This document outlines a framework for advancing education for sustainable development (ESD) after 2015. It discusses how ESD can help update educational purposes and outcomes, strengthen curriculum, and guide students to solve future sustainability issues. The document also proposes priority action areas for ESD, including advancing policy, transforming learning environments, building educator capacity, empowering youth, and accelerating local solutions. It recommends establishing a global coordination mechanism to oversee ESD implementation through regional forums, UN agency coordination, and periodic reporting.

1. The Post 2015 ESD Framework for
action: higher education’s commitment to
the future
Charles Hopkins UNESCO Chair
York University, Toronto, Canada

2. Higher Education and the SDGs
Approximately 4% attend higher education
However,
They become 80% of decision makers and
shapers

4. Education & Research
Curriculum reorientation
Co-Curricular Education & Student Organizing
Events
Research
Campus Operations
Climate
Energy
Waste
Planning, Administration & Engagement
Assessments & Ratings
Coordination & Planning
Diversity & Inclusion
Funding and Green endowment Investments

5. ESD and Quality (PISA)
ESD as a purpose of education
PISA as a limited indicator of
performance

6. Researching ESD and Quality Ed
1/ How can ESD update and improve educational purposes/outcomes?
2/ How can ESD help to improve and enrich curriculum development?
3/ How can ESD guide students to have the knowledge, skills and values to
care for and solve their future sustainable development issues?
4/ How can ESD help strengthen the partnerships between schools and
other stakeholders, including the surrounding community?
5/ How can ESD promote innovation in pedagogical frameworks?

7. Manitoba Ed Goal (Canada)
“To ensure education in Manitoba
supports students experiencing and
learning about what it means to live
in a sustainable manner.”

9. ESD and Indigenous/Marginalized Youth
• 17 research sites in 15 countries
• Infusion of current and future sustainability
issues
• Altering pedagogy to address indigenous and
other “ways of knowing”

10. 8-way Aboriginal Learning

12. Conference objectives
1. Celebrating a Decade of Action
“What have we achieved, what are the lessons learnt?”
2. Reorienting Education to Build a Better Future for All
“How does ESD reinforce quality education?”
3. Accelerating Action for Sustainable Development
“How are sustainability challenges addressed through ESD?”
4. Setting the Agenda for ESD beyond 2014
“What are the strategies for our common future?”

13. Priority action areas
Advancing policy
Transforming learning and training environments
Building capacity of educators and trainers
Empowering and mobilizing youth
Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level
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14. Global coordination mechanism to be put in place, which may comprise:
A regular forum for „Lead Partners‟ and
other interested stakeholders
A coordination mechanism for UN agencies
Support to national focal points
A periodic global ESD report
A clearinghouse of good practices from the
implementation of the Programme
Implementation of the Programme

15. To successfully launch the Programme, identify ‘Lead Partners’ in
each of the 5 priority action areas responsible for
Implementation of the Programme
 Convening and advocacy
 Executing/implementing concrete
projects
 Reporting
 Mobilizing resources
Secretariat by UNESCO (TBC)

16. Contact Information
Charles Hopkins
chopkins@edu.yorku.ca