GLAS Project checklist

1. GOOD LIFE AND SUSTAINABILITY: CHECK LIST FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
© VNB e.V. 2015
www.vnb.de
https://glasproject.wordpress.com
The GLAS - Good Life and Sustainability project has been funded with support from
the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author,
and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of
the information contained therein.
This check list may help to examine the state of your institution in four areas that are important for a good life: ecology, economy, social issues and development justice. It is based on a comprehensive set of indicators that has previously been published by VNB in 2005. Apart from checking your
organizational state you might use it to indicate additional needs, to initiate debates in your personal or organizational sphere, or simply to gain an overview on topics related to good life and sustainability in educational institutions, seminar houses, or other initiatives providing non-formal education.
Don’t forget to collect and record evidence to proof your degree of good life and sustainability!Please describe to each item how, and to which extent you have already reached your aims!
ECOLOGY
Reduction of Consumption
i.e.: recycled products - renewable resources –
water/power consumption – effective renovation
Efficient Use of Energy
i.e.: effective heating system – energy saving
illumination and devices – effective ventilation
Use of Green Energy
i.e.: hydro-/wind-/solar power – ecological fuels –
ecological hot water supply
Waste Management
i.e.: waste sorting and recycling – organic cleaning –
avoidance of waste intensive products
Composition of Grounds
i.e.: reduction of sealed areas – green roofs – use of
rainwater – local plants – organic fertilization
Mobility
i.e.: public transport availability – car sharing –
shuttle services – green cars – bicycle use
DEVELOPMENT JUSTICE
Use of Fair Trade Products
i.e.: assessment of fair trade products versus
organic and/or local products – use of fair trade
products where applicable – collective orders
Use of Local Products
i.e.: assessment of local products versus
organic and/or fair trade products – use of local
products where applicable – use of fruits and
vegetables during their regular growth cycles
Global Neighborhood Culture
i.e.: local, political, public commitment to a
culture of global neighborhood – co-operation
with partner organizations in the global South
– information of staff and/or customers about
developments owing to global relationships
SOCIAL ISSUES
Staff Empowerment
i.e.: staff member participation – structural
planning – management by objectives
Staff Development
i.e.: staff education programmes – appraisal
interviews – mutual workplace design
Social Inclusion/Integration
i.e.: accessible rooms, facilities and workplaces –
participatory approaches for socially
disadvantaged groups
Managing Diversity
i.e.: acknowledgement of gender equality and anti-
discrimination principles – promotion of equal
opportunities at workplace
Social Investment
i.e.: commitment to social, cultural and regional
matters – corporate social responsibility
ECONOMY
Sustainable Management
i.e.: sustainable (ecological, ethical) objectives –
sustainable criteria for cost-benefit analysis
Ethical Investment
i.e.: use of ethical accounts or banks –socially
responsible investment – avoidance of questionable
funds and investments
Strategic Management
i.e.: designation of strategic objectives – strategic
(environment, scenario, …) planning – SWOT analyses
Public Relations
i.e.: ethical, ecological and social marketing – internal
and external dissemination of sustainability goals
Health Promotion
i.e.: organic food and drinks – recreation opportunities
– accessibility – staff health assessment