Two University of Memphis representatives caught the eye of participants of the sustainability conference in Rio de Janeiro this summer with a paper they authored.
The U of M was "given the spotlight on the world's biggest stage for sustainable development at universities," wrote U of M's sustainability coordinator Amelia Mayahi in a conference write-up. She and architecture professor Jennifer Thompson represented the University at Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
There were three goals according to the conference website: "To secure renewed political commitment to sustainable development, to assess progress towards internationally agreed goals on sustainable development and to address new and emerging challenges."
The U of M was one of 57 colleges in attendance, and one of eight chosen to give a presentation.
Mayahi described the U of M as "an international icon" at the conference, which featured universities from Finland, China, the Netherlands, India and Australia.
The paper by Thompson and Mayahi explains how all elements of a university campus - students, faculty and staff - can work together to create a system for sustainable development.
"The goal is to create a culture of sustainability where it is at the heart of all we do as a campus and that we become more connected and transparent in that goal to create a healthier and safer environment," Mayahi said.
Thompson recently finished a recycle zone project in which she replaced an under-used outdoor space with a 100 percent sustainable environment, complete with seating, pathways, landscaping and one-of-a-kind recycle bins.
