Engaging Communities for Sustainability

The key focus of this unit is to prepare and empower participants to work with communities in a variety of contexts to achieve effective learning and action for environmental sustainability. The unit covers the range of key sustainability issues important for communities, at local and international levels, including reducing environmental impacts on water, waste management, greenhouse gas production and biodiversity. Students will explore contemporary approaches for engaging communities to achieve productive, equitable and effective change for sustainability. Further, the unit emphasises developing appropriate approaches to community sustainability, given the diversity of contexts and challenges and interconnections between community development issues. In this context, the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) are critically appraised with particular focus upon the standpoint and perspectives of First Nations communities. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon their engagement in a practical community and sustainability project.