A new breed of change agent emerges from Viridis Graduate Institute’s online classroom in a world grappling with environmental and social challenges. These graduates are not just armed with degrees; they wield a powerful blend of ecological psychology and environmental humanities. They are the torchbearers of a different narrative that seeks to transform detrimental policies and practices for the betterment of our planet and society.
The Visionaries of Viridis
Founded in 2011 by Dr. Lori Pye, a pioneer in the field of ecological psychology, Viridis Graduate Institute was established with a different vision – to reconfigure narratives that underpin destructive behavior and practices. The institute offers a distinctive education for a world desperately seeking sustainable solutions.
A Transdisciplinary Curriculum for Change
The curriculum at Viridis is as unique as the institution itself. It transcends traditional boundaries, drawing knowledge from diverse fields such as ecology, psychology, native science, art, neuroscience, and literature. Graduates emerge with degrees and a holistic understanding of the intricate web that binds human narratives and the planet’s well-being.
At the heart of Viridis’ teachings lies the concept of ecological psychology. It is the understanding that our planet is not an inert backdrop but a dynamic force that acts upon all life forms much as we act upon it. This realization forms the bedrock of the Viridis approach, igniting the spark for transformation.
Generating Ethical Resolutions
Viridis graduates are not just scholars; they are advocates for doing things differently. Equipped with their unique education, they tackle complex and contested environmental, social, and economic issues head-on. They are prepared to generate ethical resolutions, cutting through the complexity of today’s world with clarity and vision.
VGI graduates have the power to shift outmoded paradigms. They understand that the problems plaguing our world, from climate disruptions to the devastating effects of ecocide, culturecide, and genocide, have deep-seated roots in human narratives and practices. Through their expertise in ecological psychology, Viridis graduates are helping to rewrite detrimental narratives.
Bridging the Gap
What sets Viridis apart is its academic rigor and focus on practical application. Graduates don’t just critique policies and practices; they actively work to transform them. They engage with communities, organizations, and institutions, nudging them toward responsive and responsible narratives. This engagement ripples outward, affecting the sustainability and flourishing of all life, land-waterscapes, society, culture, and more.
A Global Impact
Viridis Graduate Institute aims to have a global impact with students worldwide. Its special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) places it at the forefront of international efforts for higher living standards, economic and social progress, and universal respect for human rights. As a United States Sustainable Development Solutions Network (US-SDSN) member, Viridis actively advocates for more pluralistic approaches to sustainability. This is not just education; it’s a movement.
A Call to Join the Movement
Viridis Graduate Institute is not just an educational institution; it’s a catalyst for reconfiguring narrative and practices damaging a shared planet. Its graduates are the vanguards of a new era, equipped with the knowledge and conviction to transform policies and practices for the well-being of our planet and all its inhabitants.
The world desperately needs informed and skilled practitioners like those emerging from Viridis. The problems we face are complex, but the solutions begin with reconfiguring detrimental narratives, a transformation in how we relate to the planet and its inhabitants, that includes each other. The impact of Viridis graduates on policy and practices is a testament to the power of education to create a more sustainable future.