SUST913
Making Change Happen: Building Commitment to Create Sustainability
Transforming human society toward sustainability is an unprecedented challenge. How do leaders move sustainability forward effectively? How do they overcome barriers to change?
Whether you’re a skilled sustainability champion or relative newcomer, this course will enhance your ability to influence and promote organizational and social change that supports sustainability goals. We'll move from a broad theoretical overview to a detailed exploration of the skills and qualities of effective change agents.
This course is an interactive peer learning experience. We’ll draw on real-world cases and discuss strategies for taking action to achieve your sustainability goals.
Related program(s)
This course is available at the following time(s) and location(s):
| Section | Session(s) | Date/time | Campus | Instructor(s) | Cost | Registration* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUST913-VA1141 | 2 | Friday–Saturday Jan 17–18, 2014 9 am–5:30 pm |
Van | See below | $650 | Register |
* This course is available as part of the Sustainable Community Development Certificate (core course) and on an individual basis.
Instructors/Guest Speakers
Vanessa Timmer, principal, Resourceful Solutions Consulting
Dagmar Timmer, One Earth Initiative Society
Bob Purdy, director, External Relations & Corporate Development, Fraser Basin Council
What will I learn?
In this course, you’ll do the following:
- Explore the characteristics of sustainability leaders, and learn how they manage conflict, address fear and power, and speak to critics
- Develop the skills you need to become an effective sustainability champion
- Learn tools to promote organizational and social change in support of sustainability goals
- Understand facilitation and systems thinking tools for making change happen
- Balance discussions of theory with practice, drawing on teaching cases and the experiences of class participants and guest speakers
- Apply what you’ve learned to case studies through group work
How will I learn?
- Lectures
- Case studies
- Small group discussions and exercises
- Group presentations
- Assignments
Who should take this course?
- Planners, architects, and landscape architects
- Engineers, developers, builders, and real-estate professionals
- Elected officials
- Transportation professionals
- Staff of non-profit organizations
- Biologists, agrologists, and other environmental professionals
- Local, provincial, and federal government administrators and project managers
- Lawyers, financiers, and community advocates
- Current and future leaders committed to creating positive change
How will I be evaluated?
Your grade will be based on take-home assignment.
Textbooks and learning materials
We will provide custom course materials and a copy of Worldchanging.
Professional development credits
- AIBC 14 NCLU
- PIBC and BCSLA can self-report
Partners/Sponsors
SFU Centre for Sustainable Community Development