Greendocs - Students for Sustainability Amsterdam (SFSA)
Category: Education, Curricula or Research
Please give a description to this practice.
The practice involves screening thought provoking documentaries that encompass a diverse range of subjects related to sustainability. These documentaries cover various aspects of environmental conservation, social responsibility, and ecological practices and focus on actions that students can do to live more sustainably. The purpose of Greendocs is not only to showcase informative films but also to foster a vibrant and interactive environment for discussion and dialogue. Following each documentary screening participants gather for a lively discussion where they can exchange thoughts, ideas, and insights related to the film’s themes. This interactive component adds depth to the event by encouraging attendees to critically analyze the presented information and explore potential actions they can take to lead more sustainable lives. By showcasing such films Greendocs serves as a platform for raising awareness about pressing global issues and empowering students with practical knowledge to make a positive impact in their own lives. The documentaries featured in Greendocs highlight actionable steps that students can incorporate into their daily routines to live more sustainably. From protesting the environmental destruction and daily waste reduction to sustainable consumption and ethical choices, the screenings provide tangible examples of how individuals can make a difference. This aspect of Greendocs ensures that participants not only gain knowledge but also feel empowered and motivated to implement sustainable practices in their own lives.
What SDG’s does this practice work towards?
Greendocs practice works towards several SDGs as we use them as a bases for our decision making. It works towards SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action.
What progress have you made so far? What barriers are you facing? What barriers have you overcome already?
In our endeavor to promote sustainability and raise awareness among students, we have made significant progress through our Greendocs practice. We try to host about five of these event every academic year as they take time to plan and orchestrate. Over the course of the academic year, we have successfully organized and hosted four events, with the fifth one scheduled for June. One of the main barriers we face as a smaller organization is attracting a sufficient number of participants to attend the screenings and actively participate in the discussions. We have been proactive in addressing this barrier by employing creative marketing strategies, collaborating with other student organizations, and leveraging social media platforms to increase visibility and participation. These measures have yielded positive results and have helped us gradually build a dedicated community of attendees. Another barrier we have faced is the availability of knowledgeable experts who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise to discuss the documentary topics. As a student led organization, we have limited funds and cannot afford to pay large fees to invite renowned experts. This constraint has sometimes made it challenging to secure expert speakers for our events. We have been persistent and resourceful in overcoming this barrier. We have actively sought partnerships with local sustainability focused organizations, tapped into academic networks, and reached out to passionate professionals who share our commitment to sustainability. Through these efforts, we have been able to secure a diverse range of experts who have graciously volunteered their time to facilitate meaningful discussions during Greendocs events.
What sorts of information do you which to learn about the subject for this brochure? What barriers are you facing right now? and what help do you need to overcome them?
When it comes to developing a brochure featuring our organization, there are several key areas of information that we would like to include to effectively communicate our mission and activities to the target audience. Firstly, we would like to provide a clear and concise overview of our organization, including its name, purpose, and core values. This will help establish our identity and create awareness among the university community. Regarding the barriers we are currently facing, our biggest struggle lies in establishing a strong presence and effectively reaching our target audience within the university community. While we have a sizeable presence on social media, we recognize that it is not always sufficient to reach the desired audience. We face challenges in terms of increasing our visibility, ensuring our message reaches interested students, and expanding our network of followers. To overcome these barriers, we would greatly appreciate assistance in improving our marketing and outreach strategies. This could include guidance on optimizing our social media platforms, identifying additional channels to promote our events, and leveraging campus-wide communication channels such as newsletters, bulletin boards, or student organizations’ networks. Collaborating with other student groups, particularly those with overlapping interests in sustainability could also help us broaden our reach and attract a more diverse audience. We would welcome any support or recommendations on organizing promotional events or activities that allow us to interact directly with students.