# Sustainable development the Portugese way - Erasmus exchange to Lisbon - Savonia AMK

> Val Do Rio Technical school is located in Oeiras, about half an hour away from the center of Lisbon. In this private vocational school, you can study as a multimedia technician, 3D graphic designer as well as electronics and communication technology.

## Overview of the Exchange
In the summer of 2023, a group of teachers from the Helsinki vocational college and adult institute visited the Technical School of Val Do Rio in Portugal as part of an Erasmus exchange. The group included a sustainable development teacher, a designer assistant teacher, a teacher of international subjects, and a work coach. The primary goal was to observe how sustainable development is integrated into vocational education and internships in Portugal.

## About Val Do Rio Technical School
Located in Oeiras, near Lisbon, the school operates across two campuses: one in Oeiras and one in Estoril. The institution is led by Jose Cunha and offers programs in multimedia technology, 3D graphic design, and electronics and communication technology, with the Estoril campus focusing on service and social fields.

The school maintains collaborations with several external partners:
* Plural Entertainment production company
* Emav TV company
* University of Lisbon’s Department of Architecture and Urbanism
* Local police
* Private entrepreneurs

## Integration of Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is not taught as a standalone subject at Val Do Rio; instead, it is integrated into existing vocational curricula. 

* **Graphic Design:** Students study "Global Challenges," focusing on responsibility, environmental friendliness, and Agenda 2030 goals. Projects include marketing campaigns, brand planning, and packaging design that prioritize environmental impact.
* **3D Design:** Students learn to select materials and colors with nature in mind, focusing on waste reduction and energy efficiency in printing processes.
* **Internships:** Students are encouraged to consider the environmental impact of their design solutions and often collaborate with university students from engineering and architecture departments.
* **Ethics:** The curriculum covers the ethical risks of 3D technology, the importance of cultural context in design, and the implications of sustainable consumption.

## Observations on Sustainability Practices
While the pedagogical integration of sustainability is strong, the visiting teachers noted a disconnect between the curriculum and daily school operations:
* Lack of visible recycling or sorting points on campus.
* Students showed limited mastery of basic recycling practices during functional exercises.
* Absence of renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels.
* Inefficient energy use, including lights left on in bright classrooms and constant use of fans and air heat pumps.

## Future Cooperation
The exchange fostered a knowledge-sharing environment where the Finnish teachers presented their own methods of teaching sustainable development as a mandatory subject. The schools are currently planning a reciprocal visit to Finland for the spring to continue the exchange of pedagogical practices.

## Author Information
**Mia Vehviläinen** (mia.vehvilainen@edu.hel.fi)
Sustainable Future YAMK student and Sustainable Development teacher at Stadin ammatti- ja aikuisopisto.

## References
* Agenda 2030. Kestävän kehityksen tavoitteet. https://kestavakehitys.fi/agenda-2030
* E-perusteet. Opetushallitus. https://eperusteet.opintopolku.fi/#/fi/ammatillinen/6779583/rakenne
* Erasmusvaihto. Euroopan Unionin virallinen verkkosivu. https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/fi
* Oppimismateriaalit kestävä kehitys 2023. Stadin Ao Kampus 5. Classroom-oppimisympäristö. https://classroom.google.com/c/NjE4NTcwODc3MjUx
* Vehviläinen, Mia 2023. Erasmus Exchange. Valokuva, 1.6.2023. Lissabon: Mia Vehviläinen kokoelmat.
* Vehviläinen, Mia 2023. Val Do Rios flag Valokuva, 28.5.6.2023. Oeiras: Mia Vehviläinen kokoelmat.
* Vehviläinen, Mia 2023. The students had designed and produced great packaging materials from recycled cardboard. Valokuva, 27.5.2023. Oeiras: Mia Vehviläinen kokoelmat.
* Vehviläinen, Mia 2023. 3D prints. Valokuva, 30.5.2023. Lissabon: Mia Vehviläinen kokoelmat.
* Vehviläinen, Mia 2023. Hosts and guests. Valokuva, 2.6.2023. Oeiras: Mia Vehviläinen kokoelmat.