Wicked Problems Plaza
As part of their programme, the students were invited to the Wicked Problems Plaza (WPP) in The Hague, a concept created by PrC at RSM and the New World Campus. This facilitated multi-stakeholder dialogue enables a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss a wicked problem – a problem that’s difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory or changing requirements.
Sustainability in study programmes
A lack of integration of sustainability in current education programmes and in the university as a whole was the wicked problem that students addressed. The honours students acted out roles as deans, campus recruiters, parents, government officials, professors, and current and prospective students to explore the wickedness of the issue. Together, they envisaged their study programmes as if sustainability was fully integrated. Proposed solutions ranged from small sustainability side-projects, to a complete ban on cars on campus and a conversion of the university’s parking facilities into urban farms.
Partnering for solutions
The final phase of a WPP dialogue always includes use of a partnering space in which stakeholders consider how they can join forces. Here, different parties explore what they can contribute to the proposed solutions. Students continued to act out their roles as they suggested new ways of working together. How would all these stakeholders go about creating the change they said they wanted? One thing on which all stakeholders agreed was that a sustainable university cannot be achieved by technical solutions and financial instruments alone – human behaviour is an essential element.
Students and facilitators all enjoyed a lively and constructive discussion; the WPP said it hoped to welcome future cohorts of honours students again so they can learn how constructive discussion can be supported and maintained.
