Towards More Sustainable, Equitable and Just Internationalisation Practices: The Case of Internationalisation Conferences

Abstract

In this article, we offer a critical perspective on the interrelationship between internationalisation and sustainability, particularly regarding the contribution higher education internationalisation practices reliant on mobility have made to climate degradation. Specifically, we focus on carbon emissions linked to air travel in the context of in-person internationalisation conferences. Drawing on decolonial approaches and lived realities in the global South, we argue that a return to pre-pandemic practices in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and, more importantly, an existential climate crisis, is highly irresponsible, unjust and exclusionary. We raise issues and propose questions for internationalisation professionals and organisations to consider, unpack and action, both individually and collectively, aiming to move away from exclusionary and harmful internationalisation practices and to bring about change for a new and better ‘normal’ for all.

Environmental Sustainability and Internationalization in Higher Education: A New Frontier in Research, Policy and Practice

“…Potential improvements in these rankings and ways in which the administrative burden of supplying and analyzing data can be strengthened are also suggested. For their part, Chasi and Heleta (2022) train their sights on the environmental impact of large-scale, in-person international education conferences. From their perspective, not only is the physical health of the planet a casualty of these high carbon footprint events, but questions of social, political and economic justice and equity are also in play.…”