Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

The goal

Integrate the education for sustainable development into formal education systems of Central Asia at all levels.

Areas of activities

• Develop the ESD dialogue and networks in order to exchange experience and best practices on ESD in Central Asia;
• Develop the legislative and institutional base for ESD promotion;
• Harmonize of the national education standards and ESD Programmes in Central Asia;
• Build the capacity in the field of sustainable development through trainings for various target groups;
• Develop and introduce modern educational and methodological materials on ESD.

Initiatives of the WSSD, UNESCO and UNECE on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) have found support and understanding in the Central Asian (CA) countries, and in January, 2003 CAREC has created an overall CA Programme of Environmental Education (EE) for Sustainable Development (SD).

Today, the experience of subregional cooperation of the CA countries on ESD is recognised by our partners as one of the best in Europe and Asia. Active participation of Central Asia in the processes of development and implementation of the ESD Strategies in Europe and Asia is a good opportunity for coordination and integration of national and subregional programmes with global and regional initiatives.

New objectives set up for the ESD Programme for 2007-2011 correspond with both the international priorities on education and the needs of the CA countries:

1. To assist in the development of dialogue and networking on ESD in order to share experience on ESD in the CA subregion (networking and data bases on ESD).
2. To provide support for the development of the National plans on ESD in the CA countries (institutional base for promotion of ESD).
3. To provide support for the development/harmonization of national standards in the CA countries (integration of ESD into educational systems of the countries).
4. To build capacity of ESD through trainings for different target groups (capacity building on ESD).
5. To develop and introduce modern textbooks, manuals and methodology on ESD (educational materials).

Central Asia has established and developed mechanisms for the coordination of programmes and projects in the EE and ESD spheres, with participation of main stakeholders, including the ministries of Education and Environment, scientific bodies, educational institutions, public and international organisations. Hundreds of organisations, schools, independent experts and volunteers have formed a joint CA Programme on EE and ESD.

The Central Asian Working Group on EE and ESD began making decisions and implementing projects on EE and ESD in Central Asia in 2003. Cooperation of educational, environmental, scientific sectors of NGOs is strengthened through its activity.

The Central Asian ESD Programme provides practical support to educational institutions, ministries and NGOs in Central Asian countries through the mutual implementation of projects on the development of new teaching materials, posters, CDs, videos on climate change, water problems and biodiversity, etc., educational, methodology and information materials; conducting trainings for educators and annual subregional conferences for stakeholders.

From 2002 to 2008, CAREC has conducted seven subregional conferences with the support of partners and donors. The annual conducting of the subregional conferences is evidence of the sustainability of the Central Asian ESD process; it can be considered as a model of successful CA experience on ESD and represents a unique opportunity for new interested partners to join the process. Information received at the annual conferences, experience and materials are used by CA countries in the educational process at national and local levels through trainings, seminars and practical activities by educators, state officials and NGOs.

For further information you may contact:

- Ms Tatyana Shakirova, ESD Programme Manager, at +7(727)2785110, 2785022 or tshakirova@carec.kz