Demonstrate the capacity to engage in sustainable practice and ethical decision making by critically balancing a range of social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors in a way that ensures ecological health, thriving society and individual wellbeing, now and for future generations.
The UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are integral to our Sustainable and Ethical Practices Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO). The 17 SDGs were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a blueprint for a better and more sustainable future. The goals focus on global challenges like poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. Key objectives include eradicating poverty, improving health and education, promoting gender equality, ensuring clean water and energy access, fostering economic growth, and addressing climate action. As nations look to reduce carbon emissions, mitigate against extreme weather events, develop technologies of the future, and ensure future generations have the same opportunities we currently enjoy, knowledge and skills to apply sustainable practices are critically important. Embedding sustainability in our curriculum enable students to develop and apply sustainability knowledge and values in their field. Organisations and governments are looking for graduates who can help facilitate this transition.
Ethics helps students frame, and reflect on, decisions. It is both a key component of professionalism and a fundamental requirement of good citizenship. When operating ethically, graduates are aware that we live in a diverse society with many competing points of view. It means being open-minded about the complex nature of our world.
Our wellbeing and that of our future generations depends on our ability to implement sustainable approaches and ethical practices in organisations and all other aspects of life. As our future leaders and contributors to a world worth living in, Charles Sturt graduates will help ensure we continue to have access to basic life sustaining resources and that the health of the planet is protected.
We recommend a graduated or tiered approach to implementing the Sustainable and Ethical Practice GLO. The GLO elements need to be made explicit through learning outcomes, assessments, and rubrics.
Engage with ethical and sustainable practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and those of the environment.
Exhibit ethical decision making and reasoning to environmental impact of technology use.
At least one course learning outcome that refers to sustainable and ethical practices.
Examples of teaching and learning activities that can be used to promote the development of sustainable and ethical capabilities include: peer learning, role plays, small group learning, case studies, practical classes, scenarios, simulated activities, volunteering, community engagement, and guest lecturers/tutors from the practice community.
Activities need to generate a respectful and collaborative culture that values reflection and the perspectives of others.
Assessment of this GLO needs to be explicit and contextualised. Activities that require students to demonstrate decision making in a professional context with consideration of sustainable practices and demonstration of ethical judgement in a professional context understanding in relation to the values intrinsic to the profession.