Tomorrow today; 2010 - unesdoc - Unesco

Image: Japanese Nat. Comm. for UNESCOInternational Forum on ESD Dialogue 2008problem-based learning and expand horizons from the local to theglobal level.International action to promote ESDThe Government of Japan has contributed to the development ofESD around the world through its promotion, in collaboration withUNESCO, of the development and expansion of frameworks for thespread of grassroots ESD, including UNESCO’s Associated SchoolsProject Network and RCEs, by contributing funds to UNESCO andthe United Nations University.MEXT contributes funds-in-trust to UNESCO to promote ESDand is engaged in international exchanges and cooperation projects,through which both Japan and UNESCO address challenges such asthe development of sustainable societies and the human resourcesof the future, to further promote ESD.Activities are also beginning at the grassroots level in the privatesector. In Asia, such action includes:• The collection and sharing of information on examples of practicefor the Asia Good ESD Practice Research Project (AGEPP)• Exchanges between communities engaging in ESD• The provision of support for ESD strategy, planning,preparation and implementation in collaboration withUNESCO and governments and NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region by the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre forUNESCO (ACCU).Example of ESD practiceActivities of Regional Centres of Expertise on Education forSustainable DevelopmentThe United Nations University introduced the concept ofRegional Centres of Expertise on Education for SustainableDevelopment (RCEs) in 2004. RCEs comprise a networkof existing formal and informal educational institutionsfor promoting the spread of ESD in communities andregions. These networks consist of diverse stakeholders invarious sectors and provide forums for discussion, cooperationand information sharing to promote ESD. At thesame time, they serve as knowledge bases for the accumulationof information and experience to support ESDactivities. Since the establishment of the first seven RCEs[ 64 ]