a mindset that values creativity, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Each career showcased in the book relates to preserving and improving life on Earth, highlighting the importance of sustainability in shaping the future of various industries.
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Competence: Futures literacy
It is a powerful undercover investigation video that sheds light on the unethical labor practices within SHEIN, the world’s largest fast fashion brand. It can be used to facilitate discussions and critical reflections on the fast fashion industry’s impact on workers’ rights, fair wages, and work-life balance.
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Competence: Adaptability
Educators can use this case study to emphasize the shift from ownership to access-based models, such as the “Light as a Service” concept. Students can explore how businesses can adapt to changing market demands and environmental concerns by focusing on long-term performance, durability, and resource reduction.
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Competence: Adaptability
“Earth Overshoot Day” is an annual milestone that marks the date when humanity has consumed more natural resources than the Earth can regenerate within a year. Educators can use this milestone to foster discussions on the concept of ecological overshoot, the impact of human activities on the environment, and the urgent need for more sustainable practices.
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Competence: Exploratory thinking
The “Country Comparison tool” allows students to explore the collective mental programming of different countries, influencing their patterns of thinking and societal institutions. The tool enables students to compare country scores and recognize that cultural differences exist not only between countries but also within them, highlighting the need for nuanced and context-specific approaches to sustainability in business. Educators can prompt discussions on how cultural awareness and sensitivity can drive more effective marketing, product development, and supply chain management strategies.
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Acting for sustainability
Competence: Collective action
The case study of The Ocean Cleanup exemplifies the power of collective action in addressing global environmental challenges, specifically plastic pollution in our oceans. Students learn the importance of collaboration, determination, and collective effort in addressing complex sustainability challenges and fostering a cleaner, healthier planet.
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Competence: Collective action
At the heart of the Climate Clock is a countdown clock that displays the critical time window for reaching zero emissions, referred to as the “Deadline”, while also tracking progress on key solution pathways known as “Lifelines”. By visually representing the urgency and importance of climate action, the Climate Clock effectively frames the critical mission of achieving a rapid and just transition to a safe climate future. It highlights the need for decisive action and puts climate change at the forefront of public attention, driving people and communities to act in unison to address the pressing environmental crisis. It demonstrates how art, technology, science, and grassroots organizing can collaborate to inspire global change and create a sense of urgency in addressing the climate crisis. Students are encouraged to be proactive advocates for climate action, fostering a sense of responsibility and solidarity in the global movement for a sustainable and resilient future.
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Competence: Individual initiative
“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” is a powerful and inspiring film that portrays the true story of William Kamkwamba, a young Malawian boy who, in the face of adversity, harnesses his creativity and determination to bring sustainable change to his community. This film serves as a compelling example of how individual actions can have a profound impact on addressing environmental challenges. It inspires students to believe in the power of their ideas and actions, emphasizing that anyone, regardless of age or background, can contribute to creating positive environmental change.
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Competence: Individual initiative
This canvas enables aspiring entrepreneurs to envision and develop sustainable business models that address social and environmental challenges while ensuring economic viability. It encourages students to consider the social and environmental aspects of their business, such as resource efficiency, social impact, community engagement, and circular economy practices.
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Competence: Individual initiative
“The Climate Clock” is a simple yet impactful concept—a countdown clock that highlights the critical time window to achieve zero emissions (the “Deadline”) while tracking progress on key solution pathways (the “Lifelines”). By visually representing the urgency of climate action, the Clock compels individuals to prioritize and take tangible steps towards a safe and sustainable climate future.