The Kazakh-German University in Almaty (DKU) organized a training workshop on Sustainable Lifestyles for Universities as part of the project “Sustainable Lifestyles at the Universities of Central Asia and the Caucasus.” Supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Tbilisi, Georgia, the workshop took place on March 14-15, 2024.
During the event, Azerbaijan Technical University was represented by Natavan Namazova, head of the Institute of Sustainable Development. At the meeting, attendees shared international and regional best practices regarding sustainable lifestyles. Discussions also revolved around potential collaborative actions aimed at fostering the development of sustainable lifestyles in the region. The ultimate goal was to contribute positively to the ongoing advancement of sustainable living practices within the community.
This project, initiated in October 2022, aims to advocate for sustainable lifestyles among youth and educational institutions in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The Sustainable Lifestyles Round Table convened to facilitate the sharing of international and regional best practices, foster meaningful discussions, and explore innovative strategies for integrating sustainable lifestyles within universities in the Caucasus. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to the advancement of sustainable living practices in the region.
Key outcomes of the round table include:
1. Enhanced understanding of sustainable lifestyles and the concept of “green nudges” among universities in the Caucasus.
2. Participation in and feedback on the outcomes of green jobs market analysis and assessments of sustainability education needs and gaps in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
3. Motivation among Caucasus universities to join the Sustainable Lifestyles University Network and commit to its Activity Plan until 2025.
This training workshop served as a pivotal platform for sharing best practices, fostering meaningful dialogue, and exploring innovative strategies for embedding sustainability within Caucasus universities. It also marked the beginning of further UNEP sustainability research and pilot initiatives in the region.
