Leading the Change: VIS Hosts Sustainability Coordinators Workshop

What does it truly mean for a school to be sustainable? This question was at the heart of the Sustainability Coordinators Workshop held at Vienna International School.

Led by our own Sustainability Coordinator, Marti Hendrichs, alongside Andrew Watson from SusEd, the event brought together a dedicated group of educators eager to transform environmental theory into school-wide practice.

The workshop focused on several key pillars designed to embed sustainability into the heart of school life:

  • Systems Thinking: Moving away from isolated projects and looking at the school as a connected ecosystem where curriculum and operations work together.
  • Planetary Citizenship: Finding practical ways to help students see themselves as members of a global community with a responsibility to the Earth.
  • Strategic Leadership: Developing roadmaps for embedding sustainable values into school governance and long-term planning.

Beyond the presentations, the event served as a vital space for reflection. Educators shared successful strategies and brainstormed solutions to common challenges, building a supportive network of professionals dedicated to creating more sustainable school communities.

By hosting this workshop, VIS continues to champion the idea that sustainability isn't just a subject to be taught—it is a way of operating and thinking that prepares our students to lead in a changing world.