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Sustainability

Our actions are based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations as a recognized international framework.

© Goethe-Institut

Our Approach

The realisation of sustainability requires worldwide societal change. Cultural exchange, as well as language and educational programs, provide opportunities to explore different perspectives on cultural, social, environmental, and economic sustainability and to engage in dialogue about them.

In our worldwide work, we address diverse issues and solution approaches regarding sustainability and carry these forward. We enable interactions between people from different cultural and societal contexts. These gain special importance in the context of sustainability: We can learn from another and share knowledge about the promotion of sustainable development in a dialogue with different perspectives.

 

  • Adolescents plant mangrove trees Photo: © Sorapong Sawawiboon

    At a PASCH youth camp in Khao Lak, Thailand, students learning German planted new mangrove trees and explored issues related to environmental sustainability.

  • Model of the new building of the Goethe-Institut in Dakar Foto: © Kéré Architecture

    In Dakar the new Goethe-Institut designed by Francis Kéré is constructed from locally sourced building materials such as clay using traditional and sustainable construction techniques.

  • Woman sits at a machine that shapes plastic into a vase. A man helps her Photo: © Goethe-Institut Thailand

    The Goethe-Institut Thailand has committed to following the “no plastic” principle. If plastic waste cannot be avoided, it is processed into vases or bowls, as you can see here.

  • Woman sings into a microphone Photo: © Goethe-Institut e.v. Kairo/Roger Anis

    Equality and equal treatment of women are fundamental principles of our work. The feminist and queer-positive website “Jeem” spreads knowledge on the topics of sexuality and gender in the Arabic language.

  • Three influencers are recording an Instragram video. Photo: Stephanie Hesse

    Activists from Europe and South America learn about climate protection, develop national campaigns and train their skills at the digital workshop programme “Young Influencers for Ecological Change”.

  • Discussion round in the Goethe Garden São Paulo with numerous guests. Photo: Danila Bustamante

    In the garden of the Goethe-Institut São Paulo, framed by vegetable patches and flowers, workshops or discussion groups take place on topics such as climate change, nutrition or the environment.

Our Spheres of Activity

Programmes for sustainability

We initiative and promote artistic formats and projects that address the issues of cultural, social, ecological and economic sustainability, thereby contributing to designing new concepts for sustainable societies. We promote holistic dialogue on these aspects of sustainability through innovative programmes. These are aimed at target groups from different generations and societal contexts, and include representatives from different professions and academic disciplines. We work with partner organisations and cultural scenes on site and support the mutual teaching and further development of local and global solution approaches.

Become aware

Together with our partners, we develop impact-focused programmes in international culture and educational exchange that explore the ecological, social and economic challenges in an effective way. The effectiveness of our projects is also evaluated according to criteria for sustainability — that is, the potential for further developing the concepts, activities, or structures so that they can be implemented locally in the long term, independently of the original funding institutions (see “Kultur wirkt”).

Sustainable as an organisation

In our work, we focus on the social, ecological and economic sustainability goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. We significantly contribute to the implementation of these goals in the following sectors: education, climate and environment, equal opportunities and justice.

Publications 2022-2024

Sustainability brochure(PDF, 6 MB)

Examples of our work

  • Green Libraries

    Green Libraries is a multi-part, hybrid format geared to promote sustainable, local library initiatives.

  • Ecological Futures

    Ecological Futures is an international networking and practice-based project that connects art, urban development, and civic engagement to develop concrete responses to climate change and social inequality in cities.

  • Science Film Festival

    In cooperation with local partners SFF promotes science literacy and facilitates awareness of contemporary scientific, technological and environmental issues through international films with accompanying educational activities. 

Further goals

What we stand for