With sustainability being on the minds of many these days, schools and universities with a global student demographic have a unique opportunity to really make a difference. Here we focus on how to engage international students in green projects to encourage a sense of community and environmental responsibility.
One excellent starting point for environmental engagement comes in the form of community clean-ups. These events are a great way to show that your school cares about your local environment and to encourage others not to drop litter. They not only provide immediate, visible results, but they also foster teamwork and help raise awareness about local environmental issues. Consider organising a monthly community clean-up event and encouraging students to participate.
While clean-ups are impactful, there are many other ways you can involve students in environmental projects. Here are some ideas:
Encourage students to lead projects that make your campus more environmentally friendly, such as:
Leverage the diverse backgrounds of international students to create awareness campaigns about global environmental issues. This could include hosting cultural exchange events focused on environmental practices from different countries or creating social media campaigns to share environmental tips and information.
Last but not least, connect with local environmental groups to provide students with opportunities to:
If you diversify the environmental engagement opportunities your school offers, you can cater to various student interests and skills and ensure broader student participation. Why not start off with a community clean-up around your school area and later expand to more complex initiatives? Follow this Sustainable Wednesday series for more eco-friendly tips!
Written by Stephanie Clark