Education for Sustainable Development

Education plays a key role in the achievement of sustainable development. The notion of education for sustainable development (ESD) has been elaborated and promoted by the UN in order to enhance the contribution of education in achievement of sustainable development. 

Nowadays, there is growing recognition of education for sustainable development (ESD) as a key enabler for sustainable development. Education for sustainable development (ESD) puts emphasis on reorientation of education towards sustainable development. 

Education for sustainable development (ESD) should be integrated and incorporated in the formal education systems, and not less importantly, in non-formal and informal education systems. 
The UN has adopted various significant documents in order to promote the cause of education for sustainable development (ESD).
 

UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on 23 March, 2005 adopted „UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development“ (CEP/AC.13/2005/3/Rev.1). The Strategy aims „to encourage UNECE member States to develop and incorporate ESD into their formal education systems, in all relevant subjects, and in non-formal and informal education. This will equip people with knowledge and skills in sustainable development, making them more competent and confident and increasing their opportunities for acting for a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature  . . . (paragraph 6.)“. 

According to the Strategy, „ESD is a lifelong process from early childhood to higher and adult education and goes beyond formal education (paragraph 19).“ The Strategy stresses that „ESD could also contribute to developing rural and urban areas by increasing access to education and improving its quality. This would be particularly beneficial to people living in rural areas  (paragraph 22).“ 

The Strategy clearly indicates that „ESD requires multi-stakeholder cooperation and partnership. The main actors include governments and local authorities, the education and scientific sectors, the health sector, the private sector, industry, transport and agriculture, trade and labour unions, the mass media, non-governmental organizations, various communities, indigenous peoples and international organizations (paragraph 26)“. The Strategy states that „to be effective ESD should: (a) be addressed in two ways: (i) through the integration of ESD themes across all relevant subjects, programmes and courses; and (ii) through the provision of specific subject programmes and courses (paragraph 33);“
 

Goal 4 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Goal 4 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), relates to quality education and contains provision on education for sustainable development (ESD). 

More precisely, according to Goal 4. „Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all“, the following obligation is undertaken: „By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development (Goal 4, target 7).“ 

According to the UN, „there is growing international recognition of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as an integral element of quality education.“ (Description, Education, Sustainable Development, UN, available at:  https://sdgs.un.org/topics/education)
 

Education for Sustainable Development in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 20 December, 2017 adopted resolution „Education for Sustainable Development in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development“ (A/RES/72/222).

According to the resolution, education for sustainable development (ESD) is an important instrument for the achievement of sustainable development and is a key enabler of all SDGs. More specifically, in the resolution the General Assembly „reaffirms education for sustainable development as a vital means of implementation for sustainable development,  . .  and as an integral element of the Sustainable Development Goal on quality education and a key enabler of all the other Sustainable Development Goals, and welcomes the increased international recognition of education for sustainable development in quality education and lifelong learning“ (paragraph 2).


The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 20 December, 2002 adopted resolution “United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development“ (A/RES/57/254). According to the resolution, the ten-year period of 2005-2014 was proclaimed by the UN as Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. The resolution designated the UNESCO as the lead agency for the promotion of the Decade. 

The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) reaffirmed the key role of education in determining values that are aimed at sustainable development. The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) aimed to integrate the values and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning. The final report of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, “Shaping the Future We Want“, was adopted at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, held in November 2014, Nagoya, Japan.