An Ecological Vision with Social Responsibility in the Sustainable Environment: Promoting Ecological and Environmental Awareness in Centro Universitário Municipal de Franca-Uni-FACEF (Sao Paulo)

This paper presents the design and implementation of a project to promote sustainable development and ecological awareness within the Centro Universitário Municipal de Franca—Uni-FACEF community in Franca, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Using the main elements of an environmental and sustainable development initiative promoted by the project “Ecological Vision with Social Responsibility in the Sustainable Environment” (VERSAS, ‘Visão Ecológica com Responsabilidade Social em Ambiente Sustentável’) and models developed in a UK university, the paper reports on the efforts to promote ecological awareness and environmental sustainable practices at Uni-FACEF. The project aimed to include all stakeholders (lecturers, administrative staff, students and the community in general) into all university activities and link them with the local and regional economic and social processes. This is a work-in-progress project, and we report here the initial findings of its first stage. Our initial findings suggest that the project’s aims have been well received amongst the university community and external stakeholders, mainly the municipality. During the next stage, we expect to cement a sustainable culture that adheres to the principles of a circular economy (procurement and awareness from the purchase of consumer items in the university to its final disposal). We also expect to consolidate practical actions on the ecological disposal of solid waste in the city. At the educational level, we expect to continue fostering among students discussions and actions about their local performance as a change agent, with the purpose of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).