А.А. Муравьева; О.Н. Олейникова

THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOLOGICAL AGENDA

Authors

А.А. Муравьева
О.Н. Олейникова

Keywords:

higher education, agency, international practice, environmental education, the ecological agenda in the education system, the role of universities, new competencies

Abstract

The article examines implementation of the ecological and sustainability agenda in the education system. The aim of the research is to propose ways of integrating ecological education in the holistic paradigm of lifelong learning embracing formal, non-formal and informal education for sustainable development. The methods used in the performed analytical research embrace the system-synergetic and integrative approaches relying on methods of the qualitative content analysis, comparative analytical method and elements of social engineering. Given the focus of the research on a certain aspect of human behavior, the interpretative analytical paradigm is employed. The novelty and theoretical contribution are reflected in the proposed concept of ecological agency synergizing ecological/environmental knowledge and competences, ecological culture and models of behavior appropriate for the paradigm of sustainable development. The practical use is conditioned by the proposed recommendations relating to fostering ecological agency that can be incorporated in the professional development courses for diverse higher education actors and in the practical development activities of universities

THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOLOGICAL AGENDA