The final segment of the University of Guam’s Center for Island Sustainability Conference brought together nine leaders in education to discuss how to achieve a sustainable, global future through quality education and building capacity.
While each of the officials hailed from different parts of the world — such as New Zealand, Arizona, Hawaii, and others –they had similar ideas for how to bolster education and better communities such as improving accessibility and encouraging diversity.
Dr. Thomas Krise, the president of the University of Guam, talked about the importance of building partnerships with institutions from other regions to tackle challenges dealing with sustainability.
“The notion of layered partnerships on issues of sustainability helps to build the capacity of our students, researchers, and communities to deal with all the many issues related to sustainability and to creating a sustainable society. It also allows us to make connections within our neighborhood to make connections to other neighborhoods,” Krise said.
Dr. Ka’eo Duarte, the vice president of the Hawaii-based Kamehameha Schools, talked about the concept of centering place and culture in education to enrich the relationship between students and their communities.
“The best way to ensure that the next generation builds a global, sustainable future is to ensure that education journey builds from relationship and hence, build a deeper understanding with themselves, their families, their communities, and the places and context they live in,” Duarte said.
Dr. Sonia Zarate, the president of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Native Americans in Science, discussed the importance of inclusivity in education
“By creating these inclusive environments, we ensure that scientists are operating from both their head as well as their heart in solving the world’s most pressing scientific challenges. We value community and believe that science exists for the greater good,” Zarate said.
##
