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A Multi‐cultural Science Education Model for Sustainability at the National University of Colombia, Medellin
Author(s) -
Ramirez Jorge M.,
Gupta Vijay K.,
Mesa Oscar Jose,
Poveda Germán,
Saldarriaga Jaime,
Gupta Indira B.,
Arias Paola
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/sres.2486
Subject(s) - sustainability , indigenous , population , traditional knowledge , deforestation (computer science) , world population , biodiversity , environmental ethics , consumption (sociology) , ecological footprint , economic growth , population growth , environmental degradation , agriculture , political science , geography , sociology , social science , ecology , economics , archaeology , biology , philosophy , demography , computer science , programming language
Modern societies all over the World are facing numerous challenges of sustainability owing to a growing human footprint. A materialistic view of nature has resulted in unchecked consumption that has been propagated through Western colonization. Examples include, water and food shortages, global warming, soil degradation owing to chemical agriculture, deforestation, loss of species and biodiversity leading to the sixth massive extinction of biological species and possibility of a civilizational collapse. Incorporating our ancient and indigenous heritage into an educational programme requires a paradigm shift in the current education model. Here, we present results from a unique collaboration among scholars with great interest in ancient and indigenous culture to develop and to implement a multi‐cultural science education model of sustainability at the National University of Colombia, Medellin. Colombia has 87 different tribes comprising 3.4% of the country's population, which presents a unique opportunity for in situ model development and implementation. The proposed new education model can be shared as an illustrative example with other institutions in Colombia, and all over the world. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.