The Role of Education in the Pursuit of a Sustainable Future LSF AGM Charles Hopkins UNESCO and UNU Chairs, York University

What is Sustainable Development Global Change (environment) Globalization (economic) Human Development (social/culture) Sustainable Development Plus concepts of: intergenerational responsibility Need verses greed / equity Social justice, etc.

Many Questions Sustaining what? For whom?

Northern Issues Sustainable production and consumption 0.5 trillion in advertising 50% targeted at USA Working with “others” Developing global citizenship Redistribution of wealth and power Improving democracy

The Power of SD Remains Dormant Locked in Isolated Issues Clean Air AIDS Prevention Equity Climate Change Sustainable Development Peace Sustainable Consumption Poverty Eradication Bio-diversity Population Growth

Many Paths to SD Good legislation/governance Economic incentives Overcoming corruption Environmental protection Human rights/security Infrastructure (roads to banking) 40 issues identified in Agenda 21

“Education is a key and vital element in moving sustainability forward…” Report of the UN Sec. General Agenda 21(Rio) Millennium Goals Earth Charter UN Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) WSSD (Johannesburg)

2. Facilitating Development Through Improving Quality Education 100 million children ages 6 to 11 never attend school in the developing countries 90% of school aged are in developing/emerging nations Millions more are “under- educated” in both the South and the North

Northern Problem As Well Hard to serve students suffer Preferred learning style other than reading Poverty related issues Irrelevant curricula Home/family related issues Student/school conflict

The 4 Major Thrusts of ESD 1 Public awareness and understanding 2 Access to quality basic education 3 Reorienting existing education 4 Training programs for all sectors Agenda 21 -92, UNESCO-96, UNCSD -98, JPOI-2002

Reorienting formal ed. includes addressing Values Principles Perspectives Knowledge Skills Buildings Program Practices and Actions What we value and evaluate

UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005 to 2014 UN General Council Resolution Dec 2002 UNESCO is the lead UN Agency Mainly a coordinating role Integrate with other Decades and programs Mainly up to each country / state Organization / institution / private sector etc.

Strengths Model: A Starting Point No single discipline/group/teacher can do it all Every discipline/group/teacher can contribute something Some can take lead roles in reorientation

Reorienting Informal and Non Formal Ed What can you contribute that could help the UN DESD?

www.esdtoolkit.org www.earthcharter.org www.unesco.org/education/tlsf 2 Key Websites www.esdtoolkit.org www.earthcharter.org www.unesco.org/education/tlsf

Regional Centres of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development A contribution by the United Nations University to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

RCE Objectives To help implement the education, public awareness and training components of Agenda 21, and the Millennium Dev. Goals To research and develop ESD To contribute to the success of the UN DESD To assist national sustainability plans

UNU Regional Centre of ESD Expertise Messengers Non Formal Formal Informal Ngo’s Tertiary Media Zoo / etc Secondary Peers Gov’t agencies Elementary Society Corp training Preschool Life Exp. Methodology Engage the esd messengers (current and potential) within a community Work together to identify and address community needs, relevant issues Focus on improving pedagogy Focus on integrating delivery mechanisms

Regional Centre of ESD Expertise Messengers Non Formal Formal Informal Ngo’s Tertiary Media Zoo Secondary Peers Gov’t Elementary Society Corp training Pre school Life Exp. Local Information Sources Regional/National Local Government Private Sector Research (HE, NGO) etc. Methodology 2 Engage the sources of locally relevant sustainabilty information Infuse local issues data, information and programmes Identify emerging issues Collaborate with the messengers

UNU Regional Centre of ESD Expertise Messengers Non Formal Formal Informal Ngo’s Tertiary Media Zoo/etc Secondary Peers Gov Agencies Elementary Society Corp Training Preschool Life Exp. Local Information Sources Regional/National Local Government Private Sector Research (HE, NGO) etc. Outcomes Improved academic outcomes More knowledgeable/supportive citizenry More sustainably oriented production and consumption Perhaps a shift in behaviour as learning is relevant and in scale etc. Process is crucial

Why do we teach what we teach ? To preserve culture _____% To prepare/train for work _____% To care for environment _____% To live a full, meaningful life _____% To contribute to society _____% To be creative and resourceful _____% To live a religious life _____% To live together in peace _____% To be self-sufficient _____% What is the vision for our schools ?