Abstract :
The challenge of sustainable development is now recognised world wide. Three dimensions are relevant: the interaction between culture, structure and technology, the approaches optimisation–improvement–renewal and the parties involved. Renewal of systems requires new ways of search and design of exploration processes comprising human needs as a starting point, backcasting as a method and jumps in eco-efficiency, measured as factor ‘X’ as orientation. This implies a strategic approach to innovation and breakthroughs in which transdisciplinarity is a key factor to obtain viable results. Dutch experiences reveal that innovation options can be identified and innovation paths can be paved. Support conditions were identified; in order to ensure the availability of sufficient capacity, strong efforts must be made in the system of (higher) education. A proposal is made for a European policy to strengthen and spread the system’s renewal approach in interaction with educational renewal.
Keywords :
education , Breakthroughs , Systems renewal , Transdisciplinarity , sustainable development , Dutch practises , Funding , sustainable technology , Culture–structure–technology , Needs , Factor ‘X’ , Future orientation , Long-term strategy , Backcasting , Optimisation–improvement–renewal , innovation , Ecoefficiency
