The first, or rather one of the first, lectures on sustainability introduced us to Dennis Meadows and his report to the Club of Rome entitled "Limits to Growth". In 1972, it was the world's first simulation analysis of the feedback effects between economic growth, environmental pollution, renewable resources, population development and industrial capacity, which has been regularly updated ever since. It showed that the earth's growth limits could be reached in 100 years if humanity continues to produce, consume, multiply and use resources at the same rate as at that time. Dennis Meadows' study was one of the most important impulses for the development of the concept of sustainable development. In addition to the "Limits to Growth", Dennis Meadows is also known for developing numerous simple and complex simulation and role-playing games. Their aim is to raise awareness of the issue of sustainability. One of the best known is "Fish banks".
The Baltic University Program, whose regional center has been based at the HSZG since 2003, held its "Teachers Competence Training" this year under the motto "Steps to a Sustainable Future" in cooperation with Dennis Meadows. Three applicants from the Ecology and Environmental Protection specialist group qualified to take part and were able to benefit from Dennis Meadows' experience and knowledge for a whole day.
In very concise lectures and by means of various games, Dennis Meadows triggered "aha-effects" and self-awareness in the participants of the training, who had come to Uppsala University in Sweden from 12 different European countries. In addition, Prof. Meadows was available during the breaks for personal discussions about individual class / course topics and questions from the participants. Inspired by this day, on the second day of training the participants developed, during thematic "World Café's" a professional-methodical exchange about their own teaching developed. Not only were experiences exchanged, but ideas for cooperation were also developed.
The "Workshop on educational games" with Prof. Meadows can be viewed here:
The lecture by Prof. Meadows "The Myth of Technology including panel debate" is available here:
media.medfarm.uu.se/play/video/5007/
Further information on the event can be found here:
www.balticuniv.uu.se/index.php/presentations
TheCO2 emissions caused by the flights were personally offset by our university representatives via atmosfair .
Photos: HS, Jana Brauweiler
Contact:
Markus Will,Dipl.-Ing. (FH)
Faculty of Mathematics/Natural Sciences
Phone: 03583 61-1759
Mail:m.will(at)hszg.de