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Higher Education for Sustainable Development (HESD) and Human Ecology (HE) Studies both focus on the interrelationships between people and the environment. Both approaches represent innovative academic cultures that aim at qualifying future professionals and decision-makers. Nevertheless, potential synergies between HESD and HE Studies have not yet been explored.

Examples of curriculum development at European universities illustrate the barriers, the progress, and the innovative potential of HE Studies and of HESD, while the presentation of student initiatives for sustainable development in higher education testifies the political commitment of today´s students.

The objective of this compilation is to stimulate European exchange and cooperation. One of the major insights is that the joining of forces between HE Studies and HESD is overdue. Sharing the same aims, the two approaches could complement each other and provide valuable experiences for more sustainability in higher education policies - against the backdrop of the UN-Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 -2014) and the post-2015 agenda.

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Angela Franz-Balsen is an independent expert on (Higher) Education for Sustainable Development. Her research interests are professional development and gender & diversity competence in sustainability communication/education. Since 1994 she has been member of the German Society of Human Ecology (DGH) and is currently responsible for communication matters. Lenelis Kruse is professor of psychology with a special focus on environmental and sustainability psychology. Associated with the FernUniversität in Hagen (distance-teaching university) until 2007, she is still teaching as honorary professor at the University of Heidelberg. As one of the founding members of the DGH, she is currently serving as member of the Scientific Advisory Board.

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