Education for Sustainability
Sustainability education (ES), Education for Sustainability (EfS), and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) are interchangeable terms describing the practice of teaching for sustainability. ESD is the term most used internationally level and by the United Nations [EfS is the term most used in Australia].
The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) 2005 to 2014 aims at changing the approach to education so that it integrates the principles, values and practices of sustainable development.
Recently 40 Southern Cross University staff and students participated in a 'Sustainability Game Show and World Cafe' as part of the Festival of Teaching 2010. We asked the question "Are we half way there yet?" with regards to 2010 being half way through the UN decade. While acknowledging that it is very difficult to assess, the group agreed that we still have a long way to go at SCU. The group was asked "What does Sustainability mean to you?" at the start and end of the session.
Powerpoint slides including questions and answers from the Sustainability Game Show and World Cafe.
During the World Cafe session the staff and students were asked about the current status of Education for Sustainability at SCU, then what we can do to improve our status. The outcomes of the session can be found here:
For further information:
UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
Australian Research Institute for Environment and Sustainability
Updated: 20 December 2011