7/28/2019 Memobpi39 Sustainabledvpt En

1/2

Bureau of Public Information

memobpi

Education for Sustainable DevelopmentFor nearly 60 years, UNESCO has worked to promoteand improve education. The Organization leads the UNDecade of Education for Sustainable Development

(2005-2014).

UNESCO first demonstrated itsconcern for sustainabledevelopment in the Science

Sector. Today, that goal is present in allUNESCO fields of competence education, the social and humansciences, science, culture andcommunication. In December 2002, theUnited Nations General Assembly,through its Resolution 57/254, declared

a Decade of Education for SustainableDevelopment (2005-2014) anddesignated UNESCOas the lead agency.

The basic vision ofthe Decade is a worldwhere everyone hasthe opportunity tobenefit fromeducation and learnthe values,behaviours andlifestyles required fora sustainable futureand for positive societaltransformation. Thistranslates into four objectives:

facilitate networking, linkages,exchange and interaction amongstakeholders in Education forSustainable Development (ESD);

foster an increased quality of teachingand learning in ESD;

help countries to make progresstowards and attain the MillenniumDevelopment Goals;

provide countries with newopportunities to incorporate ESD intoeducation reform efforts.

This vision is reinforced by the 2003General Conference 32 C/Resolution17 reaffirming UNESCO's support tothe Earth Charter and recognizing it asan important ethical framework forsustainable development.

WHAT IS ESD? education that allows learners toacquire the skills, capacities, values

and knowledge required to ensuresustainable development;

education at all levelsand in all socialcontexts (family,school, workplace,community);

Educa

tionforSustainable

Development

education that fostersresponsible citizensand promotesdemocracy by allowingindividuals and

communities to enjoytheir rights and fulfilltheir responsibilities;

UN DESD logo

education for life-long learning;

education that fosters the balanceddevelopment of the individual.

Throughout the Decade, ESD willcontribute to enabling citizens to facethe challenges of the present and futureand leaders to make relevant decisions

for a viable world.

As lead agency, UNESCO will beproactive, and all parts of theOrganization will work together in anintersectoral manner to ensure thesuccess of the Decade.

This information sheet is not an official UNESCO document. It aims to provide the public with information on the theme of Education for Sustainable Development developed during the 39th (05 11/06/ 2006) of the 60th anniversary of UNESCO.

7/28/2019 Memobpi39 Sustainabledvpt En

2/2

Landmarks of UNESCOs involvement in sustainable development

In 1968, UNESCO organized the first intergovernmental conference to reconcileenvironment and development. It led to UNESCOs Man and the Biosphere (MAB)Programme. It was a significant step in the process that resulted in the United NationsConference on the Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972). A follow-up of thisconference was the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP).

At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, UNESCO received the responsibility for implementingChapter 35 (Science for sustainable development) and Chapter 36 (Promoting education,public awareness and training) of the Agenda 21 action programme.

The 2000 Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)reaffirmed the international communitys support of development that is trulysustainableand defined respect for natureas a fundamental value.

At the 2002 Johannesburg Summit, UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to Agenda 21and formed several partnerships, including theEducation for Rural People FlagshipInitiative, the Global Higher Education for Sustainability Partnership, and theEducating for Sustainable Living with the Earth Charter initiative.

Ed

ucationforSustainable

De

velopment

UNESCOs efforts will aim to:

catalyse new partnerships with theprivate sector, youth and media groups;

encourage a research agenda onESD, as well as monitoring andevaluation;

serve as forum for bringing togetherkey stakeholders, such asmultinationals, faith-based institutions,youth associations, indigenous people,etc.;

share good ESD practices;

link Member States that have put inplace ESD curricula, policies andresearch with those Member Statesrequesting help.

UNESCOs role and, in fact, the task ofMember States are defined by the fourmajor thrusts of ESD: improving qualitybasic education; reorienting educationalprogrammes; developing publicunderstanding and awareness; andproviding training. The DESD will be asuccess if we manage to take up the

following challenges:

Go beyond environmental educationto reach education for sustainabledevelopment. The concept ofsustainable development has beenclosely related to environmentalprotection. The Decade is not limited toenvironmental education, but also

encompasses social and economicpillars. Developing adequate teachingapproaches are, thus, an immediatechallenge.

Learn from what already exists. Manycountries have carried out ESDprogrammes or activities. Identifyingthese, evaluating the results, anddisseminating information about themwill allow for quicker integration of thisnew vision of education into nationalplans.

Mobilize the media. The mediarepresents a powerful means ofawareness-raising and dissemination.

Making the media an ally fortransmitting quality information tocitizens is a pledge of success.

To Find Out More

The DESD website :

www.unesco.org/education/desd

UNESCO andSustainableDevelopment(Paris,UNESCO, 2005)

The DESD in brief(leaflet, UNESCO, 2005)

The New Courier, May2005 issue

Teaching and Learning

or a Sustainable Futureeducation program:www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/

The Earth Charter:www.earthcharter.org

Establish partnerships and createsynergies among initiatives andprogrammes. No institution, even at aglobal scale, can manage to achievethe goals of the DESD on its own. Onlyunited, can we be sure to build a viableworld for us and for generations tocome.

Contact :

Education for Sustainable DevelopmentSection (ED/PEQ/ESD),esddecade@unesco.org

For further information, contact the Bureau of Public Information, BPIUNESCO, 7 Place de Fontenoy, 75352 PARIS 07 SP, tel. +33 (0)1.45.68.16.81 (16.82) - bpi@unesco.org

http://www.unesco.org/education/desdhttp://www.unesco.org/education/desdhttp://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/mailto:esddecade@unesco.orgmailto:esddecade@unesco.orghttp://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/http://www.unesco.org/education/desdhttp://www.unesco.org/education/desd