UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

06/28/2024 | News release | Archived content

Strengthening our commitment to education for sustainable development

Education for sustainable development (ESD) gives learners of all ages the knowledge, skills, values and agency to address interconnected global challenges including climate change, loss of biodiversity, unsustainable use of resources, and inequality. It empowers learners of all ages to make informed decisions and take individual and collective action to change society and care for the planet. ESD is a lifelong learning process and an integral part of quality education. It enhances the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural dimensions of learning and encompasses learning content and outcomes, pedagogy and the learning environment itself.

One of the 5 regional commissions of the United Nations, UNECE, has a strategy for Education for Sustainable Development that aims to equip people with the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development. The overall goal is to enhance competence and confidence while simultaneously increasing opportunities for leading healthy and productive lifestyles in harmony with nature and with concern for social values, gender equity and cultural diversity.

Within the framework of a well-consolidated cooperation started in 2020, on the occasion of its 19th meeting held on 30-31 May 2024, the UNECE Steering Committee on ESD welcomed on board Magdalena Landry, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe. At the event, government officials, education authorities, scientists, and UNESCO networks gathered in Geneva to advance sustainable education. Landry highlighted the achievements and ongoing initiatives under the Greening Education Partnership (GEP). Launched in 2022, GEP aims to equip younger generations with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental challenges. It has garnered participation from 86 UNESCO Member States and over 1,200 organisations, including 24 UNECE Member States.

Community-based approaches

To develop and expand educational activities focused on sustainability issues, all sectors need to be involved. In particular, the UNESCO Regional Bureau promotes ESD through interdisciplinary programmes, integrating climate change, biodiversity, water, and ocean literacy. Pilot projects in climate education supported in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Romania) and the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve (Republic of Moldova) exemplify this approach, engaging local communities in hands-on activities such as tree planting and wildlife observation. These initiatives promote community-based education and foster a deeper understanding of local environmental challenges.

In this context, Romania's implementation of the GEP aligns with its National Strategy on Education for the Environment and Climate Change. A notable example is the 'Green Week' programme, which integrates practical fieldwork in biosphere reserves and national parks into the school curriculum. It illustrates the GEP's pillars: Greening schools, Greening curriculum, Greening teacher training and education systems' capacities, and Greening communities.

UNESCO designated sites can also serve as living laboratories for sustainable development and learning places for environmental education. On this line, the UNESCO Regional Bureau has been advancing sustainable development through the 3-year project "Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO's programmes and sites", which focuses on research and education in selected UNESCO sites. Over 1,300 students already benefited through educational activities, workshops, and the development of environmental educational packages. The project's overarching objective is to link educational programmes with practical environmental stewardship, thereby fostering a hands-on approach to learning about sustainability.

The Aquifer Partnership - Replanting activities at Wallands Primary School

Our regional activities have demonstrated the power of education in addressing local environmental issues. The pilot projects in Romania and the Republic of Moldova serve as models for how we can integrate ESD into our communities effectively.

Magdalena Landry, Director, UNESCO Regional Bureau

The path forward

Among the highlighted outcomes during the Steering Committee was the ESD-Net 2030 Global Meeting (Tokyo, 2023). Member States and international partners reinforced commitments and fostered collaboration on projects such as learning assessments for ESD and whole-institution approaches. UNESCO's contribution to the "UNECE Forum on ESD - Empowering Youth for Sustainable Futures: Entrepreneurship Education and Youth Engagement" was also addressed.

Looking ahead, ESD for 2030 will focus on innovation through global action research, capacity building, and comprehensive monitoring of ESD initiatives. These efforts foster engagement among governments, civil society, and educational institutions.

The UNECE Steering Committee meeting underscored the importance of a holistic and inclusive approach to sustainable education. UNESCO is firmly committed to these endeavours. As we advance, collective efforts will be crucial in empowering future generations with the knowledge and skills they need to lead climate action and build a sustainable future.

Freepik - Collaboration for sustainable development