From report to dialogue
The ZHAW published its first sustainability report in November 2023. Data on energy, mobility and resources was complemented by stories from the people behind the numbers, placing them in the context of university operations. However, a report that is simply read and then put aside changes very little. “We wanted to find out what the community would make of it,” says Emma Sonnier, who is responsible for sustainability engagement at ZHAW sustainable. The response was Re:Act: a series of dialogue events that took place between March and May 2024 in Winterthur, Zurich and Wädenswil.
Not a panel discussion, but a microcosm
The format was developed by ZHAW sustainable in collaboration with the NGO collaboratio helvetica, which acted as an independent external moderator. The methodology was based on systemic dialogue. One of the first activities was a “human mapping” exercise, for example, in which participants positioned themselves within the room according to factors such as their role, how long they had been at the ZHAW, or whether they felt the university was doing enough to advance sustainability.
The various topics were then explored in more depth in groups. When registering, participants selected the themes they wished to focus on. Education emerged as the clear priority, followed by enabling structures, mobility and living labs. Energy and biodiversity ranked lowest. The message was clear: the community sees the greatest potential for change not in technical operations, but rather in learning environments and in how sustainability is embedded in everyday practice.
Participants
At 3 locations, 19 concrete ideas emerged from 8 thematic clusters
From perspectives to ideas
The participants formed groups around their chosen topics, discussed their views on the current situation and, on this basis, developed concrete proposals. At the concluding “Pitch Fest,” each group presented its idea in a three-minute pitch. Feedback was then given before participants voted on the most compelling concepts.
These concepts provided ZHAW sustainable with a basis for understanding where the community sees the most urgent need for action and fed directly into the ongoing implementation of the ZHAW sustainability strategy.
The empty space in the room
One observation, however, was a recurring and at times uncomfortable theme throughout all four events. Of the 122 participants, on average only around 9% were students. Ironically, the very group at the heart of the discussions on education was largely absent. This was a source of disappointment for some staff members who had indeed hoped for greater exchange with students.
The reasons for their low level of participation were by no means new: limited time, the sheer number of events and scepticism as to whether such formats actually make any difference. Rather than glossing over this scepticism, ZHAW sustainable takes it seriously:
Emma Sonnier
Engagement Manager, ZHAW sustainable, President's Office
“What Re:Act showed me was the strength of the diverse perspectives among ZHAW staff and students and how they can be brought together to develop effective ideas for complex challenges – even within a short space of time!”
What remains – and what actually followed
The four evenings gave rise to 19 ideas, ranging from tools to support more sustainable travel decisions to interdisciplinary teaching modules.
While not all of these ideas have been put into practice to date, several have provided valuable impetus. The Sustainable Impact Programme, for example, established an Instant Impact Fund – a low-threshold funding scheme for projects costing less than CHF 2,000 that can be approved in a matter of weeks rather than months. And the Farm to Table living lab project was also able to continue at the Wädenswil campus canteen after receiving input from Re:Act, building on the original project at the Toni Areal campus. The call for more conscious travel choices was incorporated into the revised approach to reducing flight-related emissions and the Challenge Accepted campaign.
