FUTURE21

We expand forestry education toward multidisciplinarity and integrate an understanding of socio‑ecological systems into the curriculum. We enhance HEIs responsiveness to global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, socioeconomic inequalities, circular economy and sustainable industries.

South Africa is in many ways a significant country in Africa’s forest sector. It has extensive forest resources, and South African forest industries dominate a large share of the forestry sector in southern Africa. As in other fields of education, it is important in forestry education to listen to the needs of working life and society when planning teaching. Our specific aim is to bring entrepreneurship and financial education closer to forestry sector education.

We aim to achieve this by advancing multidisciplinary socio-ecological systems (SES) education. Through the project, we will develop and implement SES-focused curricula, short learning programmes, and educational materials. We will provide professional development for higher education institution (HEI) staff in pedagogy, systems thinking, and digital learning. We will also establish an SES education platform to support multidisciplinary learning and continuous professional development. In addition, we will facilitate multisectoral collaboration among academia, industry, civil society, and policy makers.

These activities will enhance the visibility, impact, and long-term sustainability of SES education through targeted outreach and dissemination.

Target group

Higher education teachers, staff and students and other citizens in South Africa.

Operating area

South Africa

Beneficiares

Nelson Mandela University, University of Mpumalanga, Forestry South Africa, Garden Route Biosphere reserve, Kruger to Canyons Biosphere region