Transforming sustainability education: Ethics, leadership, community engagement, and social entrepreneurship

Abstract

Globally, organizations continue to be challenged regarding their impact on citizens, cultures, and the environment. As a result sustainability has become an important curricular element in leadership education. We examine the relationship between ethics, social justice, and sustainability as a response to the need to develop curriculum that encourages students to consider social value creation in leadership decisions. To meet this important challenge we suggest a multi-disciplinary, community-based learning approach to sustainability with the focus on spurring creativity, innovation, and alternative models of education and practice for community and workplace success. Community engagement and social entrepreneurship serve as teaching and learning tools. Through this curricular approach, a new generation of students is influenced to tap into ethical and just actions that will positively affect workplace options.