Workable Ideas for Implementing “Education for Sustainable Development”

Abstract

The concept of sustainable development was described by the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report as “Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The commission also notified that sustainable development has four dimensions: social, cultural, economic and environmental, the commission further stressed that these four dimensions needs to be meticulously balanced in the pursuit of an improved quality of life. With the passage of time the concept of education for sustainable development has been integrated into many global frameworks and conventions related to key areas of sustainable development.

The United Nation’s “Decade in Education for Sustainable Development (DESD, 2005 to 2014)” was a global movement it was an endeavor that aims to reorient education policy, practice and investment to address sustainability. As the lead agency for the Decade, UNESCO is responsible for ensuring that appropriate mechanisms are in place optimize the implementation of the Decade. The principal aim of it was not only to transform education policies, investment and practice but also transform education keeping in view current global challenges and demands. It is believed that if this educational movement succeeds it could change not only education systems in a positive manner but also improve the quality of life for many people across the globe. Hence they put highest emphasis on achieving education for all (EFA) and recommended member nations to implement the kind of education system which would encourage equity, inclusion, quality learning, flexibility and innovation in their educational institutions in order to accomplish social cohesion and social justice through lifelong learning by improving educational systems with a view to increase both the quality and the relevance of education in this fast changing world.

In this scenario the author of this research paper feels that education systems need to be transformed constructively, various curriculums be redesigned in order to meet the challenges of highly uncertain future as well as to conform to norms of the Education for Sustainable Development.

Prof. Daniella Tilbury in her expert review on DESD pointed out that ESD  refers  to learning to ask critical questions, learning to clarify one’s own values, learning to envision more positive and sustainable futures , learning to think systemically, learning to respond through applied and learning to explore the dialectic between tradition and innovation.

The following headings have been used to express workable ideas which can work as effective tools to achieve “Education for Sustainable Development” 1. Acquisition of knowledge and its application, 2. Holistic approach to Science and Arts Streams 3. Skill Acquisition and Mind Expansion 4. Inculcation of Values in Personal and Community Life 5. Pursuit of Excellence and 6. Enlightened Nationalism.