LLinE Lifelong Learning in Europe

Orientation 1/2009

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND LIFELONG LEARNING

Education and lifelong learning have an important role to play in equipping citizens with the competences and attitudes necessary for creating an environmentally, economically, socio-politically and culturally sustainable future. In this issue we examine efforts and initiatives across Europe to further sustainable development in different fields of the society.

Carl Lindberg
EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – A NECESSITY FOR SHAPING THE FUTURE
Lifelong learning for sustainable development is the most important task for European societies today and in the foreseeable future. The writer eloquently shows what Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) means for a variety actors from intergovernmental organisations and governments to schools, universities and local actors.

Kaisa Lindström
OTAVA FOLK HIGH SCHOOL BELIEVES: SUSTAINABLE IS MORE THAN ABLE
The Otava Folk High School is nowadays widely known for its work for future research and alternative pedagogies. Education for Sustainable Development is seen as a way to implement alternative pedagogy and a holistic approach in the school’s work.

Stefania Romano
PAVING THE WAY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE
Sustainable development and environmental protection have today become priority goals for governments worldwide. Local authorities have a crucial role to play in enabling communities to become more involved in efforts for sustainable development. Recognising this led to the establishment of the Course for Sustainability for capacity building among local authorities in Central Eastern Europe.

Vicky Malotidi
EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS
The Mediterranean Education Initiative for the Environment and Sustainability (MEdIES) aims to develop educators’ capacities in the concepts, values and methods of Education for Sustainable Development. The writer presents the principles and methodological guidelines of the network as well as examples of ESD training seminars for educators.

Alex Randall
RE-SKILLING BRITAIN
In Wales, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) trains people in the practical skills and methods needed to make the transition to a low-carbon economy. CAT offers courses aimed at electricians, plumbers and architects as well as managers and policymakers. In addition to its course offer, the Centre applies methods and principles of sustainable development in its everyday work.

Anna Bliesner and Holger Rohn
COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
The Eukona project aimed to formulate an approach for the integration of sustainability issues in adult learning in the food and nutrition sector. For this work the project was chosen as a United Nations Decade Project for Education for Sustainability. The writers deal with the lessons learned when putting Education for Sustainable Development into practice in vocational education.

Denis Leboucher and Jean-Paul Martin
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND ECO-CITIZENSHIP
In Basse-Normandie, integrating sustainable development in professional training extends beyond mere technical awareness. The focus is on eco-citizenship – on producing responsible citizens, both at work and in social life. The writers argue that eco-citizenship skills are the basic essentials, intrinsic to any training process.

Anna Kotsalo-Mustonen
USING CONCEPTS FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD TO EXPLORE THE BALTIC SEA RESCUE CHALLENGE
The Foundation for a Living Baltic Sea was founded to fight the manifold environmental problems of the Baltic Sea. The writer provides an insight into using business logic to create innovative ways of working to raise awareness and funds for rescuing the world’s most polluted sea.

INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY
This year LLinE is publishing a series of articles on innovation and creativity in and for lifelong learning in Europe.

Pasi Sahlberg
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNING
The knowledge society demands people with better education and abilities to work with ideas. Education systems have trouble finding ways of adapting to the need for innovation and including creativity in current teaching and learning processes. The writer argues that we should rethink the meaning and nature of both creativity and innovation and what they mean to lifelong learning.

LITERATURE

John Phelps
DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE GROUP WORK PRAXIS
Bríd Connolly