“Sustainability is the backbone of quality”
Jan Piscaer has been a forefighter of sustainability within Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI) for years. He joined the platform 'Modebewust' and he is one of the initiators of the annual symposium Beyond Green. At AMFI, Jan teaches machine techniques and develops sustainability (fashion) projects for students.
10 Q&A's with Jan Piscaer
1. What is AMFI's philosophy on sustainability as a part of the educational program?
The criterium 'sustainability' is an integral part of our rating criteria. The student symposium Beyond Green is a succes; we have reached a lot of students with the first two editions. Besides that I would like to develop more long term projects within AMFI.
2. How do you promote AMFI as a school that addresses 'sustainability' with new students?
During the open day on November 2008 we had an exposition of the products of our so called 'Sustainability Week'. During the first lessons we also pay a lot of attention to this subject.
3. How sustainable is AMFI itself?
Well, fair trade coffee is our standard. Besides that we recycle our paper and we print efficiently on both sides. But we could do a lot more.
4. How do you integrate the subject in your program, as a teacher?
My idea is that students will learn to take their responsibility by letting them discover the subject for themselves, by working with other materials and alternative solutions. In that way, sustainability comes 'alive'.
5. In what way did sustainability become a part of fashion educations within the last five years?
At universities, a lot of new, interesting collaborations take place. Cross-educational collaborations would be very interesting for fashion schools as well. AMFI is seriously looking for new collaborations with the English organisation Fashioning an Ethical Industry.
6. Are students interested in sustainability at all?
Attention grows. This is very well visible by looking at the subjects of their final projects: there is a lot of attention for CSR, sustainability and other 'conscious' topics.
7. Can you name some examples of sustainable projects, done by students?
During the course Mundial, other cultures and sustainability play an important role. Students in this course have designed 'Hiphones' wristbands and T-shirts in collaboration with Move Your World and Dutch Spirit, and they have shown their designs during the music festival Parkpop in Den Haag.
8. How could you raise the interest of students?
By approaching sustainability as a modern subject and by giving students the rigt angles for projects. You have to make sure that they know where to find the right information.
9. How do you see the future of sustainability in fashion schools?
If we succeed in integrating sustainability thoroughly in fashion education, fashion will definitely become even more valuable.
10. Any advice for students and teachers who want to learn more about sustainability?
Yes. Check www.modebewust.nu on a regular basis; sign up for newsletters; join meetings about the subject; work together with students or people who are already 'into' the subject.
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