Sustainable development — what is it, what can I do about it, what can we do together?

A long-term work on attitudes. A project with an open deadline.

Martin Näse

martin.nase@kvarnen.fi

Kvarnen samkommun — Kronoby folk high school, Finland

Sustainable development — we want to refresh the perception of the concept and to deepen the understanding of it.

The actual goal is to implement various practical methods for informing and inspiring people.

We like to have an ongoing discussion about clever solutions and sustainable choices in consumption and daily life.

We operate in the sector of “Nordic liberal adult education”. The activities take place in a folk high school, an art school and a ”citizens’ institute”. The overall target area consists of five local communities with a total of approximately 100.000 inhabitants in two towns and three rural municipalities.

We want to reach our staff (50), students (300) and short course participants (1000 p.a.). Secondarily comes anyone whom these people get in contact with and therefore can have an influence on (families, friends, local communities, etc.).

We want to emphasize a positive attitude. Rather than pointing a finger at any unsustainable behavior, the project shed light on possibilities and potential.

The project should inform about global problems. But above all it should encourage optimism even about small possible improvements and potential rather than cause pessimism about giant threats.

Advancing in small steps is crucial. Progress and actual sustainability can be reached through small steps and small positive things inspiring a bigger target group. The project is about the ”awakening” of the everyday sustainable decision making.