education initiatives
Education initiatives are happening across the UK and around the world that focus on sustainability and fashion. Please find details of the project we know about below. If you know of another initiative that is not on our list please do let us know.
UK based organisations:
The Higher Education Academy - Education for Sustainable Development Project (ESD)
"The purpose of the ESD project is to help institutions and subject communities develop curricula and pedagogy that will give students the skills and knowledge to live and work sustainably."
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
"HEFCE has produced a database, Sustainable Development in Higher Education Resource Guide, to support the sustainable development work of universities and colleges in the UK. The database covers the following topics: Strategy, Biodiversity, Transport, Financial, Curriculum, Construction, Community, Water, Waste, Procurement, Carbon and Management."
The Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC)
"The EAUC seeks to work with members and partners to drive sustainability to the heart of further and higher education. The organisation shares information and best practice within its membership, and works within the sector to drive sustainability deeper into all aspects of universities and colleges."
"Practical Action have developed a comprehensive database of activities for design and technology, including issues around garment production. The resource is mainly aimed at pre-16 and further education instructors. Resources include design tasks, inspirational products, materials information, case studies, key issues and further information."
Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development (TRAID)
"TRAID is a charity working to protect the environment and fight global poverty through its clothes recycling, educational and campaigning activities in the UK. Their education department visits primary and secondary schools in and around London, as well as youth centres, holiday camps, church groups and other youth groups, throughout the calendar year."
"Antiform and Ketchup Clothing provide recycled fashion workshops, talks, lectures and short courses tailored to all levels, from community groups, youth groups and up to BA degree level."
Ethical fashion education around the world:
Austria: My Design. My Responsiblity.
"Südwind Agentur Südwind Agentur coordinate the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) in Austria, which is focused on improving working conditions in the global garment and sportswear industry and empowering the workers in it. The Südwind Agentur project Mein Design. Meine Verantwortung. (My design. My responsibility.) builds on the work of the CCC by working with fashion schools and fashion educators about social and environmental responsibility in the clothing industry."
The Netherlands: Fair Fashion
"Schone Kleren Campagne Fair Fashion: naar een eerlijke kledingindustrie (Fair Fashion towards a fair garment industry), is a Schone Kleren Campagne project designed for students at fashion colleges in The Netherlands. Fair Fashion focus on the social aspects of garment production and by doing so contribute to fairer working conditions for the workers that stitch our clothes. Fashion students have the opportunity and responsibility to design and do business in a fair way. Fair Fashion believe their responsibility lies therein to provide students with the tools and knowledge they need to discover their role in cleaning up the international fashion industry themselves. Hence their slogan: Upgrade your ethical fashion skills!"
Poland: Fashioning an Ethical Industry - Polish Humanitarian Organisation
"PHO raises awareness about the global dimension of our everyday purchases and the interdependency between countries of the North and South. As social and environmental responsibility in the garment sector is a new subject within Poland, the project has focused on developing a website in Polish, creating Polish versions of teaching materials from partner organizations and publishing translated reports, articles and fact sheets. They run training sessions for educators, students and volunteer trainers and make presentations at conferences."
USA: ESRAB (Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Business)
"ESRAB is a US based network of university tutors who generate & sponsor research on issues of social responsibility and innovate teaching methods for educating students about social responsibility in the apparel business. They maintain a database of academic research, disseminate information and seek funding to support continued research and teaching efforts on socially responsible apparel business."
Denmark: Center for Responsible Design
"A Danish organisation that supports the fashion and lifestyle industry in the areas of sustainable design and corporate social responsibility. The center focuses on small and medium-sized companies and students in the industry who will benefit their efforts to collect, create and communicate knowledge within the field."
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