|
HELP SHAPE THE NEXT ACTS CONFERENCE
|
|
As our readers are no doubt aware, the annual ACTS Conference has been on hold for some time now due to the pandemic. Over the last 18 months, we have seen many events transition completely to virtual offerings. Whilst ACTS has not yet made the move into this space, the time has come for us to consider what the future of our conference will be.
We are extremely cognisant of the unique opportunity we have to reshape our beloved conference; our aim is to continue to deliver the highest standard professional development and networking event for members, whilst minimising any associated negative impacts (such as carbon emissions from travel and accomodation).
To this end we are inviting feedback from members on the future of the ACTS Conference. By completing the survey linked below, your input will help us shape the event in terms of format and content. Members can also express interest to join the working group dedicated to developing future conferences. For more information on the survey or working group, please contact Rhiannon Boyd at rboyd@acts.asn.au.
|
|
|
CELEBTRATING OUR GREEN IMPACT CHAMPIONS
|
|
The Green Impact Australasia Awards recognise the people that have worked hard to complete sustainability actions as part of a Green Impact team, as well as implement initiatives that have had a positive impact within their institution or local community. With the leadership and support of these everyday heroes, we were able to complete over 6000 sustainability actions as part of Green Impact last year!
As part the program, each year finalists are nominated for the awards by peers at their respective institutions. Needless to say, all finalists are deserving of recognition, and it's a tough job for our judges to select winners!
But select they must, and this year we are delighted to announce Cathy Walker from the University of Tasmania as the winner of the Staff Champion award, Richard Siu from the University of Tasmania as the winner of the Student Champion Award, and team GreenSPACE from The University of Melbourne as winners of the Engagement Innovator Award.
Please join us in congratulating our winners! You can learn more about their amazing achievements by visiting the Green Impact website liked below.
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED
|
|
The winners of the 2021 International Green Gown Awards were announced last night in an online bilingual ceremony hosted by Carina Mutschele, Youth & Education Officer from UNEP Kenya and Gloria Ordóñez Valenzuela from UNEP Environment Latin America and the Caribbean.
The International Green Gown Awards celebrate the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by tertiary education institutions across the world and are endorsed by United Nations Environment and supported by The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), L’Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) and International Association of Universities (IAU).
Established as the most prestigious recognition of sustainability best practice within the education sector globally, the International Green Gown Awards provide benchmarks for excellence and are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Please join is in congratulating all the winners and finalists, including The University of Newcastle who received Highly Commended awards in the Benefitting Society category for Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered and in the Student Engagement category for out(fit).
|
|
|
ACTS will be announcing the finalists for the regional
Green Gown Awards Australasia in August!
|
|
|
|
JOIN OUR NEXT MEMBER ROUNDTABLE!
|
|
Member Roundtables are a fantastic opportunity for you to connect in an informal virtual setting to share ideas, challenges and practical solutions with colleagues from across the ACTS network.
Each meeting is limited to a small number of active participants, allowing everyone the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions and contribute to general discussions. You can also register as listen-only participant, while having the opportunity to submit comments and questions for discussion.
Members are invited to register as active or listen-only participants for the following upcoming roundtables:
- Sustainable Development Goals (August 10, 2021)
- Circular Economy II (August 24, 2021)
- Sustainable Procurement (September 2, 2021)
|
|
Don't forget! You can always access recordings from past roundtables via our online member portal. Recent roundtables have focussed on carbon and climate, biodiversity and conservation, and circular economy.
|
|
|
|
SHOWCASE YOUR CAMPUS THIS SEPTEMBER
|
|
Each year during World Green Building Week, ACTS celebrates Green Campus Day by providing the opportunity for members to showcase the innovative buildings, infrastructure or spaces make our campuses sustainable.
We're excited to announce that this year's Green Campus Day will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021 and we are now inviting members to consider hosting an event that showcases your sustainable built environment.
In consideration of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, this year we strongly encourage online Green Campus Day events, such as virtual tours and live streams, as well pre-recorded video content that will be shared throughout the ACTS network. Institutions that are able to safely host onsite events are of course also welcome too.
Green Campus Day events and content can be freely accessed by staff, students, industry representatives and the community - all the more reason to get involved and see first hand what sustainable campuses look like!
If your institution would like to participate, please visit our website to learn more. If your organisation would like to partner with ACTS to support Green Campus Day, please get in touch today!
|
|
|
WHO WILL WIN THE INAUGURAL GREEN IMPACT CUP?
|
|
Calling all Green Impact teams! Do you have what is takes to win the very first Green Impact Cup? Your mission is simple... complete the highest number of toolkit actions (with evidence) in the month of July.
The competition is open to all new and existing teams from current Green Impact programs. If you don't already have a team, there's no better time to join! Additional competition registration is not required; to participate simply register a team in your institutional toolkit and log actions throughout July.
The winning team will not only win bragging rights, but an amazing prize pack thanks to our generous Green Impact Cup partners:
|
|
GREEN GOWN AWARDS AUSTRALASIA
LEARNING, TEACHING & SKILLS SPOTLIGHT
|
|
Highly Commended
Western Sydney University
Read the case study
|
|
|
Finalist
The University of Auckland
Read the case study
|
|
Finalist
Western Sydney University
Read the case study
|
|
|
#actsofconnection is the perfect solution for any organisation looking to support internal engagement on sustainability but lacks the time or resources to develop a program in-house.
By becoming an organisational subscriber, all your employees can access a range of online sustainability themed events, with content that is topical and accessible to a wide audience.
Upcoming #actofconnection events include:
- How to run a sustainable event
- Exploring Zero Waste
- Cutting through Greenwash
- Sustainbility Trivia Hunt
- How to be a better Ally
|
|
MID YEAR OFFER
Subscribe to #actsofconnection before the end of July and your organisation can access the suite of online engagement activities for the remainder of 2021 for 50% off the full program rate!
Subscription includes:
- Unlimited access for all staff (and students if applicable) with an organisational email address to the #actsofconnection calendar.
- Access to a weekly #actsofconnection bulletin of upcoming events.
- Promotional materials, including event blurbs, website/Facebook event listings and social media assets.
- A monthly summary report for organisational engagement.
- Monthly competitions with prizes up for grabs for active participants (ethically and sustainably sourced of course!).
|
|
|
|
The #actsofconnection program is open to organisations of all types and sizes throughout Australasia. To take advantage of this limited time offer, contact Rhiannon Boyd at rboyd@acts.asn.au before the end of July.
|
|
|
ACTS members are invited to share news and events in upcoming editions of enACT. To be featured please email a brief description, landscape image and link to info@acts.asn.au.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
