A universidade e o desenvolvimento de competências-chave para o desenvolvimento sustentável

The world is in rapidly changing. In many cases, societies chose unsustainable patterns of consumption based on over exploitation of resources and rapidly changing ecosystems that have changed the human relationship with Nature, placing it in an ecologically fragile position. Never before it has been so obvious that Humanity is facing huge challenges and that has to create solutions accordingly. To harmonize economic growth with Nature preservation, through a new model of development, supporting simultaneously economic prosperity, social equity and preserving the environment, requires preparing human resources that lead the transition to sustainable patterns. The intellectual and creative capital of future generations will play a crucial role, promoted by knowledge, creativity and innovation. In this context, new and great responsibilities lie on the University. The purpose of this paper is to identify and synthesize in a coherent framework the key-competences to be acquired at higher education institutions towards sustainability, based on a review and analysis of the relevant literature on Education for Sustainable Development. This paper also discusses the impact of the new sustainability agenda in the teacher's work.