At Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), we believe that sustainability is not just something you learn about, it is an integral part of how we learn, not just what we learn. We might agree that what matters most is to inspire and engage students to shape a society that cares for the planet, where sustainability challenges touch every profession, every industry, every decision.
We’re a team of educators from across our academies, representing diverse disciplines, perspectives, and approaches, united by a shared ambition: to bring education as sustainability to life in meaningful practice. We believe that when educators from different fields come together, something powerful happens: we discover new ways to weave sustainability thinking into the very fabric of learning.
This website showcases our evolving approach to integrating sustainability across all our curricula. If you came looking for rigid toolkits or step-by-step instructions, you might find yourself presented with a different invitation. What you’ll find instead are living examples, designed to spark creativity and adapt to your unique context.
You will discover learning paths and educational materials that do more than transfer knowledge, they invite students to engage with real-world dilemmas (context), explore their own values, and develop their capacity to act (consciousness).No matter what your field is, you’ll discover approaches that bridge sustainability with topics relevant to your area(s) of interest.
As the saying goes, words create worlds. The words we choose shape the way we think, and the way we think shapes what we do. That’s why we’ve been intentional about the words we choose and the concepts we emphasize. You’ll find a Glossary that explains our terminology; not because there’s only one “right” way to talk about sustainability in education, but because using intentional language is welcoming and invites a diversity of perspective and helps us have better conversations about our shared goals.
As you explore these materials, we invite you to reflect: What works in your context? What challenges do you face? How might these approaches adapt to your unique situation? Your expertise and experience are essential to bringing these ideas to life in ways that truly resonate with your students.
Our ambition is to focus on both what we teach and how we teach it: addressing the pressing issues of sustainable transitions while creating space for reflection, dialogue, and critical inquiry. Because let’s be honest: lecturing about sustainability isn’t enough. Students need to experience it, question it, and find their place within it.
You know your students, your context, your curriculum better than anyone. These materials are here to inspire and guide, not dictate. Take what resonates, adapt what fits, reimagine what could work better for your situation. Our approach empowers students to discover how they, as future professionals, can contribute meaningfully to shaping a more just society and a healthy planet.
Ready to explore? Whether you’re designing a single lesson or reimagining your entire curriculum, whether you’re just starting your sustainability journey or looking to deepen your approach, we hope this platform supports you to take that next meaningful step.
The content of this platform centers around two interconnected learning journeys that come together to support holistic sustainability education. In Context (ILO1), we explore how students can ground their understanding of climate and sustainability in real-world issues. In Consciousness (ILO2), we focus on how students develop their own evolving role in addressing sustainability challenges, exploring their own values and crafting their personal and professional identity as engaged citizens of a changing world.
Let’s explore together what context and consciousness can offer you.
Welcome to “A History of Sustainable Development,” a series of seven short videos exploring key events and policy decisions from the late 1970s to today. Covering topics like the industrial revolution, planetary limits, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), these videos aim to make the subject engaging for students and educators.
Go to our page with the video series and learn more.