Exploring the Inner Dimensions of Sustainability
To evolve towards a sustainable human civilization, outer change is necessary and valuable. Scientific progress, smarter technologies and effective policy can certainly help us build future-proof societies. But knowledge alone does not necessarily grant us the wisdom to navigate the daunting challenges we face. For systems change to really take root, we believe cultivating the inner dimensions of sustainability is equally important. That’s why We Are Nature joined forces with Spiritual Ecology Netherlands to develop learning programs to facilitate this type of learing.
Times are urgent. Let us slow down.
From knowledge to wisdom
Joint pilot course at Leiden University: 2026-2027
This year we initaited a project from our shared dream: that in a world of transition, students are empowered to meet the unavoidable challenges and uncertainties of this time with resilience, trust and creative power. We want to equip them with tools to change the world from the inside out, and play their role in the collective transition towards a life-sustaining society. We believe that when students are equipped with the skills to stay connected to themselves, to understand and relate deeply to others, and to engage with the other-than-human world, they are more likely to thrive – both personally and professionally – and to approach their work with insight, care, and effectiveness.
Master course at Leiden University
Sustainability challenges are not just technical problems —they are also human, emotional, and relational challenges. We are developing an experiential module that invites students to explore the inner capacities that help them as sustainability professionals to stay grounded, resilient, and connected while working on complex global issues. Through reflection, dialogue, nature-based practices, and systems thinking, we explore how inner awareness and outer change belong together.
The pilot runs in 2026-2027 as an add-on to the Sustainability Challenge in which master students of Industrial Ecology and Governance of Sustainaility can participate.
Cultivating wisdom and resilience
We see that working on sustainability challenges involve dealing with uncertainty, moral complexity and emotional intensity. These cannot be addressed by analysis alone. Practices such as reflection, dialogue, and embodied awareness help students develop critical skills and cultivate qualities that help them navigate these challenges.
We aim to support an educational system that helps students cultivate their inner capacities and build resilience, preparing them to navigate the complexity and challenges of the professional world they will enter. The courses that we develop have this aim to enrich the current curricula of universities.
Joint project with Leiden University
This project is a cooperation between We Are Nature, Spiritual Ecology Netherlands, Leiden University, and is co-funded by Gemeente Leiden (Ondewijs Innovatiefonds).
Drawing on our joint experiences both within university education and contemplative and ancient wisdom traditions, mindfulness, Systems Theory, and Spiritual Ecology – we have developed a project in which we plan to integrate these relational and inner-oriented approaches into higher education, backed up by a scientific impact study on it’s effectiveness.
Meet the team!
Annick is an integral coach, trainer, and supervisor with 30+ years facilitating personal and collective transformation. Director of Spiritual Ecology Netherlands, her work integrates Buddhist and Western psychology, neurobiology, and Systems Thinking. Mindfulness lecturer at the University of Aberdeen.
Annick Nevejan
Faciliator, director Spiritual Ecology Netherlands
Noortje studied Cultural Anthropology and Industrial Ecology at Leiden University. Through her organization We Are Nature, she develops community and school projects reconnecting people with nature, integrating Buddhist teachings and Spiritual Ecology as pathways for inner and outer transformation.
Noortje Schrauwen
Facilitator
Joël studied philosophy and religion and has a wide experience working as a lecturer and coach in higher education. Together with Spiritual Ecology Netherlands, he works towards rethinking and designing ecological education that lives up to the unique challenges that our culture is facing today.
Joel Zwaan
Faciliator
Do you want to get involved?
Does this page resonate with you and are you interested to learn more or practice along with us? Let us know! Spiritual Ecology Netherlands offers a range of different events, courses and retreats and has an active community of practictioners and social gatherings, fit for any age or background.