Education For Sustainable Development

-It has been acknowledged that there Is no single route to sustainable Development.Furthermore, it is coherent that understandings and visions for sustainability will be different for each of us and that we will need to work together to negotiate the process of achieving sustainability.(UNESCO,2005)

The concept of sustainable development was popularized in 1987 with the publication of the “Brundtland Report”- The report of the world commission on Environment and Development.

Social Environment Economic Peace, Equity, Democracy Conservation Work, Money, Education Preservation Protection

Society an understanding of social institutions and their role in change and development as the democratic and participatory systems.

Environment an awareness of the resources and fragility of the physical environment and the effects on its human activity and decisions.

Economy a sensitivy to the limits and potential of economic growth and their impact on society and on the environment , with a commitment to assess personal and societal levels of consumptions out of concern for the environment and social justice.

Education for Sustainable Development is a dynamic concept that encompasses a new vision of education to empower people to assume resoinsibility for creating a sustainable future. is fundamentally about values, with respect at the centre, respect for others, including those of present and future generations, for difference and diversity, for the environment, and for the resources we inhabit.

Implementation An educated citizenry is vital to implementing informal and sustainable development. Nations with high illiteracy rates and unskilled workforces have fewer development options.

Decision making- Good community based decisions- which will affect social, economic and environmental well being- also depend on educated citizens. Quality of life- Education is also central to improving quality of life . Education raises the economic status of families.

Essential to ESD is the development of the following skills : Envisioning- Being able to imagine a future. Critical Thinking and reflection- Learning to question our current belief system and to recognize the assumptions underlying our knowledge, perspective and opinions. Systematic thinking- Acknowledging complexities and looking for links and synergies when trying to find solutins to problems.

Building parnertships- Promoting dialogue and negotiation, learning to work together. Participation in decision making – empowering people.

UNESCO’s Role in Education for Sustainable Development -In December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution putting in place a United Nations Decade for Sustainable Development Spanning form 2005 -2014. The founding values of ESD is respect: respect for others; Respect in the present and future generations Respect the planet and what it provides to us.

The DESD breaks down the traditional scheme and promotes : Interdesciplinary and holistic learning rather than subject based learning; Values-based learning Critical thinking rather than memorizing Multi-method approaches: word, art, drama, debates etc.. Participatory decision making; and Locally relevant informations, rather than national.

The DESD aims at changing the approach to education so that it can integrate the principles, values and practices of uistainable development. Its goals can be broken down in to four key objectives: Facilitating networking, and collaboration among stakeholders of ESD; Fostering greater quality of teaching and learning of environment topics; Supporting countries in achieving their millenium development goals through ESD efforts; and Providing contries with new opportunities and tools reform education.

UNESCO’s role including its member States are defined by the four major thrusts of ESD as follows: Improving access to quality basic education Reorienting exsitng educational porgram Developing public understanding and awareness; and Proving training

There are key action themes of Education for Sustainable Development Health promotion- Education and basic medical information are powerful ways to drive behavioral change. Environment- Teaching society how to behave responsibility and respect the environment lies at the core of education for sustainable development.

Gender Equality Rural Development The broader goal of gender equality is a societal goal to which education, along with all other social institutions, must contribute. Rural Development Education and trainging are essential in addressing rural poverty and ensuring sustainable development in these parts of the world.

Cultural Diversity Education must respect diversity. ESD aims at promoting teaching which respects indigenous and traditional knowledge and encourages the of indigenous language in education, the integration of worldviews and perspectives on sustainability into education programs at all levels.

Peace and Human Security Education for sustainable development plays a key role in promoting values or peace.

References : http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-sustainable-development/