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education

Creating opportunities to connect the dots

Jen Roders

It is important to bring things back to what people think is relevant. Perhaps a place that is special to them, what could affect that place? How could you positively or negatively affect that?

Jen Rodgers is the Sustainable Practice Adviser at Otago Polytechnic. We talk about her background, what led to her seeing education as a lever, and how she integrates advising on both operational sustainability and education for sustainability.

Talking points

I decided to go to Teachers College when I realised that I couldn’t save the world by myself.

If you can find out what people are interested in, then you can start from there.

Opening people’s eyes to things perhaps outside their normal scope.

Sustainability is a journey not a destination.

Saying I don’t have all the answers gives the ability for others to do the same.

Be critically thinking about actions.

Think about things outside the immediate

It is important to have an idea of reality, be grounded and look at what is possible

It is important to bring things back to what people think is relevant. Perhaps a place that is special to them, what could affect that place? How could you positively or negatively affect that?

It is important for organisations to be in this space, yes it is political, and that is important.

Giving people the opportunities to connect the dots.

Communicating positive things that are happening, stories to inspire people.

Challenges, how do we enable people who are sitting on the fence, or on the other side of the fence thinking how is this of any relevance to me?

(Activist?) Yes, Activists are trying to change things, in general trying to do positive things

(Motivation?) Hope. Seeing that people can change, and look at things from different perspectives.

(Challenges) Working out what can be barriers for people to be sustainable practitioners – how to enable them?

(Miracle) Open minds.

(Advice?) Don’t be afraid to look at things, try some stuff, don’t get stuck in overwhelming doom.