Description
The project responds to a gap on the educational and research market within the social sciences environment, with the aim to creating a specialization module proposing ideas of sustainable development in the context of QoL, based on innovative teaching methods using new technologies and practical application of knowledge by establishing partnerships with business and non-academic institutions - active partners at key stages of the of the project. The project sets up a platform for exchange of experience and knowledge (principles of building partnerships, their promotion, the website providing free access to all the project materials), also responding to the needs of prospective employers and educational needs of students. Therefore, the project improves the quality of education by promoting the idea of sustainable development, especially in the social and environmental aspects (also taken into account at every stage of the project) and implementing the principles of good governance.
Summary of project results
The project was a response to the lack of educational materials related to social aspects of sustainable development. The analysis of the educational materials at the secondary school level in Poland showed that the curriculum covering sustainable development is a) focused mainly on the issues of environmental protection (to the exclusion of other aspects of sustainable development) and b) divided into many different streams (there is no single track devoted solely for the problems of the social aspects of sustainable development). The survey of the students’ needs conducted among the first year students of sociology at the University of Lodz showed that they lack knowledge about social aspects of sustainable development and the role of private companies, public administration, and NGOs in achieving the goals of sustainable development. The project’s objective was achieved to a full extent, as it filled the gap in knowledge about the social aspects of sustainable development among secondary school students and university students identified in the early stages of the project. The project prepared the new curriculum of a specialization for the students of sociology that deals with the social aspects of sustainable development. The curriculum was prepared in close collaboration with the partners from the business world, public administration, and NGOs. Two textbooks were prepared that will be used in the future while working with sociology students. The main beneficiaries of the project were the students of sociology at the University of Lodz. The project’s outcomes included: 1 course on “Social aspects of sustainable development”, delivered for 11 students of sociology. 1 course of 4 study visits at the partners’ venue and 1 lecture by the partner at the University of Lodz, delivered for 13 sociology students. These study visits allowed the students to gain a unique perspective on the practical challenges connected with attaining goals of sustainable development in the day-to-day practice of private enterprises, public administration, and NGOs. 1 workshop “Quality of Life and Sustainable Development. Diagnosis – Strategy – Implementaion” – which was delivered for 14 sociology students. The workshop was organized by the project team from the Department of Sociology. The project partners were actively involved in the preparation and delivery of the workshop.
Summary of bilateral results