University of Lodz belongs to large organisations – almost 30 thousand people work and study with us. That is a very numerous group. Numerous enough to help us illustrate the scale of the problem, as well as the potential that comes with such a community. 

Forecasts of specialists are frightening – this is true. However, they are associated with this version of reality in which ordinary people do not take any actions – they stick to their habits and passively observe more and more catastrophic reports from the world of nature. However, we can still take a different course by implementing even minor changes.

Together we all have the power to affect the fate of the only planet on which life is possible. In the present day, each seemingly small gesture matters when thousands of people perform it every day.

With this in mind, we prepared #MałeWielkieKroki [LittleBIgSteps] – a catalogue of good eco practices of the University of Lodz. The document that shows which actions are within reach of any of us. It tells us, among others, how to implement the standards defined by us as a “green office” (or “green dorm”) and how to start functioning in accordance with the less waste pyramid, that is, tips to protect us from too much production of garbage and things.

Together with RMF FM journalists, the scientists from #UniLodz have recorded podcasts in which they talk about the concept of a conscious, good life. Together, we find out what to do to achieve this state.

We are proud to present the first corporate social responsibility report of the University of Lodz for 2017-2018. This is the result of actions undertaken by the University for social responsibility and the implementation of the principles of sustainable development. In 2017, we became a signatory of the Declaration of Social Responsibility, and in 2018 we signed the Diversity Charter. Our efforts have also been distinguished by the European Commission, thanks to which we can use the prestigious „HR Excellence in Research” logo. We are pleased that our pursuits in the area of improving the scientific and non-scientific dimension have been noticed, but we also have a sense of responsibility for actions and decisions, and we want to fulfill our commitments with even greater attention.

Social responsibility and sustainable development are important concepts that organise socio-economic life. As an important scientific, research and teaching centre, we want to implement and demonstrate how to implement socially responsible activities and those serving sustainable development in practice. We understand social responsibility as taking responsibility for your own decisions and their impact on the society and environment.

We are responsible for the quality of education of the future staff.  We meet the needs of business practice, we adapt education curricula to the needs of the labour market.  We undertake scientific challenges of great social and economic value. The results of our research work serve the society and support business development.  As a responsible employer, we strive to provide good working conditions and create opportunities for professional development.  We strengthen international cooperation and we are a partner for representatives of various sectors in the region and in the country.

The presented report provides key information about social responsibility activities undertaken over the last two years, when our activity in this area became more structured. This is the first document for the University of Lodz in which our understanding of social responsibility is explained.  By handing it over to you, we hope that we will inspire more universities to prepare their social reports and that we will encourage all our stakeholders to be even more active in the field of social responsibility.

We want the actions resulting from the report to shape the attitudes and behaviour of the University of Lodz employees.  Our ambition is to create a socially responsible environment inside and outside the University by showing good practices and inspiring further socially responsible activities.

CEIN, i.e., the University of Lodz Center for Social Innovation, was established on the initiative of the following Faculties of the University of Lodz: Faculty of Philosophy and History, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Economics and Sociology.

The field of interests and activities of the Centre includes, first of all, broadly understood social innovation, understood as innovative, non-standard solutions to social challenges and problems.  The Centre also undertakes the implementation of the idea of social responsibility of the University and the promotion of the University of Lodz in the local environment.