Preparing decision-makers to take up the challenge of sustainable development

Under a joint initiative of the Conseil général d’Ile-et-Vilaine and the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie of Rennes Bretagne, supported by Ceser, the Conseil économique, social et environnemental régional Brittany, five Breton Higher education establishments have created CHEDD Bretagne.

A course of training for all regional partners who are concerned about the future in Brittany.

Through its actions, notably its 18-day sustainable development course, the College is playing an active role between the various partners: firms, administrations, public bodies, local bodies, the professions and associations. Generally speaking, the CHEDD trains managers in « sustainable development » (1), which it tackles at a strategic level and in every dimension, notably decision making, ethics and for society. It is also a question of developing in those responsible for deciding the most adequate policy for their organisation and to set-up strategies which incorporate the concerns of sustainable development as highlighted by representatives of the state, of firms, of associations and local bodies. The training proposed by the CHEDD is totally compatible with a professional activity. It is organised two days per month and concludes with a public meeting organised by those attending the training.

One «test session » from January and an « official opening » in October 2011

Gilbert Lainey, deputy-head of Télécom Bretagne, joins the CHEDD Bretagne

The first training session opens in October 2011. It ends in July 2012. The location is shared between Rennes, Brest, Saint-Brieuc and Lorient. A test session will open on 4th January. The theme of the closing conference of this session will be « Culture and sustainable development ». It will be held in Rennes on 5th July. Gabrielle Landrac, head of studies at Télécom Bretagne, will participate in this test session.

The CHEDD network

The very first CHEDD was created in Paris in 1995, under Jacques Brégeon, président de l’École des métiers de l’environnement and the Comité opérationnel Éducation du Grenelle. Il included Centrale Paris, l’ESCP-Europe and Agro ParisTech.

Since then, in response to various territorial problems, CHEDDs were created in different regions. They are combined in a CHEDD network. They share the same instruction and ethical reference and work together in a kind of « Think and do tank ». Besides the main annual session, the CHEDDs can organise sessions for different groups, as well as one or two-day strategic seminars on current themes or concerns of business or administrations. They can also organise, on demand, specific internal sessions as requested by firms or local administrations, as well as round tables and conferences. The CHEDD is an important service available to local communities to develop their own or their collective for a more reasonable and equitable society.

(1) concept originating at the Rio Summit in 1992, confirmed by that of Johannesburg in 2002 as a key for the 21^st century.