AASHE at Twenty: Celebration with Future Vision
By: Debra Rowe
AASHE has produced 20 years of inspiring sustainability champions and improving our shared future. Higher education around the world has recognized the need to model sustainability, educate for a sustainable future and partner with organizations in other sectors of society to implement policies and norm changes for sustainability. People in higher education and beyond have been able to count on AASHE for quality information, precedents and processes to enhance their work. AASHE has incredible resources, including a hub with over 13,000 entries covering knowledge, success stories, strategies, standards, and insights. Over the past twenty years, it was delightful to watch AASHE grow and become a central organization for sustainability and higher education.
I’m so delighted to be able to celebrate its 20th year. I have fond memories of its beginning, of its early challenges and watching it emerge into such a professional organization that is so supportive and useful. The webinars, workshops and online community have grown the momentum and the skills of all stakeholders that participate. In this divisive time, AASHE helps people cope with and address challenges, and stands strong in its support to help make an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable society the norm.
For twenty years, AASHE has worked closely with me at the US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development (USP). AASHE co-facilitated with USP the Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium and have housed the information for the Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability. These two networks are composed of over sixty national and international higher education associations. AASHE has helped these networks create leadership for sustainability, resources for systemic change available to anyone working in sustainability, and collaboration that produced outcomes beyond what any of these associations could do alone.
AASHE, its leaders and its staff have created spectacular conferences and an empowering and supportive online community plus the incredibly insightful Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). AASHE is a great place to hang out with like-minded people and be part of a sustainability-oriented family around the world.
I know I think of AASHE as family! From AASHE, I have received comfort, caring, kindness, and mutual respect, data with key analyses, compelling visions and crucial skill building. My local, national, and international efforts are all benefiting by my connections to AASHE.
Happy 20th! I wish I could be around to celebrate your 50th in thirty years. I know you’ll still be going strong and the world will continue to be better because of AASHE.