Look in a mirror, what do you see - what is calling out to you? Are you doing what you feel you should be doing?
Asking those questions is part of my job; enabling as many people as possible to realize that they have a choice to make - in their work or otherwise; a choice that makes an impact on sustainable development. Preparing people for this starts early on in life, in childhood. That is possibly why Earth Charter principle #11 appeared to choose me as being my favorite: 'Ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity'. It is paramount that children receive an education that matters, which they can't if they are either sick or at work, and I call for teachers to deliver education that actually matters! If teachers don’t go beyond books and prescribed curricula, beyond boundaries, then it is difficult to expect our kids to do so now or later on.
DHV is a knowledge intensive company positioned in the middle of society. That is why we chose to focus our 'giving back' social investment's program on educational issues. In South Africa (through SSI) we set up the 'Saturday Schools Initiative' for previously disadvantaged learners. Another project initiated by DHV is 'I study water', where water professionals support students working on their water related thesis.
It is also part of my role to initiate partnerships, engage and inspire, to the effect that education for sustainability becomes a life-long learning experience; it certainly does not stop in the classroom. Earth Charter Principle #14 Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life speaks to this: We continuously and consciously seek to contribute to sustainable development in our daily professional activity.