IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GREEN UNIVERSITY CONCEPT IN THE CONTEXT OF PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   Mariupol State University, Bulatova O. , Mitiushkina K. ,   Mariupol State University, Кoshman D. ,   Mariupol State University
Published: June 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the role of education in the implementation of the principles of sustainable development, in particular, determining the place of higher education institutions of Ukraine in achieving the goals of sustainable ecologically balanced development. It is proved that the introduction of the concept of a "green" university is a prerequisite for raising the environmental awareness of citizens and the quality of life in general. The goals of education in the field of sustainable development are systematised. The role of internal university stakeholders in the promotion and practical implementation of the green university concept is determined; a comparison of the green office model and other sustainable development initiatives is made. It is determined that the forms of organisation of the green office and the format of interaction between students, teachers and university staff cause the emergence of relevant risks that affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the green university concept. Measures for the practical implementation of the green university concept are proposed, which, on the one hand, make universities more sustainable, and on the other hand, promote the development of environmental education and research, and the practical implementation of the principles of sustainable development. Education is the foundation of everything in the modern world, including the environment. Universities have always had a significant impact on the development of society as centres of scientific and social progress. As a result, their role in the process of implementing all the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN is constantly growing. The implementation of the green university concept is one of the current trends in the development of the world's leading higher education institutions. Important components of implementing the green university concept are approaches to organising infrastructure activities based on the principles of green office management. The practical experience of European universities allows minimising the relevant risks by specifying the functionality of the respective green office. The holistic institutional approach used in implementing the green university concept through the establishment of a green office, whose activities are focused on relevant creative projects, enables a real transformation in society. The Green Office model is an important centre not only in terms of developing the social responsibility of students who can become relevant agents of change, but it is also an important component of the practical implementation of the third - pro-social - function of a modern university (CIVIC university). To implement the concept of a green university in practice, the article recommends measures that, on the one hand, make universities more sustainable, and, on the other hand, promote the development of environmental education and research, and the practical implementation of the principles of sustainable development. Keywords: sustainable development, environmental education, environmentalization of education, green office, concept of "green" university.