Center for Transdisciplinary Promotion of Sustainable Development OdRaST

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Poljička cesta 35
21 000 Split

Head of the Center

Asst. Prof. Ivana Restović, Ph.D.
irestovic@ffst.hr

Center members:

Assoc. Prof. Bruno Curko, Ph.D.
bcurko@ffst.hr

Assoc. Prof. Ivanka Buzov, Ph.D.
ibuzov@ffst.hr

Assoc. Prof. Marita Brčić Kuljiš, Ph.D.
mbrcic@ffst.hr

Asst. Prof. Mila Bulic, Ph.D.
mbulic@ffst.hr

Tamara Ljubičić,
Head of the department for international cooperation and public relations
ljubicic@ffst.hr

ABOUT THE CENTER OdRaST

The green transition is one of the strategic priorities of the EU in the coming period, and sustainability is one of the key development principles. In order to contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, to implement the knowledge and develop the need for life in the only possible acceptable way, the idea of establishing the Center for Transdisciplinary Promotion of Sustainable Development - OdRaST was born.

The OdRaST Center will promote the global sustainable development goals by connecting its three fundamental components: society, the environment and the economy, encouraging processes of awareness, reflection and efforts aimed at modern economic and social development in a protected environment.

TASKS OF THE CENTER OdRaST

The basic task of the OdRaST Center is to enable the promotion and realization of sustainable development goals not only through education, but also through the implementation of various activities of lifelong and socially useful learning, a transdisciplinary approach research, innovative and original projects, high-quality interactive forums among students and teachers of the Faculty , including employees of the University of Split. Special attention will be given to cooperation with local and wider community stakeholders, as well as experts of various profiles at the national and international level, with an emphasis on international cooperation with related centers and/or other institutions and faculties, which creates a basis for intellectual exchange and accumulation of contributions from different actors, disciplines, activities and institutions that see a certain problem from their own perspectives.

The establishment of the Center OdRaST is in line with the goals of the Development Strategy of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Split 2021-2025. and with the Strategy of the University of Split 2021-2025.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The aspiration of modern society is to live in prosperity with economic development, respecting the needs of all people and preserving the environment, in other words to live in a sustainable way. The concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in different ways depending on the viewing perspective, therefore there are numerous definitions of sustainable development in literature and everyday speech. However, each definition has in common the term balance, which refers to "satisfying the needs of the present generation, without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs."

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

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19.10.2025

A Study Trip to Jadro: Education on Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

The field trip, organized in collaboration with the OdRaST Center and led by Professors Ivana Jadrić, Marita Brčić Kuljiš, and Ivana Restović, highlighted the importance of nature conservation in the context of global challenges.

Jadro, as part of a special ichthyological reserve, serves as a case study in environmental protection. Under expert guidance, the students learned about the natural heritage and the vulnerability of the soft-mouthed trout (Salmo obtusirostris salonitana), an endemic species whose survival depends on the stability of the Jadro river ecosystem.

The soft-mouthed trout as an indicator of change:

The soft-mouthed trout has a narrowly restricted habitat, and its small population is particularly vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic influences. Increased water temperatures, changes in water levels, and pollution directly affect its survival. The declaration of the upper course of the Jadro river as a protected ichthyological reserve in 1984 was a crucial step in the fight against the extinction of this species.

Sustainability and education:

The field trip to Jadro Park highlighted the role of education for sustainable development. The students explored an educational trail with ten "knowledge platforms," which covered ecological, historical, and cultural aspects. Special emphasis was placed on:

The Special Ichthyological Reserve Jadro: Learning about measures for protecting and managing the sensitive ecosystem.
Vegetation and native plants: Researching biodiversity and the role of native plants in habitat preservation, particularly on the restored tuff quarry converted into a sensory polygon.
The "Jadro – Source of Life" Project: Familiarization with sustainable projects that contributed to the area's revitalization.

The workshops allowed students to actively participate in sustainability-promoting activities:

Seed ball making: An initiative to spread native plants and increase biodiversity.
Research task: An activity that encourages critical thinking about ecological challenges and solutions.

The field trip to Jadro is an example of how fieldwork can improve the understanding of ecological problems and motivate future teachers to actively participate in promoting sustainable development and combating climate change.

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