UNESCO Sustainability Competencies
The UNESCO Sustainability Competencies
interrelated
transversal
multifunctional
content-independent
key to achieving SDGs
map to Engineering AHEP 4 learning outcomes [with M1 underpinning all]
Ways of thinking
Systems thinking competency
Recognise and understand relationship [M2, M4]
Analyse complex systems [M2, M3, M4, M6, M12, M14]
Consider how systems are embedded within different domains and scales [M2, M15]
Deal with uncertainty [M2, M12, M14]
Anticipatory competency (future thinking)
Understand and evaluate multiple outcomes [M5, M17]
Create their own visions for the future [M5, M7, M9, M11]
Apply the precautionary principle (safety) [M9, M10]
Assess the consequences of actions [M9, M10, M11, M15]
Deal with risks and changes [M9, M10]
Critical thinking competency
Questions norms, practices and opinions [M4, M7, M13]
Reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions [M18]
Take a position in the sustainable development discourse [M5, M17, M18]
Ways of being
Self-awareness competency
Reflect on their own values, perceptions and actions [M18]
Reflect on their own role in the local community and global society [M16, M18]
Continually evaluate and further motivate their actions [M16, M18]
Deal with their feelings and desires [M16, M18]
Normative competency
Understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions [M8, M14, M16, M17]
Negotiate sustainability values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interests and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions [M11, M17]
Ways of practicing
Strategic competency
Develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainable development at the local level and further afield [M5, M16, M17, M18]
Collaboration competency
Learn from others (including peers, and others inside and outsidetheir institution) [M4, M16]
Understand and respect the needs, perspecives and actions of others (empathy) [M8, M11]
Deal with conflicts in the group [M16, M17]
Facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving [M16, M17]
Integrated problem-solving competency
Apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solutions that utilise appropriate competencies to solve problems [all 18 AHEP 4 Learning Outcomes]