Sustainability Study Abroad
What is Sustainability?
In 1987, the United Nations defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability is a holistic approach that maintains a balance between economic, environmental, and social factors to ensure the well-being of current and future generations. Sustainability includes a wide range of issues, including climate change, biodiversity, resource use, social equity, and economic development.
Our natural resources are finite and are being depleted or polluted, and adopting sustainable practices has become more important than ever. We must find alternate ways to reduce our consumption of resources, minimize waste and pollution, and protect natural habitats and biodiversity. We must also ensure that economic development benefits everyone and not just a few. Sustainability is not an option but a necessity if we want to create a healthier and happier future for ourselves and the planet.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)
In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet and improve lives, today and in the future. They are targeted to be achieved by 2030. The UN SDGs are based on a vision that global development should leave no one behind. They provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable development that addresses economic, social, and environmental challenges holistically.
The UN SDGs can only be achieved by 2030 if all sectors—governments, businesses, NGOs, educational institutions, and the public—come together, get involved, and build partnerships to create a better future for everyone.
What does this mean for study abroad?
We are aware that education abroad means moving bodies overseas through emission-generating air travel. But we also believe that the benefits of students’ exposure to, immersion in, and education about critical global issues can create a good that balances it. Our world needs the next generation of leaders and citizens to understand and be deeply engaged with realities and challenges that other people and countries face, and to be inspired by solutions that other people and countries create.
Once our students are abroad, we support the UN SDGs through our programming and sustainable travel practices in the following ways (for more, see our Responsible Travel Policy):
- Carbon offsets for air travel built into program fee
- No single-use plastic policy
- Train travel wherever possible
- Using environmentally and socially sustainable suppliers onsite
- Incorporating sustainability and the SDGs in our academic coursework and all co-curricular activities
By embedding these practices, we ensure that sustainability study abroad programs align with global efforts to foster environmental responsibility and awareness.
An Overview of 17 UN SDGs
Authentica Is Committed To Advancing The UN SDGs
Sustainability is in our DNA.
Since its inception, Authentica has been committed to advancing the UN SDGs. We design and deliver our experiential learning programs in alignment with the UN SDGs. With less than a decade left to meet the SDGs, Authentica is dedicated to working proactively with institutional partners, participants, and local communities to support the achievement of these goals.
Within the field of education abroad, Authentica:
- has co-authored The Forum on Education Abroad’s Guidelines for Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Education Abroad.
- sponsored The Forum’s Award for Advancing the UN SDGs through Education Abroad for institutions that have made significant progress towards the SDGs through education abroad.
- is a member of CANIE, a volunteer grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around t1he world who see the need for our sector to step up and act on climate. CANIE serves as a platform to bring the sector together to act as a catalyst for action.
Search Sustainability Study Abroad Programs by SDG
The students of today are the leaders, citizens, and changemakers of tomorrow. That’s why all of program offerings incorporate and seek to advance one or more SDGs. Explore our sustainability study abroad programs based on where you want to make an impact.
- SDGs
- Program Type
- Discipline
- Location