The conceptual framework of Education for Sustainable Development: Evolution and Development up to Athens, 2005

1. Conference for the Official Launching of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean Region, Athens, 26-27 November 2005 The conceptual framework of Education for Sustainable Development: Evolution and Development up to Athens, 2005 Prof. Michael Scoullos MIO-ECSDE Chairman

2. Environmental Education (EE) Environment Earth “Spaceship” (limits to growth) Society, Economy, institutions, etc.

3. The first “steps” of EE • Limits to growth Report => UN Conference on the Human Environment (1972), Belgrade (1975) and Tbilisi (1977) : Environmental Education (EE) had as main scope to raise awareness and protect the environment and natural resources as prerequisites for the economic development. The latter was considered as having inherent “limits” imposed by scarcity of natural resources and population trends. The implementation of EE was suggested as “in”, “about” and “for” the Environment. • However, due mainly to political, ideological and practical obstacles in many countries EE was treated as a “marginal” or “luxury” issue or was reduced to cover only few aspects such as “outdoors” or “nature” education.

4. During the 80’s • “Unbalanced” evolution of EE in the various countries. • Ideological and other constrains in implementation • Moscow Congress on EE & Training(1987): introduction of the gender issue, health, poverty & peace. • Endeavours to effectively tackle the environmental problems based on reliable scientific research. • The precautionary principle. • 80’s and 90’s: Introduction of a series of “targeted” forms of education i.e. Education for Development, Global Education, Education for Peace and Human Rights, Education for Women, Education for Citizenship.

5. SustainableDevelopment Environment Ecology Society Economy The Rio UN Conference on Environment and Development 1992

6. SustainableDevelopment Environment Ecology Society Economy EE only to support environmental protection or having a broader role? EE to where??

7. Expansion of EE => Education SustainableDevelopment Environment Ecology Economy Society The Thessaloniki International Conference (1997) Education for Environment & Sustainability (EfES)

8. Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development -WSSD, (2002) Initiatives launched in the light of WSSD demanding a stronger link between education and sustainable development: among them ERA 21 Campaign (Education Reaffirmation for the 21st Century) MEdIES

9. Components of Sustainable Development ECONOMY SOCIETY ENVIRONMENT Sustainable Developmentand Education for Sustainable Development

10. Environment Economy Society Education The evolution after WSSD (2002):Sustainable Development as a pyramid

11. Environment Economy Society Governance …considering that Education is one of the basic elements of the overall Governance needed..

12. Governance Economy Society Environment …turning the previous figure…

13. Institutions Education Technology Governance The components of Governance

14. Economy Society Environment Governance Education Technology Institutions Combining the figures of Governance and Sustainable Development

15. The double pyramid visualizing the concept of sustainable development Responsible Economy Social Cohesion & Welfare Environmental Protection C U L T U R E Governance Governance Education for Sustainable Development EffectiveInstitutions Application of appropriate technology

16. Education for Sustainable Development Economy Society Environment Technology Governance Culture

17. ESD Characteristics & Principles • By nature, an evolving and dynamic concept seeking to balance human and economic welfare for the present and future generations with cultural values and respect for the environment and the earth’s natural resources. • - Aims to empower all people of all ages to develop the appropriate knowledge and skills; to adopt attitudes and valuesand shape behaviours towards sustainable development in order to assume responsibilities for creating a sustainable future.

18. ESD Characteristics & Principles • A cross-cutting field, embracing Environmental Education, Education for Development, Global Education, Education for Peace and Human Rights, etc. • KeyThemes : poverty, citizenship, peace, democracy, security, human rights, social and economic development, health, gender equity, cultural diversity, protection of the environment and natural resources, sustainable production and consumption patterns.

19. ESD Characteristics & Principles ESDCharacteristics: Interdisciplinary and holistic approach Learners centred Values – driven Promoting critical thinking & problem-solving Employing a variety of educational methods Promoting participatory decision-making Forward looking promoting medium and long-term planning Locally relevant

20. ESD Characteristics & Principles • Fostering respect for & understanding of different cultures. • Taking into account diverse local, national and regional circumstances as well as the global context, seeking abalance between global and local interests. • Providing the opportunity for education toovercome its isolation vis-à-vis society: involving civil society, local community and authorities, underlining the role of educators for facilitating such a process. • ESD requires multi-stakeholder cooperation and partnership (authorities, education and science communities, the private sector, NGO, local community, international organisations, etc.)

21. Challenges related to ESD To allow learners to overcome the tensions and find balance between: • global and local • universal and individual • tradition and modernity • the need for competition and equality of opportunity • the extraordinary expression of knowledge and human beings capacity to assimilate • the spiritual and the material

22. ESD is viewing the world with respect of natural laws, with understanding of diversity and with affection and determination to do whatever possible to secure a better future for people, the environment and the natural resources upon they live.