{"id":96445,"date":"2019-03-21T10:32:11","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T09:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=96445"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:14","slug":"your-story-sustainability-isnt-a-hipster-fad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2019\/03\/21\/your-story-sustainability-isnt-a-hipster-fad\/","title":{"rendered":"Your story: \u2018Sustainability isn\u2019t a hipster fad\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Timothy Nahr wants to create more awareness about sustainability using his University of Laif\u00a0 <\/em>platform. \u201cI established this platform because I think the curriculum offered by most programmes still lacks some component of what sustainability is,\u201d says Timothy. He is currently occupied with his second and <\/em>third master\u2019s programmes.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Timothy at EM editorial office<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>\t

\n\t\t

EM has moved! Our editorial office can now be found in HB-108, between the Theil lecture hall and the Tinbergen Building canteen. To introduce our new location, we\u2019re inviting everyone to pitch their story on Monday and Tuesday and we\u2019ll immediately do a write-up based on the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n

\u201cThe word \u2018laif\u2019 in the name means \u2018life\u2019 in Papiamento,\u201d explains Timothy. \u201cBecause just as in life, I hope we can learn from each other on this platform.\u201d University of Laif\u00a0 <\/em><\/a>is a digital platform where people can share their stories on sustainability. Timothy also wants to build an online community, and he regularly appears at universities and universities of applied sciences to give informative presentations. \u201cMy question to the audience is usually: what would you do if you were the leader of this country? The answers always provide material for a productive discussion on sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everything is connected<\/h2>

Timothy is aware that there are numerous sustainability initiatives on campus. \u201cBut most of these initiatives have a very limited scope or target group,\u201d he says. \u201cI want to create more comprehensive awareness, not just about water or plastic, but about the big picture.\u201d To achieve this, he applies the methods of systems thinking. This is an approach that attempts to maintain an overview of the overall picture. \u201cFor example, you want to do something to curb child labour in Uganda, but if the children have no work and the government doesn\u2019t provide some kind of safety net or financial allowance, there\u2019s actually a chance the children will end up in prostitution or criminal activities instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

So what does he think people really need to know? Timothy: \u201cI can\u2019t emphasise enough that sustainability isn\u2019t some kind of hipster fad. It\u2019s not some fashionable cause. Sustainability is a dire necessity and it\u2019s a positive way to live.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t

De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t