Education for Sustainability

UNSW and NSW State Initiatives

Key principles of EfS

Holistic approach to sustainability

Values based

Context specific (cultural and social

relevance)

Pedagogical and epistemological approach

Collaborative and participative framework

Critical thinking and capacity building for

change

EfS NSW State Initiatives

Learning for Sustainability

(NSW EE Action Plan)

Sustainable Schools

Program

UNSW Initiatives

Education for

Sustainability

FBE curriculum

Masters in BE (SD)

Sustainable Living

Project

NSW Learning for Sustainability Environmental Education Plan

Vision:

“Effective and integrated environmental education which builds the capacity of the people of NSW to be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability”

NSW Learning for SustainabilityKey principles

Assisting community participation

Integrated with other environmental management tools

Acknowledges complex interactions between diverse aspects of societal problems

Focus on social change towards sustainability

Lifelong learning relevant to all aspects of living

Continual improvement a requirement for effective programs

http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/cee/learning+for+sustainability.htm

EfS at UNSW Integrated approach to curriculum

change Interdisciplinary across all teaching

programsFocus on student critical thinking skills

developmentEnvisions sustainability as a content

base for all teaching programs

Faculty of the Built Environment

Curriculum integration in all programs

Masters in BE (sustainable development)

Sustainable Living Project (SLP)

Eco-Innovate (youth capacity building model)

Sustainable Living Competition (incentives model)

Knowledge Networks (professional and resource

development model for curriculum change)

The Sustainable Living Project

Vision:

"Through the vehicle of Australia’s high schools, the mission of the Sustainable Living Project is to foster a vision of hope in a sustainable future within young people while providing mechanisms for our educators, as key mentors, to deliver a future generation with the tools and ability to engage effectively in creating a future balanced between the needs of society and the needs of the earths ecology that supports us."

The Sustainable Living Project Education for Sustainability initiative Vision of EfS as a tool for change Targets:

Formal Education Sector (Sustainable living Competition)

Young people (Eco-innovate) Teachers (Knowledge Networks)

http://www.sustainableliving.com.au/

Eco-innovate 03 UNEP partnered Asia Pacific youth capacity building

model

Piloted an EfS framework based on Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future (UNESCO/Griffith)

Provides a holistic vision of sustainability aimed at inspiring action for change

Provides ongoing support to young people actively engaged in innovation for sustainability

Sustainable Living Competition Incentives for EfS Encouraging innovation and leadership Rewarding individual, class level and school

level efforts towards sustainability Links with other national EE initiatives and

programs Provides opportunity and support to teachers

championing sustainability in high schools nationally

Knowledge Networks Project Curriculum Change Participation Action Research Professional development Key resource development Education for Sustainability database Builds upon NSW Learning for Sustainability

plan.