Rethinking higher education for sustainable development in Serbia: an assessment of Copernicus charter principles in current higher education practices

This paper explores the current and future potential of higher education for sustainable development in the Republic of Serbia drawing upon years of engagement in national sustainable development strategic planning and monitoring activities. Paper is structured as follows: first part is assessing the current developments in theory and practice of higher education for sustainable development, and possible implications on Serbian higher education practice. Following that, the criteria for the assessment of current situation in Serbian higher education space, including weakness and possibilities, are developed in the second part. Criteria are developed based on Copernicus charter. Conclusions and recommendations are drafted in the third part, based on the assessment results. The paper argues that it is appropriate and desirable to accelerate the efforts on internal integration of Serbian Universities, as a precondition for further activities on the introduction of sustainability. Besides that, public sector and academic community must quest for innovative way of connection between higher education institutions and the community, predominantly through modernization of curricula and new research agenda. Education of educators for sustainable development may be the starting point for further steps in Serbia. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.