Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): what does it really mean? A look at the essentials by Marilyn Mehlmann at Global Action plan.

1. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
A perspective on Education for
Sustainable Development
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

2. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development: 2005–2014
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

3. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
First: what is
’Sustainable
Development’?
Many attempts to define –
Live well without jeopardizing future generations
Live within planetary boundaries
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

4. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
First: what is
’Sustainable
Development’?
Many attempts to define –
Live well without jeopardizing future generations
Live within planetary boundaries
Transform human civilization so that it will have a future
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

5. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
The ESD Decade is
intended to enable
us to do that through
all aspects of learning:
•
•
•
•
•
Learning to know
Learning to do
Learning to live together
Learning to be
Learning to transform oneself and society
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

6. Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

7. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
1. ESD is FOR, not ABOUT
sustainable development.
That means:
Not knowledge transfer but
skills transfer. Skills to take action
for sustainable development.
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

8. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
The concept of skills transfer for
sustainable development
implies ESD content:
• Clarify the direction of sustainable development
• Make tools available
• Deepen the collective learning process
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

9. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
2. ESD goes beyond goals.
It’s a journey, not a
destination.
Imagine lessons that transcend goals,
stimulate creativity, innovation and risk-taking
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

10. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
Lessons that transcend goals,
stimulate creativity and innovation
enable students to
•
•
•
Create images of desired futures
Identify action opportunities
Participate in ongoing dialogue, feedback
and assessment
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

11. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
In other words:
Lessons that transcend goals,
stimulate creativity and innovation
empower students to
•
•
•
Understand their own contribution
Make conscious lifestyle choices
Support each other
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

12. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
3. ESD respects none of
our established boundaries.
That means it is:
•
•
•
•
Transdisciplinary
Transsectoral
Supportive of local solutions from a global perspective
Inclusive and integrative
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

13. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
Trans-boundary is not easy
to integrate in curriculum.
Mainstreaming or special topic?
• Mainstreaming is good for Education about SD
• E for SD makes unusual demands on teachers
• Not all teachers are ready for a pedagogy of
empowerment
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

14. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
4. So what IS Education
for Sustainable
Development for?
The UN identifies 3 pillars of sustainability:
• Social
• Environmental
• Economic
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

15. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
Specific goals for the Decade
emphasize the social dimension
Biodiversity
Climate change
Cultural diversity
Indigenous knowledge
Disaster risk reduction
Poverty reduction
Global Action Plan International
Gender equality
Health promotion
Sustainable lifestyles
Peace and human security
Water
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

16. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
Missing?
The economic pillar
This may be the most important!
Global events highlight unsustainability
of current economic systems.
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

17. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
A key to E for SD:
Empowerment
plus
critical thinking!
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

18. Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

19. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
ESD
1. Is FOR, not ABOUT
2. Goes beyond goals
3. Respects no
boundaries
4. Rests on 3 pillars
5. Is empowerment plus
critical thinking
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

20. BLIND MEN & ELEPHANTS
ESD
1. Is FOR, not ABOUT
2. Goes beyond goals
3. Respects no
boundaries
4. Rests on 3 pillars
5. Is empowerment plus
criticial thinking
Global Action Plan International
6. …and is
transformative
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann

21. Education for Sustainable
Development
holds the promise of a transformed
civilization for future generations.
Global Action Plan International
© 2011 Marilyn Mehlmann