Maya Haddad Represents Ajman University at VU Amsterdam's Sustainability University Assembly

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Maya Haddad, Senior Sustainability Manager at Ajman University, recently attended the Sustainability University Assembly hosted by Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. The event, brought together leading minds in higher education sustainability to explore innovative models of participatory governance and community-driven climate action.

The assembly, led by Ivar Maas, focused on a pioneering approach: adapting the "Citizens' Assembly" model—a deliberative body where everyday people are selected by democratic lottery to learn, deliberate, and make recommendations on complex issues—to a university setting. The central question guiding the proceedings was: "How do we become a sustainable university?"

A Deep Dive into Deliberative Democracy

The event provided a comprehensive look at how VU Amsterdam designed and executed its Sustainability University Assembly. Participants learned about the rigorous process behind the initiative:

• Preparation and Mandate: The assembly was mandated by the Executive Board, ensuring that the outcomes would carry weight within the institution.
• Sortition: Invitations were sent to 10,000 students and 2,250 staff members selected at random. From the registrants, 160 participants were chosen to reflect the diversity of the university community.
• Deliberation: Over several sessions held between April and June, participants engaged with experts, formed working groups, and developed concrete proposals.
• Outcome: The assembly produced 57 project proposals, 53 of which were adopted into the "VU Sustainability Agreement" and presented to the VU Board. These included recommendations for independent monitoring committees, clear pathways to reduce natural gas usage, and guidelines for minimum sustainability education in every study program.

Addressing the Challenges of Top-Down Strategy

The assembly directly addressed common challenges in university climate policy, such as top-down strategy development, lack of broad community support, and the feeling that sustainability is "Not In My Educational Program" (NIMEP). By involving students and staff as equal participants, the assembly fostered community building, facilitated organizational learning, and created momentum for democratization within the university.

Key Takeaways for Ajman University

Reflecting on the experience, the valuable insights the assembly offers for Ajman University's own sustainability journey.

Highlighted lessons that resonate with Ajman University's commitment to sustainability and community engagement:

• Inclusive Engagement: The democratic lottery process ensures that voices from across the university—not just the usual suspects—are heard, leading to more representative and accepted outcomes.
• Institutional Buy-In: The process changed the minds of board members and administrators, who felt a stronger commitment to the outcomes because of their investment in the deliberative process.
• Tangible Impact: The assembly resulted in a formal agreement with concrete proposals, proving that participatory processes can lead to real policy change.

Looking Ahead

Ajman University remains dedicated to advancing its sustainability agenda through innovative and inclusive approaches. The insights gained from the VU Amsterdam Sustainability University Assembly will inform ongoing efforts to enhance community engagement, transparency, and collaborative decision-making in the university's sustainability initiatives.