The Association of German Language Schools and Language Travel Organizers e. V. (FDSV) represents globally networked organizations, companies and associations through its member companies. What they all have in common is that they promote education and intercultural exchange and make it possible to experience them.
An essential service offered by FDSV member companies is travel offers: customers from Germany travel around the world to experience other cultures and learn their languages. Foreign guests travel to Germany to get to know German culture and language.
The members of the FDSV are aware of their responsibility to make their offers and services as sustainable as possible: on the one hand, in order to minimize the ecological footprint resulting from their activities as much as possible, ¬but on the other hand, because their task is to promote international understanding and thus a socio-cultural opportunity and challenge that contributes to sustainable social development globally.
Although the predominant aspects of this code are aimed at ecological factors, it must also be noted that the core service of FDSV members pursues the aspect of sustainable development through high-quality education and lifelong learning. This applies primarily to the customers but also to the ¬carers assigned to the target group of young guests, who ¬develop their personality through their tasks in accompanying the guests and in conveying cultural values.
The contents of a “17 Sustainable Development Goals” formulated by the United Nations (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of sustainable business are already very diverse in themselves. The specific tasks and implementation steps derived from this ¬are almost unmanageable. Pursuing ¬any sustainability strategy is even more complex for the members of the FDSV because their partners (agencies, educational institutions, tourism service ¬providers) are always distributed worldwide – and are therefore subject to very different national requirements in terms of acceptance and feasibility.
This makes it all the more important for the members of the FDSV to formulate clear goals, the achievement of which they want to actively help shape and make possible when creating their offering. This often reveals a discrepancy between the theoretically necessary goal to be achieved and the practical feasibility ¬.
This Sustainability Code compiles the aspects that ¬can and should be worked on together and by each individual member – internally and externally. As the framework conditions continue to develop, this code will also be continually supplemented and made more specific.
The aspects of ecologically, economically and socially sustainable business of the member companies of the FDSV
Mobility
FDSV members provide their customers with comprehensive information about the available means of transport for arrival and departure, including buses, trains and flights. Various aspects are evaluated, such as distance, time required, quality, safety and environmental impact. The assessment also includes the time required in relation to the planned length of stay as well as the CO 2 emissions of the individual means of transport. When traveling by air, travel to and from the airport is also included.
to reduce CO 2 emissions. For long-distance destinations outside of Europe, a stay of at least two weeks is recommended, while for medium-haul European destinations, one week is considered appropriate.
2 pollution is unavoidable on every tourist trip , the FDSV members provide recommendations for compensating for these emissions. In the future, CO 2 compensation should be offered when booking or included in the travel price, ensuring that the climate ¬protection projects meet the highest standards.
The selection of means of transport within the destination country takes -ecological and economic criteria into account, with existing bus and train connections being preferred provided they are reasonable in terms of quality and safety.
Local public transport is preferred over private transport because it is not only more climate-friendly, but also enables people to get to know the country they are traveling to and its residents more intensively.
Destination
When selecting travel destinations, care is taken to give preference to regions that strive to protect the environment. The partner schools are selected according to their environmental protection standards and are encouraged ¬to implement ecological measures, both in school operations and in leisure activities and excursion destinations.
The local population is integrated into tourism and deployed in various areas to contribute to securing local living ¬standards. Clear rules and protection concepts against discrimination, violence and racism are defined and implemented.¬
Achievers
When selecting partner schools and other service providers, sustainable aspects are taken into account, and the consistent aim is to reduce business trips through the use of digital communication.
Attention is paid to local accommodation and regional purchases to support the local economy and reduce environmental impact.
When selecting leisure activities, care is taken to ensure that they suit the length of stay and environmental impact, and activities are ¬offered that bring participants closer to nature, the environment and culture.
Attention is paid to an inclusive corporate culture that promotes diversity and ensures fair pay and good working conditions. Training is offered to increase awareness of sustainability and employees are involved in decision-making processes.
Selection is based on qualifications and training is ¬provided, particularly in the area of child protection. Attention is paid to clear rules and protection concepts in order to prevent discrimination and violence.
Agencies
In collaboration with agencies, ecological standards are taken into account -and agreements are made to promote sustainability criteria. Communication is largely digital in order to ¬reduce paper consumption, and local projects are financially supported.
Customer communication
Communication is transparent and honest regarding ecological and sustainable factors, and care is taken to avoid plastic waste. Consultations are offered digitally, and sustainability is an ¬integral part of the consultation. Travel documents are provided digitally and attention is paid to cultural preparation of customers.
Pursue
The company is committed to energy and water saving measures and promotes process digitalization. It prefers public transport ¬for business trips and invests sustainably wherever possible. It ¬guarantees fair pay and offers training and participation ¬opportunities for employees. Processes are regularly reviewed and new ideas on sustainability are encouraged, while -measures taken are communicated both internally and externally.
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The FDSV and its members are convinced: On the basis of this code and its continuation, we can continuously develop our activities and our offerings to achieve sustainable language schools and language travel offerings.
