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.
This course is available as part of the Sustainable Community Development Certificate (core course) and on an individual basis.
| Section | Sessions | Dates | Time | Campus | Instructor(s) | Cost | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUST913-VA1131 | 2 - Fri–Sat | Jan 18–19, 2013 |
9 am–5:30 pm | Van | See below | $630 | Register |
Instructors/Guest Speakers
Vanessa Timmer, principal, Resourceful Solutions Consulting
Dagmar Timmer, One Earth Initiative Society
Dave Hocking, division manager, Corporate Communications, Metro Vancouver
Gordon Inglis, senior producer, Greater Vancouver Television
Ann McAfee, City Choices Consulting
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