Impactful responsibility
Laurea wants to strengthen the societal impact of its RDI activities and promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. As a practical measure for achieving these, Laurea has begun assessing the impacts of each project idea that has been greenlit for preparation, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals. Laurea’s efforts rely on the 17 global goals defined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda.
By evaluating how compatible each project is with the Sustainable Development Goals, Laurea will be able to understand the impact of its RDI activities in relation to said goals. It will also make it easier for Laurea to communicate about the effects and impact of its activities. Additionally, it will serve as an internal learning tool that will facilitate Laurea’s understanding of how the Sustainable Development Goals are linked to, for example, the goals of its research programmes and fields of study.
Laurea has several ongoing projects related to sustainable development and the circular economy. Developing responsibility-oriented ecosystem collaboration is one of the themes that was particularly present in the projects that were ongoing in 2023. In connection with this theme, the year saw the launch of projects such as the Food Waste Ecosystem project, which is related to the utilisation of food waste and is closely linked to the degree programme in hospitality management; the WeCircle project, which aims to achieve sustainable growth with the circular economy in the Eastern Uusimaa region; and the VISU Village for Sustainable Clothing project, which promotes cooperation between schools and businesses.
Themes related to diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) at Laurea were examined in projects such as InCITIES, which included workshops at Laurea with both internal stakeholders and international partners. Laurea’s focus has been on e.g. linguistic equality, higher education and social inequality, as well as how it communicates about DEI themes. On the other hand, the international InCITIES project offers a valuable opportunity to engage in DEI-related dialogue with our partners from different countries, allowing us to identify cultural differences and share good practices.
Laurea’s efforts to promote equality, diversity and inclusion are essentially related to how non-Finnish speakers are taken into account in their higher education community. Laurea and other Finnish higher education institutions aim to increase the share of foreign staff and students. For this reason, it is important to secure an equal level of opportunities for non-Finns and non-Finnish speakers in the work community. The same applies to international students.
Dialogue and discussion on DEI themes have also been held with Laureamko, Laurea’s student union. Many issues related to equality and other areas, such as the accessibility of services, were highlighted by students in the discussions.
A thematic team for ethical thinking was established at Laurea at the end of 2023. Its aims include networking Laurea’s ethics experts and highlighting Laurea’s ethical competence, strengthening an interdisciplinary and reflective approach to ethical societal challenges, and deepening and sharing Laurea’s expertise in topical ethical issues.
286 Bachelor’s degree students were able to complete their unfinished degrees with the help of the L160 model.
For several years now, Laurea has been working diligently to help students complete their unfinished higher education studies. Completing unfinished studies promotes a sense of success, strengthens the student’s self-confidence, and opens up new opportunities for work and postgraduate studies. By the end of 2023, the so-called L160 model has helped 286 Bachelor’s-level students at Laurea whose studies would otherwise have remained incomplete.
Examples of impactful responsibility
Good practice: The Circular Economy Living Lab brings together the builders of a sustainable future
Laurea’s Circular Economy Living Lab celebrated its 1st year of operation in 2023. The Living Lab serves as a collaboration platform and a learning and development environment for students, teachers, staff, partners and international networks, both online and on Laurea’s Leppävaara campus. The Living Lab also showcases Laurea's activities and results related to the circular economy.
Its activities also focus on monthly virtual morning coffee events, which are open to everyone, as well as facilitating collaboration, development, and mutual learning. In 2023, the morning coffee events attracted an average of 37 participants and 31 views for each recorded presentation. These morning coffee activities help bring together the circular economy networks in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and elsewhere in Finland, and they also provide Laurea with a platform for highlighting its sustainability-related competence in education, projects, and regional development. Learn more about the Living Lab.
Laurea’s well-being services provide support and guidance
Studying and student life can include many challenging moments, which is why Laurea offers guidance and services to support the well-being and progress of its students. Laurea’s well-being services help our students in a multidisciplinary manner to improve their general well-being and career-related success.
At Laurea, student well-being refers to the comprehensive well-being of students and supporting them in their studies, learning, and development. Laurea offers counselling psychologist (pictured), social worker and special education services, as well as various guidance services for progressing in one’s studies and career. Our students can also make use of the support provided by the university chaplains of the parishes in our campus municipalities. Learn more about health and well-being services.
Laurea raised the flag for sustainable development
By raising the SDG flag on our campuses, we are showing our support and commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, along with thousands of other institutions and companies. At the heart of the programme are the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will guide the world's sustainable development efforts until 2030. The goal of sustainable development is to ensure a good quality of life for present and future generations. Read more.
Human diversity enriches our community
Pride month is a great way to highlight the diversity of humanity as a whole. It reminds us all of the rights of sexual and gender minorities, which cannot be taken for granted in Finland or anywhere else in the world. Rainbow flags fly proudly on Laurea's campuses to remind us of the importance of this. Learn more.
Laurea selected as City of Espoo’s partner in its journey towards carbon neutrality
The City of Espoo, together with 24 other partners, has signed a commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Laurea University of Applied Sciences has identified its role in this carbon neutrality journey, and is one of the city’s partners. The City of Espoo’s ambitious goal will demand extensive collaboration with the city’s residents, companies, and educational institutions. At Laurea, the responsible promotion of sustainable development and environmental issues takes place in its numerous research, development and innovation projects, which are implemented in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders.
Laurea at the Prisoner Fair: who will take responsibility for prisoner services?
Laurea participated in the Prisoner Fair organised in Helsinki, which promoted dialogue, combated exclusion, and defended the provision of new civic opportunities to people with criminal backgrounds. The purpose of the Prisoner Fair was to offer guidance and information on services that prisoners and others with a criminal background, as well as their loved ones, can use while they serve their sentence and afterwards. According to the experts by experience who have entered the field of correctional services through Laurea, there remains room for improvement in the services provided to prisoners and those with a criminal background.
Learning Life – Mysteeri 24/7 wins top prize in the final of the Best Learning Solution from Finland competition
Learning Life – Mysteeri 24/7, a virtual escape room game that was developed collaboratively by Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, and Häme University of Applied Sciences, placed first in the annual “Best Learning Solution from Finland” competition. The objective of the game is to improve the study skills of vocational rehabilitees between the ages of 16 and 29, as well as their capabilities related to everyday well-being and management. The planning and testing of the game also involved young people and the professionals who work with them.
Service design training as a way to promote the employment of immigrant women with higher education
The DiversCity project coordinated by Laurea focused on the challenges faced by immigrant women in becoming employed in Finland. The continuing education course in service design implemented in the project opened up new job opportunities for many and promoted their integration into the Finnish labour market and society. Read more.