Tomorrow today; 2010 - unesdoc - Unesco

UNESCO General Conference 2009Since 2007, the Regional Centre of Expertise on ESD in the Skåneregion (RCE Skåne) has been part of the international network forpromoting sustainable development that was set up on the basis of ideasfrom the UN University in Tokyo. Discussions are currently under wayin other parts of Sweden on the establishment of new RCEs.The Baltic University Programme is an international networkbringing together 225 universities in the Baltic Sea region in aneducational partnership based on sustainable development. CEMUS,the Student Centre for Environment and Development Studies, is aunique institution at Uppsala University that also bases its activitieson sustainable development but which is largely run by students.The Graduate School in Education and Sustainable Developmentis the result of a research partnership between eight Swedishuniversities working in this field, the aim being to establish aresearch environment of international importance. Networkspromoting ESD have also been set up among teachers, teachertrainers and researchers.The Life-Link Friendship School, based in Sweden, is an internationalpartnership uniting schools from different parts of the world,all of which seek to encourage ESD. Its project focusing on nineArab countries was chosen by UNESCO as an example of good practiceat the organization’s 2009 conference in Bonn.For the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO, the ESDissue is a priority. Via a well-established network of contacts withSwedish agencies and NGOs, this body has exploited opportunitiesfor promoting ESD throughout the DESD. It has also stressed theimportance of ESD both when engaging in international cooperationand at UNESCO’s general conferences, including the Bonn meetingin 2009, at which Sweden was well represented.Image: Swedish National Commission for UNESCOThe UN General Assembly’s decision to proclaima special decade for ESD has always received strongSwedish support. It has meant that the importance ofenvironmental education and ESD has been brought tothe fore to an unparalleled extent, both in Sweden andinternationally.Sweden’s experience of ESD promotion is doubtlesssimilar to that of other countries around the world.Strong executive support and encouragement is essential,from various political levels and from far-sighted politiciansand officials in the education sector. At the sametime, however, this must be met by committed, responsibleteachers, students and parents who are prepared toacts as a driving force in preschools, schools, universitiesand the business sector. Sweden, which has the potentialto promote ESD successfully, must strive still morevigorously to ensure that our entire education systemis informed by the sustainable development perspective.Together, regardless of our place in the education system,we must constantly keep the future of our children andgrandchildren in mind.There are six ESD proposals that should be implementedbased on Sweden’s experience of ESD promotionwork during the period 2000-2010:1. Ministers of Education, and their Ministries, shoulddevelop action plans on ESD, giving governmentagencies clear roles and responsibilities. Allrelevant legislation and regulation must reflect theimportance of ESD2. Members of Parliament should raise the importanceof ESD with their government3. Politicians in local and regional government,especially those responsible for school issues,need to be made aware that ESD is an importantdimension of quality4. National government bodies and agencies forinternational aid and cooperation, in theirnegotiations with the countries receiving supportin the education area, require that educationalactivities be informed by the perspective ofsustainable development5. Conferences dealing with any aspect of sustainabledevelopment should always discuss the importanceof the role of education6. University management needs to adopt a policyfor ESD work at institutions, but also take partin discussions and debates with teachers andresearchers on how such a policy might inform theinstitution’s entire range of activities.The DESD represents a golden opportunity for everyone(committed teachers at all levels, school and universityheads, students, education ministers and other educationpoliticians throughout the world) to take thesematters seriously, and to work with others to changeall levels of education systems, so that when studentshave completed their training they will truly possess theability and will to work actively for sustainable developmentin today’s society.[ 94 ]