Unit 6:B- UN decade of Education for sustainable development (2005-2014)

       Presentation Link ( slide no.7 onwards )

The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 2014) (DESD) aimed at integrating the principles and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning, to encourage changes in knowledge, values and attitudes with the vision of enabling a more sustainable and just society for all.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND HOW CAN WE MAKE IT HAPPEN?

Sustainable development, a constantly evolving concept, is thus the will to improve everyone’s quality of life, including that of future generations, by reconciling economic growth, social development and environmental protection. As the above examples illustrate, improving the quality of life takes on a different aspect from one continent to another, from one region to another, and from one country to the next. No single continent, government, institution or individual, however, can attain this alone because the nature of the challenges to overcome requires a global, collective, and individual commitment. 

Improving the quality of our life implies a change in our learning. As UNESCO’s Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura stresses: "Education – in all its forms and at all levels – is not only an end in itself but is also one of the most powerful instruments we have for bringing about the changes required to achieve sustainable development." 

Education for Sustainable Development means having a different vision of the world.

• Fostering peace

• Fighting against global warming

• Reducing North/South inequalities and fighting against poverty

• Fighting against the marginalization of women and girls

WHY A DECADE OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

Education is a motor for change. That is why in December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly, through its Resolution 57/254, declared a Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005- 2014). It also designated UNESCO as the lead agency for the promotion of this Decade.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THE DECADE?

Throughout the Decade, education for sustainable development will contribute to enabling citizens to face the challenges of the present and future and leaders to make relevant decisions for a viable world.

OBJECTIVES :-

• Have acquired various skills (critical and creative thinking, communication, conflict management and problem solving strategies, project assessment) to take an active part in and contribute to the life of society.
• Be respectful of the Earth and life in all its diversity.
• Be committed to promoting democracy in a society without exclusion and where peace prevails. 
• Taking into account education in sustainable development plans.
• Creating public awareness of the importance of sustainable development.
• Having regular and substantial coverage of sustainable development issues in the media.                            

 HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE DECADE/ ACTION PLAN :

To attain the objectives mentioned above, the Decade will focus on following Action Plan:

• Promoting and improving quality education 

Basic education needs to focus on sharing knowledge, skills, values and perspectives throughout a lifetime of learning in such a way that it encourages sustainable livelihoods and supports citizens to live sustainable lives. 

• Reorienting educational programmes 

Rethinking and revising education from nursery school through university to include a clear focus on the development of knowledge, skills, perspectives and values related to sustainability is important to current and future societies. 

• Building public understanding and awareness 

Achieving the goals of sustainable development requires widespread community education and a responsible media committed to encouraging an informed and active citizenry. 

• Providing practical training 

All sectors of the workforce can contribute to local, regional and national sustainability. Business and industry are, thus, key sites for on-going vocational and professional training, so that all sectors of the workforce can have the knowledge and skills necessary to make decisions and perform their work in a sustainable manner.

This Decade will also seek to create synergies with the other global initiatives that preceded it, like the Millenium Development Goals. (MDGs) that centered on the reduction of poverty; Education For All (EFA) that focuses on the universal access to education; and the United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD) that aimed to provide adults with education. All share a common vision: education is the key to sustainable development

• Develop appropriate education programmes 

Thanks to the contributions of professionals from around the world, UNESCO proposes a free training programme on a CD-Rom: Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future (www.unesco.org/education/tlsf). Intended for teachers, educators, textbook writers and decision makers, this training programme offers 25 modules on many topics: consumer and health education, culture and religion, indigenous knowledge, women, agriculture and sustainable tourism. South Africa and Kyrgyzstan have already developed regional adaptations.

• Educate through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) 

In the community multi-media centers supported by UNESCO, local radios and Internet access are both a means of training and exchange for solving community problems. The Lumbini center in Nepal allows teachers, some living in remote places, to select teaching materials on Internet. This center supports democracy through public discussions on community life and allows information to be provided to local authorities. It also contributes to the development of sustainable tourism. Indeed, information is made available to tourists, and local young people in the community are trained as guides. 

• Change youth lifestyles in the West 

To lead young people and future adults in adopting viable lifestyle and consuming in a responsible way thanks to concrete information in an accessible language: such is the goal of the United Nations Environment Program and UNESCO. Following a study of the behaviors and ways of life of young people carried out in 2004, these two agencies developed and put online the YouthXchange web site (www.YouthXchange.net) in early 2005. Tested among young Westerners, this site yielded enthusiasm from both young people and teachers. A user’s guide for teachers, youth groups and NGOs, is also available in several languages, thanks to the support of various NGOs.

• Enhance the commitment of cities 

Half of the world’s population lives in cities, and urban areas with high concentration of factories and transportation are a major source of pollution. This is why cities also make commitments in favour of sustainable development (www.unep.org/wed/2005/). Since 1998, the town of Vevey, Switzerland, has implemented Agenda 21, an outcome of the Rio Earth Summit (1992). Vevey has adopted the Lisbon Action Plan of the European sustainable cities campaign. And from now on, this town wants to mobilize more effectively elected officials to widen partnerships, to sensitize citizens, and to support national programmes such as Energy 2000 (rational energy management and energy policy development at the local level). Locally elected officials as well as municipal employees are now strongly motivated. Developing social actions, increasing community participation and evaluating on-going actions remain challenges to overcome

CONCLUSION 

"Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract – sustainable development – and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people."