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Education and Training
In an era marked by unprecedented environmental, social and economic challenges, education and training play a crucial role in promoting a culture of sustainability. It is no longer just a matter of imparting knowledge, but of educating citizens who are aware, critical and capable of acting responsibly towards the planet and future generations. Sustainability is not an abstract concept or one limited to the ecological sphere: it is a cross-cutting principle that encompasses ethics, economics, social justice and governance.
Education for sustainability requires a profound rethinking of pedagogical models, curriculum content and teaching methodologies. It requires an interdisciplinary, participatory and action-oriented approach that connects theory and practice, local and global, individual and collective. In this context, educational institutions – from primary schools to universities – become laboratories for change, incubators of innovation and spaces for critical reflection.
CIREA
Within the University of Parma’s commitment to promoting sustainable development, a particularly significant role is played by CIREA – the Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory for Environmental Education and Sustainability. CIREA represents a concrete example of how the principles of sustainability can be translated into educational, training and research practices capable of having an impact both within the university context and across the local territory.
Through research activities, educational design, and collaboration with schools, institutions and local authorities, CIREA contributes to the dissemination of a culture of sustainability consistent with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the active role of individuals as agents of change. In this sense, the laboratory does not limit itself to the production of knowledge, but operates as a space for experimentation and mediation between scientific knowledge, educational practice and social needs.
CIREA’s experience fully aligns with the “Sustainable University” strategy promoted by the University of Parma, offering a tangible example of how education for sustainability can be translated into concrete actions, participatory pathways and real impacts, thus positioning the university as a responsible actor in the ecological and cultural transition.
Il Laboratorio CIREA entra nella Green Community del Ministero dell’Istruzione
Scuola dell’Acqua: Aiming for Excellence
Il CIDEA dell’Università di Parma promuove ricerca e formazione nei campi dell’energia e dell’ambiente, sviluppando progetti dedicati alla transizione ecologica, alle energie rinnovabili, alla gestione sostenibile delle risorse e alla riduzione degli impatti ambientali.
In 2025, the University of Parma and EmiliAmbiente launched a collaboration to strengthen the Scuola dell’Acqua (School of Water), a permanent educational program focused on the sustainable management of water resources. The project involves CIREA, the interdisciplinary research laboratory of the University of Parma specialized in environmental education and sustainability.
The aim is to expand the activities of the Scuola dell’Acqua, which, after years of experience in schools, is now opening its programs to adult education and companies as well, through training modules dedicated to sustainability and ESG criteria. The initiative also seeks to promote responsible consumption and the protection of water resources within the community.
This collaboration was created to combine scientific expertise, environmental education, and innovation, while enhancing the University’s role in spreading a culture of sustainability. The project is also supported by local authorities, schools, associations, and regional partners.
CIDEA
The CIDEA of the University of Parma promotes research and education in the fields of energy and the environment, developing projects focused on ecological transition, renewable energy, sustainable resource management, and the reduction of environmental impacts.