The establishment of a Scientific Education Unit for the Active Citizen and Sustainability serves the needs of supporting the sustainability educational environment and active citizenship, as defined in the Study Program “Active Citizen Actions”. In this context, the actions of the active citizen aim at sustainability, as described in the 17 Goals of Sustainable Development of the United Nations Organization. Active Citizenship is a prerequisite for Sustainability. Education for sustainability and active citizenship is called upon to include collective actions of the educational community that make school appealing, promote the quality of life and increase the sense of belonging to the environment and the society. The ultimate goal of this new eco-social educational environment is to integrate all education into sustainability.
The actions for the active citizen are aimed at achieving political self-activity, that is, the ability to exert positive influence on the collective future, providing the members of the educational community with the potential to become change factors through actions that affect their present and future. Students are invited to reflect on creating inclusive visions, a more sustainable future and work together to challenge an existing situation in order to improve it.
To achieve the above objectives, the mission of the Scientific Education Unit for the Active Citizen and Sustainability is:
- The support of active citizenship actions towards a holistic approach (whole school approach): awareness, diffusion and involvement of the whole school community in the context of sustainability and active citizenship.
- The utilization of active citizenship actions in the learning process with ultimate goals:
a. the acquisition and enhancement of skills (knowledge, skills and attitudes) and
b. the enrichment of Study Programs and Skill Development Programs. - The exchange of ideas, experiences and good practices through communication and networking of school units, education executives, school leaders, members of pedagogical groups K.E.PEA., science universities, institutions (e.g. local organizations and NGOs), local government, etc.
- The evaluation and utilization of factors that facilitate and improve the actions of an active citizen as well as the identification of possible difficulties with a target to overcome them. Ultimate goal would be the formulation of suggestions and interventions for the optimum action application.
- The implementation of scientific conferences, seminars, workshops and events presenting good practices/actions of teacher and student groups.