Education for Sustainable Development for Child Education and Schools

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is acurriculum in a meaningful context. The key to
rather new field of education. We can see it as anthat is the opportunity to use and reflect on
innovative kind of future education for schoolsthese 'traditional' ingredients of classic schooling in
linking the child's development with the futurethe meaningful contexts derived from the focus
challenges of society.on sustainable development.
I don't think that education for sustainableEducation for sustainable development and schools
development is just another buzzword forgottenSome schools have focused on the beautification
in a few years. From a global perspective as wellof their school environment. This might help the
as a local perspective we have to direct educationschool's prestige in the local society but it isn't
toward what will be truly useful for each child andhelpful for education for sustainable development
for each society in the future.unless it happens as the students' project.
To have a fulfilling life should be within reach for allSimilarly some schools have put a lot of emphasis
children whereever they are born. In too manyin making the school buildings more 'green' with
parts of society and of the world children growsolar power panels, recycling systems, water
up in hazardous environments with very poorconservation measures and tree planting around
conditions for basic requirements and bleakthe school. Again, such initiatives are only valuable
prospects for their future.for the learning of the students if they are
Education for Sustainable Development is derivedplanned as student projects. You cannot evaluate
from the Brundtland report's focus on Sustainablethe quality of a school's work with education for
Development (SD). The Brundtland report requiressustainable development from a picture of the
fundamental changes in the society and itsschool.
institutions, in politics and in our individual family lifeConcerning a better approach to ESD,
styles. Economic development cannot beheadmaster and teachers should ask questions
separated from social development and a concernlike: - How can we challenge students' thinking on
for the environment.the future and how to make use of parts of the
ESD for child development Educational researchcore curriculum in a meaningful way in
can tell us a lot of how to make use of educationcombination? - How can we teachers cooperate
for sustainable development for child development.to create stimulating activities and plan the
The most important fact might be that ESD is anteaching in such a way that the self-esteem of
excellent frame for the empowerment of children.the students will benefit from it? - How can we
When we respect each individual child for its ideashelp students to investigate local people's concern
and opinion, and at the same time bring the childfor the future and how to make sense of such
into challenging learning situations we facilitateresults? - How can we help students to try to
empowerment of the child.make a difference according to their wishes and
Developing self esteem and empowerment goesvisions?
hand in hand in education for sustainableEducation for sustainable development will gain
development. A proper self esteem is such anincreasing publicity as the picture of environmental
important part of successful child development.degradation, energy shortage, climate change,
Another important fact is that ESD is aincreasing poverty mixed with increasing wealth
productive frame for meaningful learning. Oppositeand the overall picture of globalization becomes
to rote learning and the acquisition of factsmore evident.
without much understanding meaningful learningWe cannot blame our children for these issues but
situations help the child to engage fully in theit is our duty to educate them to be able to cope
teaching. By working with real problems the childwith such complex and controversial issues and to
can develop much better understanding oflive a decent life with a belief that it is possible for
concepts and skills from the schools coreeverybody to make a difference to the better.