So… What is Education Towards Sustainable Development?
Trying to make some sense in the many complex terminologies that exist in this subject.
Many of the most important concepts for our lives are difficult to explain; try to explain what is democracy or justice, for instance. Often trying to define a complex[1] concept is not as easy as it seems. But this time I think we will manage.
It is my belief that Education Towards Sustainable Development (EDS) is an educational approach based on the values and understanding of Sustainable Development (SD) and conjugated in a series of educational practices.
I consider it an approach because it presents a way of organizing content and educational objectives. The educational practices are means by which you can put that into practice. It is important to remark that each educational institution should discuss how they understand EDS, since as part of the approach things must be adapted to each institution and its own context, to become and remain relevant.
In other words, this approach is part of a new outlook on the World, and the expectation is for our children to behave in a different way than us. The way we found to share this new path with them is Education Towards Sustainable Development. It includes and integrates a series of values, skills and knowledge that Educators can use, and through these practices they can guide Students in this new way.
As an educational approach, the Student is in the center. He is not just receiving but also giving. He learns about their resources and capabilities. He embraces his challenges and does his best with what he has, taking into account what surrounds him - environment and society.
Educators do not agree whether to consider ESD as a paradigm or not. I do not believe ESD is a paradigm. I see ESD as an approach to be included in every educational system, as a way for students to understand reality and their surroundings and an educational approach to be implemented by Educators.
An example of an ESD School is Afek School in Rosh Haayin. Click here to see an article about them.
Click on the map and see videos of the different projects at the School
Education Towards Sustainable Development is formed by three parts: Education, the word “Towards” and Sustainable Development.
Education in this case is the means; it is a tool in order to achieve a Sustainable World. Instruction, teaching and education are - from my perspective - the ways in which we share knowledge and skill, with the objective to get to a harmonious behavior in our relations with the rest of society, the environment and the economy.
The use of “Towards” is not random. I could use “About” or even “For”. The use of “About” would mean that I am teaching about something, and would imply theoretical learning. The word “For” may be considered as instruction, but also defines an objective or purpose. “For” would be my second choice. I prefer “Towards” and the reason is simple – it is about the way, it is about an ongoing process to get to a sustainable reality.
Sustainable Development refers to a specific path of development, a development that contemplates 3+1 variables: Social, Economic, and Environmental in a specific Cultural framework.[2] This development should “…meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, p 43).
In conclusion, ESD is our way as educators to guide future generations to not make the same mistakes we and our predecessors have made, and to change human behavior. This integrative approach is an invitation to rethink our paths and to experience a different type of education.
[2] It is complex not because is difficult but because integrates different concepts.