A chara, – The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 has radically restructured the Governing Authorities of Ireland’s universities, dramatically altering the balance of external versus internal representation.
An anticipated outcome is that the governing bodies become more strategically outward- and forward-looking, so that Ireland’s young people receive a higher education that equips them with the knowledge, understanding, and skills for a rapidly changing future.
Never before has that future – and the future of all fellow humans – been subject to such a discernible threat.
This summer marks yet another year of unprecedented temperatures and ecological destruction, during which scientists’ warnings about the costs of inaction on climate and biodiversity have grown even more dire.
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The time for urgent and transformative action is now.
Universities occupy a unique and privileged position in Irish society, with enormous potential to catalyse transformative change through their mission for education and research, as well as through their own actions.
Just as previous appointments have aimed to address and improve equality and diversity, and to expand access and inclusion, Minister for Further Education Simon Harris has an opportunity to help position our universities as leaders on climate and biodiversity through the appointment of external representatives with a record of expertise and leadership in climate action and environmental justice.
Education and research are the linchpins of a sustainable future; this decade is the linchpin of history. Climate and biodiversity-informed ministerial appointments will help ensure Ireland is on the right side of that history. – Yours, etc,
CLARE KELLY,
Associate Professor,
School of Psychology;
BRIAN CAULFIELD,
Professor in Transportation, Centre for Transport
Research,
Department of Civil,
Structural and
Environmental
Engineering;
SARAH-JANE
CULLINANE,
Education for Sustainable Development Fellow;
SARAH BROWNE,
Assistant Professor
in Marketing,
Trinity Business School;
NORAH CAMPBELL,
Associate Professor,
Trinity Business School,
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2.