The Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, as a member of the network of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO, recently participated in the ESD for 2030 Global Network, a forum dedicated to the promotion of education for sustainable development (ESD). During the international event, a number of concrete activities in the field of ESD were presented and promoted, with a particular focus on the five priority areas of action, namely: promoting public policies, transforming educational environments, developing educators, involving young people and accelerating action at the local level.
Noted speakers from the field of education presented novel approaches to integrating ESD principles into all levels of education. They underscored the necessity of equipping future generations with skills and competencies that facilitate a sustainable future. Keynote speakers included Tricia Seow, co-chair of the Sustainability Learning Lab in Singapore, who showcased educational programs that bolster sustainability in the school environment.
Additionally, Rachel Parker, Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research, presented novel approaches to fostering educational advancement. Madina Tynybayeva, President of the National Academy of Education of Kazakhstan, moreover, elucidated the pivotal elements of ESD-based pedagogical programmes, namely an integrated curriculum, competency-based learning and active engagement.
A key topic of discussion was the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders, including education institutions, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and local communities. It was emphasised that ESD must extend beyond the classroom, engaging citizens in local activities that empower them to take sustainable action. There was a consensus on the value of ongoing dialogue between stakeholders to develop practical and effective solutions that support sustainable development at global and local levels.
At the event, Prof. Dr. Daniel Fischer, from the Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany, and UNESCO Chair in Higher Education for Sustainable Development, presided over a debate on the future of sustainable education. Fischer reiterated the importance of a coordinated approach between all stakeholders to support the effective implementation of ESD.
The next UNESCO event will take place on Thursday 5 December 2024.
The ESD Network facilitates collaboration between education authorities, young people, researchers and practitioners, structured around four key pillars: promising practices and knowledge exchange, global advocacy and public policy, partnerships and collaboration, and monitoring and evaluation. This network provides a global framework for promoting sustainable education, a fundamental pillar for the future of our planet and our societies.
The Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania persists in its endeavours to provide active support for initiatives that promote education and sustainable development. This is achieved through the implementation of projects that seek to transform learning environments and empower younger generations to become active agents of change.
