Development and dissemination of joint practices
The task of TAMK’s Sustainable Development Working Group is to highlight the sustainable development viewpoint and support introduction of sustainable practices in all TAMK operations. In 2022, the working group members were Eija Syrjämäki (coordinator), Eveliina Asikainen, Eeva-Liisa Viskari, Saana Raatikainen, Maria Maljanen, Sampo Saari and student representatives Olli Hämäläinen and Saara Vartia.
The focus of sustainability and social responsibility work was on demonstrating the whole community’s competences, dissemination of good practices, systematisation of practical measures and continuous development.
Dissemination of practices and demonstration of competences had a strong role at TAMK Conference in February, its theme being Sustainably at TAMK. The 35 conference presentations showed that TAMK’s education, research and development as well as everyday practices support the UN’s sustainable development goals and social responsibility in many ways. The presentations can be found in the conference publication including articles in Finnish and in English.
We also had the chance to present TAMK’s education-related sustainable development competence at Unifi and Arene Sustainability and Responsibility Seminar in November. The seminar was organised by Tampere University and TAMK together.
An important step in systematisation of sustainable practices was certification of the Facilities Management’s environmental management system EcoCompass in April 2022. Building of the system brought consistency and systematism to chemical and waste management practices. Arene’s model became established in TAMK’s carbon footprint calculation.
Our environmental work has started well. – Saana Raatikainen, Facilities Management’s environmental coordinator
We also participated in open discussions on project-related sustainable development at the public events organised by Tampere Hall. The discussion themes were sustainable food system, sustainable development education and biodiversity loss.
The sustainable development theme was strongly emphasised in the curriculum work in 2022. One of its viewpoints was sustainable development. We strengthened our educational cooperation related to sustainable development by joining the Climate University network. The network consists of 27 Finnish higher education institutions. TAMK’s teachers have access to professional online materials on sustainable development and climate themes.
The sustainable development group members also represent TAMK in other cooperation networks, such as Arene’s sustainability and responsibility group and the City of Tampere’s climate partnership group.
Text: Eveliina Asikainen, Senior Lecturer & Eija Syrjämäki, Senior Adviser
Editing: TAMK Communications
Photos: Saara Lehtonen