SUSTAINABILITY is the conscious behavior that maintains healthy, long-lasting, and beneficial environmental, social, and economic systems, and fosters community well-being through the stewardship of interdependent and valuable resources. The idea of sustainability incorporates individual responsibility in decision making and life-style choices, as well as societal participation, corporate activities, politics and global citizenship. During the fall semester of 2013, the Fontbonne University community will embark on its seventh dedicated semester focused on sustainability. We have developed academic coursework that explores sustainability from scientific, ethical, behavioral, business and literary perspectives. In addition there will be selected speakers, films, trips and activities scheduled throughout the semester that will expand your understanding of sustainability and broaden your perspectives.
HOW we plan and how we act goes to the core of who we are, both individually and as a society. It involves our basic belief systems, politics, business practices, consumerism and our consideration of others. Our choices not only affect others with whom we share the planet, but also those who will inherit it from us. Special care will be taken to seek and include diverseperspectives on the shared benefits inherent in the identification and adoption of sustainable practices, including, but not limited to:
Cultural and religious traditions and value systems
Commercial and technological initiative
Governance, justice, and the allocation of resources
Environmental and agricultural practices
Care for the dear neighbor in all areas
We invite you to join us by enrolling in classes and participating in activities that can hopefully inspire and possibly challenge each of us to evaluate our choices and actions as we live and work on an increasingly populated and complicated planet.