Sustainability in the mission and vision statements of Colombian Universities

• Published in: International journal of sustainability in higher education 2022-01, Vol.23 (1), p.67-86
• Main Authors: Bedoya-Dorado, Cristian, Murillo-Vargas, Guillermo, Gonzalez-Campo, Carlos Hernan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities; Alignment (Education); Climate action; College Administration; College campuses; College Role; Colleges & universities; Cooperation; Curricula; Education; Educational Quality; Environmental Education; Foreign Countries; Higher education; Human rights; Institutional Characteristics; Institutional Mission; Knowledge; Leadership; Lifelong Learning; Mission statements; Missions; Private Colleges; Public Colleges; School Culture; Social Action; Social factors; Society; Sustainability; Sustainable Development; Universities; Values
• ISSN: 1467-6370; 1758-6739
• DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2020-0284

Purpose This paper aims to analyze how Colombian Universities have incorporated the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals (SDGs) into their missions and visions. Design/methodology/approach The study used a documentary design to analyze the content of the missions and visions of the 86 Colombian Universities registered with the Ministry of National Education (MEN). Findings The study shows that universities are primarily aligned with Goal 13 as follows: climate action and this alignment is carried out to a great extent by the university’s governance, culture and activities. In contrast, there was a predominance of intentions to address the social dimension of sustainable development (SD). Research limitations/implications The study focused on examining universities’ missions and visions, which leaves out other sources of information that could account for university practices linked to the SDGs and sustainability. Practical implications The study’s results reveal the degree to which the universities are aligned with the SDGs in Colombia, which serves as a basis for the formulation of guidelines by the MEN and other organizations to strengthen the processes that contribute to the 2030 Agenda. Originality/value Research on how universities align with the SDGs is not a new topic, but it is scarce in the Colombian context. This research contributes to this gap by addressing the topic from a holistic and comparative perspective of SD education.