Formal task-oriented training at universities provides neither a systemic
approach to sustainable management of the natural resources nor education in knowledgebased
society of experts and decision-makers as active partners. Methodological
experiences of long-term interdisciplinary studies and problem-solving training, focused on
sustainable development in protected, industrial regions, and historical cities of Poland, will
be useful for promotion of similar activity in other countries, as recommended by UN’s
Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. The former rector of AGH University
of Science and Technology, Prof. W. Goetel, initiated the concept of sustainable
management of natural resources in Europe, in 1956. He started the Open-for-all Seminars
on Nature Protection and Sustainable Management of Resources some 50 years ago, and
recommended the interdisciplinary science “sozology” to save the natural environment and
proper conditions of life for future generations.
In 1967, the author of this chapter introduced the concept of the integration of all levels
of education for common action–with action to be focused on primary prevention of
deterioration of the natural environment and over-exploitation of natural resources.
Over 3000 university students from the natural, technical, and socio-economic sciences
took part in the National and International Summer Schools on ‘Human Environment
and Sustainable Development’ based on voluntary activity of the students’ scientific
teams (NGOs). From 1989 through 2010 we organized 12 International Conferences on
European Integration for.
Sustainable Development, and since 1989 the AGH ‘Open University on Science and
Technology for Better Life Quality’ has been operational. We hope that the voluntary
education of particularly creative students and representatives of all age groups of the
contemporary society can contribute to sustainable management of natural resources at
the regional scale, in linkage with international cooperation for protection of the
Biosphere, as preconditions for survival of Mankind.
Keywords: AGH, biosphere, case studies, common action, ‘Decade of Education
for Sustainable Development, Europe, games for survival, interdisciplinary
problem-solving training, ISO 26000, knowledge-based society, natural
environment, quality of life, ‘Open University on Science and Technology for
Better Life Quality’, Poland, social responsibility, Summer Schools on ‘Human
Environment and Sustainable Development’, survival of humankind, sustainable
development, sustainable management, United Nations.
