United Nations declared 2005 – 2014 as the decade for Education for
Sustainable Development. Now we all know that for the all-round development of
a person or even a nation, education is extremely important. But how does
education help in sustainable development? EXIN Social is here to answer this
query.
Education for Sustainable Development means adopting a more holistic
approach to education. This allows every child to acquire the knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future.
Education can build lasting change – that is, sustainable change,
because it is owned by the learner and reaches hearts and minds. Yet in
the sustainable development debate, the key role of education in realizing
sustainable development is often ignored, downplayed and underestimated – or
viewed in isolation from the other instruments of change. Education is rarely
regarded as a major factor in making the world more sustainable, and its
potential is overlooked.
Education in sustainable development incorporates key environmental
challenges like climate change into core subjects like math, science and art,
and involves modifying the teaching-learning process to a more all-encompassing
approach. Students are thus able to relate what they learn in the classroom to
their real life actions, and will be in a better position to take the lead in
changing behaviors and adopting sustainable lifestyles.
Good quality education is an essential tool for achieving a more
sustainable world. This was emphasized at the UN World Summit in
Johannesburg in 2002 where the reorientation of current education systems was
outlined as key to sustainable development. Education for Sustainable
Development (ESD) promotes the development of the knowledge, skills,
understanding, values and actions which are required to create a sustainable
world, which ensures environmental protection and conservation, promotes social
equality and social equity and encourages economic sustainability.
Equality is treating everyone the same while equity is giving everyone
what they need to be successful.
It should be noted that families and communities can play a vital role
in linking education with sustaining development. Teaching children to reduce
waste, to recycle regularly and to opt for public transport are some of
the many lessons that will broaden the contribution of education in sustainable
development and much more.
