FROM GOODWILL TO PRACTICAL SOLUTION: UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development

What is UNECE? UNECE is the regional body of the United NationsUNECE is the regional body of the United Nations UNECE includes 55 member States: entire Europe, all post Soviet-countries, Turkey, Israel, Canada and the United StatesUNECE includes 55 member States: entire Europe, all post Soviet-countries, Turkey, Israel, Canada and the United States UNECE ‘s major role is to shape policies in the region in different fields, including economy, transport, energy, and environmentUNECE ‘s major role is to shape policies in the region in different fields, including economy, transport, energy, and environment

UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development

A BIT OF HISTORY The Regional Ministerial Meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Geneva, 2001)The Regional Ministerial Meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Geneva, 2001) The World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002)The World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002) Preparation to the Fifth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" (Kiev, 2003)Preparation to the Fifth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" (Kiev, 2003)

FROM KIEV to BELGRADE… What was the problem? EE or ESDEE or ESD What ESD should be about? It is about everything!?What ESD should be about? It is about everything!? Close cooperation of different actors, including different Ministries in the capitalsClose cooperation of different actors, including different Ministries in the capitals How to involve Education Ministers?How to involve Education Ministers? Which forms of education it should address? All!?Which forms of education it should address? All!? Charter, Protocol, Guidelines, Strategy….Charter, Protocol, Guidelines, Strategy….

There were too many “No”s, but the most important there was Goodwill ! Fifth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" (Kiev, 2003): Statement by UNECE Environment Ministers

FROM KIEV to BELGRADE… Recent Developments Establishment of the UNECE Task Force on ESD to develop the Strategy (Geneva, 2003)Establishment of the UNECE Task Force on ESD to develop the Strategy (Geneva, 2003) Drafting the Strategy by the UNECE Task Force on ESD (February-July, 2004)Drafting the Strategy by the UNECE Task Force on ESD (February-July, 2004)

FROM KIEV to BELGRADE… Future Steps Expected endorsement of the Strategy by the CEP (Geneva, October, 2004)Expected endorsement of the Strategy by the CEP (Geneva, October, 2004) Adoption of the Strategy by the High-Level Meeting of Environment and Education Ministries: regional launching of the Decade (early 2005)Adoption of the Strategy by the High-Level Meeting of Environment and Education Ministries: regional launching of the Decade (early 2005) Implementation of the Strategy - March 2005…Implementation of the Strategy - March 2005… First review of the progress in implementation by the Ministers of Environment and Education – “Environment for Europe” Conference (Belgrade, 2007)First review of the progress in implementation by the Ministers of Environment and Education – “Environment for Europe” Conference (Belgrade, 2007)

THE STRATEGY Is developed through participatory process involving governments and various stakeholdersIs developed through participatory process involving governments and various stakeholders It is international soft law document and is meant to serve as a flexible framework and its implementation can be adapted to each country’s priorities, specific needs and circumstances. Therefore, the document is based on a general consensus.It is international soft law document and is meant to serve as a flexible framework and its implementation can be adapted to each country’s priorities, specific needs and circumstances. Therefore, the document is based on a general consensus. It will be adopted by UNECE member States. States outside the region are also encouraged to follow it.It will be adopted by UNECE member States. States outside the region are also encouraged to follow it.

THE STRATEGY Is addressed to governments, motivating and advising them on how to develop policies and practices that incorporate sustainable development into education and learning with the involvement of educators and other stakeholdersIs addressed to governments, motivating and advising them on how to develop policies and practices that incorporate sustainable development into education and learning with the involvement of educators and other stakeholders Encourages interdepartmental and multi-stakeholder cooperation and partnershipsEncourages interdepartmental and multi-stakeholder cooperation and partnerships Addresses policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks, curriculum, methodology, tools and materials and international cooperationAddresses policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks, curriculum, methodology, tools and materials and international cooperation

THE STRATEGY Supports the implementation of the communication, education, public-participation and awareness-raising provisions of multilateral environmental and other relevant agreements, such as the Aarhus ConventionSupports the implementation of the communication, education, public-participation and awareness-raising provisions of multilateral environmental and other relevant agreements, such as the Aarhus Convention Recognizes importance of role of different stakeholders, e.g. NGOs. media, education communityRecognizes importance of role of different stakeholders, e.g. NGOs. media, education community Its provisions are very supportive to the activities of the regional and sub-regional networks, like Copernicus-CampusIts provisions are very supportive to the activities of the regional and sub-regional networks, like Copernicus-Campus

Aim of the Strategy  To encourage UNECE member States to develop and incorporate ESD into their formal education systems, in all relevant subjects, and in non-formal and informal education

Objectives of the Strategy Ensure that policy, regulatory and operational frameworks support ESDEnsure that policy, regulatory and operational frameworks support ESD Promote SD through formal, non-formal and informal learningPromote SD through formal, non-formal and informal learning Equip educators with the competence to include SD in their teachingEquip educators with the competence to include SD in their teaching Ensure that adequate tools and materials for ESD are accessibleEnsure that adequate tools and materials for ESD are accessible Promote research on and development of ESDPromote research on and development of ESD Strengthen cooperation on ESD at all levels within the UNECE regionStrengthen cooperation on ESD at all levels within the UNECE region

Some challenges in implementing the Strategy Absence of an agreed ESD definitionAbsence of an agreed ESD definition Confusions in understanding of EE and ESDConfusions in understanding of EE and ESD Inflexibility of education systemsInflexibility of education systems ESD is not included in national legislation in many countriesESD is not included in national legislation in many countries Institutional and policy frameworks are not supportive to ESD in most of the countriesInstitutional and policy frameworks are not supportive to ESD in most of the countries

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