Lessons for technology education from social, ethical and environmental audits

Design and Technology education has a crucial role to play in preparing young people for responsible citizenship. Technological literacy will be needed in order to evaluate and influence what is happening in societies dominated by globalisation and its technological underpinning. Companies are increasingly taking seriously their responsibility for sustainable development (sustainable for the life of the planet and for human communities). The social, ethical and environmental audits that are being conducted can bring to life for students the human and environmental context of technological projects, and highlight the criteria for quality that might meet the demands of sustainable development. Furthermore, students can be inspired by the people-centred details contained in the audits to examine and debate the fundamental perspectives and commitments on which the pursuit of sustainable development is based. This can strengthen their own values, skills and aptitudes which are needed both to make value judgements in the course of designing and making products, and to handle their responsibilities in the future.