Inner Sustainability
KI's strategy 2030 emphasises sustainability environmentally, globally, socially and in working life. Although the concept of sustainability is well-known and practiced in many arenas worldwide, integrating it into academia is still an ongoing process.
We live in a time of high awareness of the importance of promoting the sustainability of our planet. But to achieve the necessary changes in external sustainability, we may need to start with our internal sustainability. As doctoral students at one of the world's best universities, we are in a privileged position in terms of our intellectual environment, relative economic security, and education. Nevertheless, it is important to continue to monitor and improve the work environment for doctoral students at KI, especially regarding mental health, stress management, and emotional and spiritual well-being.
Seeing the whole person is emphasized in KI's vision as well as in Agenda 2030 and in our local work to promote health for doctoral students. Therefore, we in the NVS doctoral student council have chosen an extra focus on inner sustainability as a prerequisite for inspiration, mental, emotional and spiritual health, insights, focus and problem-solving. We believe that an increased awareness of inner sustainability can improve not only personal well-being but also academic outcomes. Having an inner balance provides the conditions for consideration and reflection when we make decisions and choose directions.
The doctoral student council has previously organized an "Inner Sustainability Week" and lectures from these occasions can be found below (two in Swedish and two in English). In October 2024 we are holding an Inner Sustainability Month; a whole month of activities focusing on inner sustainability. We warmly welcome all doctoral students but also others to be part of it!
Below you will find four of the lectures from previous years, two of which are held in Swedish and two in English as well as links the events.