Building Knowledge about ESD Indicators Day Two Session 3 Building Knowledge about ESD Indicators

Key questions for the session: This sessions gives you an opportunity to build on current knowledge and understanding of ESD indicators. Key questions for the session: What indicator types are most suitable for measuring progress toward your national DESD goals and priorities? Understand indicator types

2. Which stakeholders will be involved in the development of national ESD indicators? The importance of including stakeholders in the process of developing indicators 3. What challenges do you face in developing ESD indicators? How can you overcome these challenges? Working through checklists; discussions

Indicator Types It is useful to think of ESD indicators as belonging to four ESD indicator categories: Status indicators – to determine the position of ESD in a country Facilitative indicators – to assess the variables that assist, support or encourage engagement with ESD Effect indicators – look at variables relating to initial, medium and long-term achievements Communication indicators – communicate the results of assessment (these will play less of an assessment role during the DESD)

Baseline Indicators: identify the status of the overall ESD picture Baseline Indicators: identify the status of the overall ESD picture. They tell us the initial or existing position of ESD within a country or region. e.g. % of the population aware of key ESD issues

Baseline Indicators: identify the status of the overall ESD picture Baseline Indicators: identify the status of the overall ESD picture. They tell us the initial or existing position of ESD within a country or region. e.g. % of the population aware of key ESD issues Context Indicators: identify the existence of ESD support systems such as governance mechanisms, institutional support systems and public opinions, and whether or not these are assisting to embed ESD within a country. e.g. a formal structure for interdepartmental co-operation exists at the national level on issues of ESD

Process Indicators: identify the existence of ESD processes and activities, telling us the level of engagement with ESD that is occurring within a country or region. e.g. To what extent do ESD training workshops involve educators from across the education system?

Process Indicators: identify the existence of ESD processes and activities, telling us the level of engagement with ESD that is occurring within a country or region. e.g. To what extent do ESD training workshops involve educators from across the education system? Learning Indicators: require processes of data provision and collection that inspires learning beyond the understanding of the data itself. This occurs in at least two places.

Learning indicators continued…. Learning during the indicator development process Learning among stakeholders about ESD and indicators during the development and revision process

Learning indicators continued…. Learning during the indicator development process Learning among stakeholders about ESD and indicators during the development and revision process Learning from the application of the indicators themselves Stakeholders have the ability to state what they think their achievements will be and to contribute suggestions that improve the indicators developed e.g. To what extent do indicators promote learning?

Output indicators: assess outputs such as tools and learning resources Output indicators: assess outputs such as tools and learning resources. ESD outputs include ESED information kits for the media or support materials for schools and administrators e.g. Number of titles and copies produced of curriculum ESD materials for schools

Output indicators: assess outputs such as tools and learning resources Output indicators: assess outputs such as tools and learning resources. ESD outputs include ESED information kits for the media or support materials for schools and administrators e.g. Number of titles and copies produced of curriculum ESD materials for schools Outcome indicators: assess outcomes related to change or improvements that result from ESD efforts. Outcomes are achievements brought about by a program, project or activity e.g. Improved competencies of organisations to work in partnership to accomplish sustainability goals

Impact Indicators: assess impacts that result from ESD efforts at the end of the DESD and beyond. Impacts are longer-term cumulative effects of a program, project or activity that embody lasting changes e.g. An increasing number of businesses are reorganising and realigning policy and practice towards sustainability

Impact Indicators: assess impacts that result from ESD efforts at the end of the DESD and beyond. Impacts are longer-term cumulative effects of a program, project or activity that embody lasting changes e.g. An increasing number of businesses are reorganising and realigning policy and practice towards sustainability Performance indicators: assess the increase in the status of the overall ESD picture in a region or country. They are baseline indicators that are used at a later point in time to tell us how we have changed from our ESD position e.g. Increase in the % of population aware of ESD issues.

Now…….. Activity 1!

Transforming ESD priorities into indicators Appropriate indicators are those that correspond to national ESD goals and priorities. When considering the appropriate indicator it is often useful to ask questions such as: What does the indicator assess? Why would you use the indicator? What are the benefits of using the indicator over another? What are the limitations of the indicator?

Indicators are most useful when developed by breaking down broad goals into specific targets. Targets include specific information and allow indicators to be grouped according to national ESD goals and priorities. National Action Plans for the DESD provide a practical resource from which to develop ESD indicators. Use the priorities identified by your country to complete the next task. Activity 2……

Developing Indicators Developing effective ESD indicators requires careful consideration of what constitutes a ‘good’ process in each country. Participatory and learning processes provide a vehicle through which stakeholders can be engaged and motivated to make long-lasting decisions and actions.

Key elements of the ESD indicator development process

Key elements of the ESD indicator development process Multi-stakeholder: engaging multiple stakeholders from a wide range of areas and sectors of society

Key elements of the ESD indicator development process Multi-stakeholder: engaging multiple stakeholders from a wide range of areas and sectors of society Participation: The process goes beyond pure consultation to involving participants in decision-making and action-taking

Combination top-down and bottom-up approaches: Each has strengths and weaknesses. Combining both approaches provides for a stronger outcome.

Combination top-down and bottom-up approaches: Each has strengths and weaknesses. Combining both approaches provides for a stronger outcome. Facilitation: The main role for those who lead the development of the framework is to be facilitators, providing participants with encouragement and support and the structural base to ensure above points can be achieved.

Transparent: At all stages, ensure the process is clearly articulated and open to public input

Transparent: At all stages, ensure the process is clearly articulated and open to public input Capacity building for decision-making: Participation in the process provides opportunities to increase knowledge, skills and ability to be involved in the decision-making processes.

Stages in the ESD indicator development process At least six stages, all of which should reflect the key elements. Now…… Activity 3!

Challenges If time… Activity 4 Discussion about challenges and needs with respect to ESD indicator development …….thinking about how these can be overcome.