UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development began on January 1, 2005 and aims to promote education as a basis for a more sustainable society and to integrate sustainable development into education at all levels and all areas of life including communities, the workplace and society in general. More details can be found on UNESCO's website.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment announced in his speech to Parliament on June 13 2007 that:
'Cultural change and behavioural change are critical - education is the key to achieving them. We will drive forward in our schools, colleges and universities the Action Plan for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.'
In August 2006, the Scottish Executive published an Action Plan - Learning for our Future - setting out the first wave of actions to be taken in Scotland over the first five year period in support of the UN Decade.
Event to celebrate Scotland's contribution to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
In January 2009 the Scottish Government, in partnership with CIFAL Findhorn, organised a conference to celebrate Scotland's contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD). As we approach the half way point of the Decade, Scotland wanted to celebrate the excellent progress being made across all sectors on Education for Sustainable Development - and looking forward to the next five years
"Scotland is making an impressive contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development"
That was the message from speakers at a seminar hosted by the Scottish Government and CIFAL Findhorn at The Royal Society of Edinburgh on January 21, 2009. The one day event in Edinburgh attracted a wide cross section of participants from Scotland's major educational institutions - a total of 70 delegates including representation from schools, colleges, universities and community learning networks.
The conference explored Scotland's contribution to the Decade so far, recognising achievements from across the education sectors. However it wasn't all focused on looking back - the event also explored what Scotland can achieve in the remaining five years of the Decade.
Minister for Schools and Skills, Maureen Watt, MSP explained that Scotland is reaching an important milestone in the Decade - the half way point. She commented that 'Educational institutions - like all business and organisations - have a role to play in delivering on sustainability and climate change'. Ms Watt announced that over 35 of Scotland's universities and colleges have signed up to the Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment for Scotland. The Minister acknowledged the valuable contributions being made in other areas, such as sustainable building design, research and embedding sustainable development into course content
But it's not just Universities and Colleges where excellent practice is happening - much is taking place in Scotland's schools too. We are integrating the principles, values and practices of sustainable development through Curriculum for Excellence - promoting a fresh culture across the whole of Scottish Education, This programme aims to help young people develop into outward looking and confident citizens who care about themselves and their nation and have a modern enterprising world view. In addition to this there is the Eco Schools Programme. With over 3,000 schools and pre-school centres registered with the Eco Schools Programme, Scotland is one of the best performing countries in terms of eco schools.
The Minister also highlighted the ongoing work on sustainable development education across community learning networks. Ms Watt explained that 'learning and action in our communities can complement - and sometimes provide the inspiration for - what happens in schools and colleges'. This is one important area to focus on in the next action plan for Scotland.
Mark Richmond, Director of UN Priorities in Education, UNESCO addressed the conference and shared UNESCO's thoughts on future planning for the remainder of the Decade. 'As we reach the middle of the decade and prepare for the 2009 World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development we see worldwide signs of a "middle of decade boost", with countries taking stock of their activities and defining the major pointers for the next 5 years and beyond'. He acknowledged "I am pleased to see that Scotland is taking a lead in ESD".
To view the presentations and speeches from the January 2009 UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development conference please follow the link below:
http://www.cifalfindhorn.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=51&PHPSESSID=dfb96d0c915dff0f9b43cf8d6efeef31
2009 UNESCO Conference - Bonn
The 2009 world conference on Education for Sustainable Development took place in Spring in Bonn, Germany. The Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown, represented the UK at this event. For more information about the Bonn conference, please follow the link below:
http://www.esd-world-conference-2009.org/
UN Decade Action Plan Steering Group
The Scottish Government has asked the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland to establish and manage a short-life working group representing a broad spectrum of interests in education for sustainable development to advise on the implementation of the Action Plan and development of the next Action Plan. Meeting papers and supporting documentation.
Footprint celebration at the Scottish Parliament
Almost 100 people from across Scotland gathered at the Scottish Parliament on December 3, 2008 to celebrate the achievements being made in reducing Scotland's footprint by government, local authorities, organisations, schools and individuals. In his keynote speech Cabinet Secretary for Sustainable Growth John Swinney MSP recognised the importance of footprinting delivering progress towards national objectives and commended the Local Footprint Project for its part in helping local authorities and schools.