Global Sustainability

Become a sustainability advocate at Western Sydney

Western Sydney and the rest of the world is rapidly changing. Successful graduates in this millennium will face urgent global challenges that need new ways of thinking and doing. Employers tell us they value culturally adaptive, flexible, resilient and inter-disciplinary graduates.

About the Award

This Award is designed to develop you as a work ready global citizen that can demonstrate desirable professional competencies and cope with complexity, uncertainty and change. There are two-ways in which you can get involved:

1. Register your interest for our free, interactive 21C curosity pod: Sustainability Bootcamp (opens in a new window). This is open to all Western Sydney University students from any degree and level (both undergrad and postgrad).
2. Enrol in the Global Sustainability sub-major (opens in a new window) and work on a social action project. This is open to all Western undergraduate students with elective space from any degree.

When you complete the Global Sustainability sub-major, social action project and the Sustainability Bootcamp, you will graduate with a 'Global Sustainability Award' - an additional certificate co-branded with the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development network (RCE), formally recognised by the United Nations University (UNU), which is a great addition to your CV.

Sustainability Bootcamp Curiosity Pod

Why are we talking about sustainability? Why does it matter? What does this mean for you? This trans-disciplinary Curiosity Pod is a free ‘taster’ that introduces concepts of Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through systems awareness, worldviews and futures thinking. Accessed via vUWS, it contains around 15 hours of online interactive learning including lectures, real case studies, film clips and resources. The case studies profile inspiring local initiatives and research across Western Sydney that contribute to addressing our global challenges. The Sustainability Bootcamp is open to all students in all disciplines as a standalone activity, and also those undertaking the Global Sustainability minor.

Register your interest to join the next Sustainability Bootcamp!

Global Sustainability Minor

Linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Western’s new Global Sustainability minor (opens in a new window) is recognised by and co-branded with the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (opens in a new window) network acknowledged by the United Nations University. This award program is a unique, signature learning experience for any undergraduate students involving local and global partners committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Enrol now in the Global Sustainability minor (opens in a new window). By undertaking your choice of subjects within this offering you will engage with a broader perspective and bring breath to your discipline’s depth and focus.

Social Action Internship

As part of the core unit for the minor, students will complete a 60-hour internship or research project as part of the Internship and Community Engagement unit for their social action with local and global partners in small interdisciplinary project teams. Some of these opportunities have funded scholarships (of up to $3,000 per student) available for eligible students through the Australian Government New Colombo Plan. By engaging with partners and meaningful project students will work towards a more just and equitable society.

Sub-major Enrolment

This cross-school, multidisciplinary offering is open to ALL undergraduate students at Western Sydney with elective space in their program. Ready to enrol? Login to My Student Records (MySR) (opens in a new window) and get started.