UNESCO. General Conference; 36th; 36 C/5: volume 1: Draft ...

Main line of action 3: Supporting education system responses to
contemporary challenges for sustainable development and a culture
of peace and non-violence
01046 Quality education aims to foster socially-responsible, peaceful and democratic attitudes among
children, young people and adults. Globalization and fast changing technological progress have
posed new challenges for societies and education systems. Rapid evolution is requiring individual and
communities to adapt to new social, economic, cultural, environmental and technological contexts;
yet, in many cases, little empirical evidence is available to guide Member States in managing these
change processes. Furthermore, formal and non-formal education are recognized as effective means
of promoting social transformation. The challenge then, is dual: to promote more equitable and
sustainable societies through education; and to respond adequately to and prepare for uncertainties
and challenges that threaten the resilience and the quality of the delivery of education systems.
01047 Under Main line of action 3, UNESCO will therefore support its Member States to prepare comprehensive
sector responses to complex contemporary challenges such as climate change and HIV & AIDS. In
this regard, particular emphasis will be paid to education for sustainable development as well as for
universally-shared values, citizenship, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, dialogue,
reconciliation and peace. Major Programme I will apply an intersectoral approach to actions in this
field, in particular by building on the work of the Organization conducted during the International
Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2010) and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and
Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).
Education for sustainable development, in particular
climate change education
01048 Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs requires collective action. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) equips individuals
and communities with the principles, values and practices to build a more secure and peaceful future.
It concerns all levels, settings and types of education, and must therefore be integrated throughout
the education system. As lead agency for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
(DESD, 2005-2014) and Task Manager for Chapter 36 of Agenda 21, UNESCO will continue to guide
the global process to reorient education in support of sustainable development and strengthen Member
States’ capacities to integrate its principles into their education policies and programmes, also in the
context of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). Furthermore, recognizing
that the education sector offers an untapped opportunity to combat climate change, it will use this latter
as an entry point for promoting the concept of sustainable development through education.
01049 In 2012-2013, UNESCO’s work in this area will be focused around the following components:
(a)
Advocacy for and monitoring of the DESD. In line with the Strategy for the Second Half of
the DESD, this will include enhancing synergies with a number of education and development
initiatives as well as strengthening partnerships; developing and strengthening capacities for
ESD; building, sharing and applying ESD-related knowledge; and advocating for ESD as well as
increasing awareness and understanding of sustainability. In particular, through intersectoral
and inter-agency work, emphasis will be place on enhancing communication, education and
public awareness actions for biodiversity; as well as promoting ESD through North-South-South
41 36 C/5 – Major Programme I