Sustainable Development at the Edge of Europe
In an ever-changing world, remote regions of Europe face unique challenges in achieving sustainable development. This comprehensive course delves into themes of social sustainability, environmental stewardship, and future resilience, providing educators and community leaders with strategies to adapt and thrive. Through a blend of theoretical exploration and practical field experiences, participants will gain insights into integrating sustainability into educational practices and community initiatives.
What You’ll Learn:
This course covers a wide range of topics essential for fostering sustainability in remote communities:
- Principles of Sustainable Development: Understand the intersection of environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
- Resilience in Remote Areas: Explore strategies to enhance adaptability in small schools and communities.
- Global Megatrends: Gain insights into future frameworks and their local impacts.
- Innovative Educational Approaches: Learn about distance learning and other methods ensuring educational continuity.
- Cultural and Biodiversity Conservation: Examine the role of heritage and natural resources in sustainable development.
Course Highlights:
- School Visits: Observe innovative practices at Parppei School and Upper Secondary School of Ilomantsi, and Tuupovaara Elementary School, focusing on distance learning and solutions for schools in precarious situations.
- Field Trips: Engage in hands-on experiences at Petkeljärvi National Park and the historical village of Möhkö to understand conservation and sustainable resource use.
- Cultural Exploration: Visit significant sites like St. Hannah’s Church to learn about the preservation of minority cultures and the role of education in maintaining cultural heritage.
- Workshops: Participate in interactive sessions designed to develop practical tools for problem-solving in remote communities.
- Community Engagement Strategies: Discover methods to foster community involvement in sustainability initiatives.
This course combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring you can immediately implement sustainable practices in your educational setting and community.
Upcoming courses
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Tickets
All tickets includes:
- Event materials
- Certificate of attendance
- School visits
- Admission to all sessions
Standard price
For standard registrations
Group price
Discounted price forgroups of 5 or more
By the end of this course, you will:
- Comprehend the core principles of sustainable development and their application in remote areas.
- Develop strategies to enhance resilience and adaptability in small schools and communities.
- Integrate sustainability concepts into educational curricula and community projects.
- Promote cultural preservation and biodiversity conservation within your region.
- Empower your community to engage in sustainable practices for a resilient future.
This course is ideal for school management, teachers, special education professionals, and other non-teaching experts and staff working in school education, adult education, and vocational education and training (VET), especially those operating in remote areas.
A former principal of Akaa Secondary School, she is currently studying futures studies at the University of Turku and works as a future coach. With experience as a biology and geography teacher, she has coordinated Comenius and Erasmus+ projects in various schools and served as the network coordinator for the Baltic Sea Project under the National Board of Education. As a Project Ambassador for the European School Heads Association (ESHA), she has been actively involved in ecological projects nationally and internationally, focusing on future education and equipping students with skills to address complex challenges like climate change.
This is a provisional program.
Day 1, Sunday
Arrival in Joensuu and transfer to Ilomantsi by bus.
Check-in at Hotel Pogostan Hovi.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2, Monday
Visit Parppei School and Upper Secondary School of Ilomantsi to explore distance learning and strategies for small schools.
Lunch in the village.
Presentation on megatrends, future frameworks, and the transition of Ilomantsi by Tuovi Ronkainen at Kalevala Hall.
Optional evening activity: Cultural walk to Kokonniemi burial ground.
Day 3, Tuesday
Visit Tuupovaara Elementary School to learn about education in a vulnerable municipality.
Lunch at Restaurant Virsuvaara.
Visit Tuupovaara Ullakko, a handicraft shop showcasing sustainable development businesses like surplus fabric clothing and handmade footwear.
Return to Ilomantsi.
Optional evening activity: Making traditional Karelian pies.
Day 4, Wednesday
Visit Petkeljärvi National Park for hiking and citizen science activities.
Lunch at the national park’s main building.
Visit Möhkö, a historical iron-producing village, and the Koita River Arboretum.
Return to Ilomantsi.
Optional evening activity: Wine tower visit to taste local award-winning products.
Day 5, Thursday
Visit St. Hannah’s Church in Sonkajanranta, learning about Finnish Orthodox heritage and minority culture preservation.
Lunch at Parppein Pirtti restaurant, featuring a traditional “Karelian table.”
Visit the Iljala community service center in Ilomantsi to explore local sustainability initiatives.
Optional evening activity: Bird watching or night animal observation.
Day 6, Friday
Presentation on peatland sustainability and forestry at Kalevala Hall, including the Suo 2.0 project by the University of Eastern Finland.
Field trip to peatlands and diverse forest areas.Lunch by the fire.
Afternoon activities: Fishing and sauna by the river, with pancakes and socializing.
Day 7, Saturday
Evaluation and networking session to summarize the week’s learnings.
Transfer to Joensuu.
