UNESCO Clearinghouse on GCED

41 Results found

The contribution of early childhood education to a sustainable society Year of publication: 2008 Corporate author: UNESCO This report originates from the international workshop, ‘The Role of Early Childhood Education for a Sustainable Society’, jointly organized in Göteborg, Sweden, by Göteborg University, Chalmers University of Technology and the City of Göteborg, from 2 to 4 May 2007. It was attended by thirty-five participants from sixteen different countries (see ‘List of Participants’). The workshop was a follow-up to the international conference on education for sustainable development, ‘Learning to Change Our World’, held in May 2004, in Göteborg. It was one of four preparatory workshops leading to another international conference on education for sustainable development, to be organized in 2008 or 2009, in the same city. The aim of the four workshops is to discuss promoters and barriers related to learning for sustainability, and to propose recommendations for the upcoming international conference. The present workshop was conceived for the following reasons. First, our societies urgently require new kinds of education that can help prevent further degradation of our planet, and that foster caring and responsible citizens genuinely concerned with and capable of contributing to a just and peaceful world. Second, these new kinds of education must be available to all – not only a handful of people – and take place in various settings, including families and communities. Third, they must begin in early childhood, as the values, attitudes, behaviours and skills acquired in this period may have a long-lasting impact in later life. Thus, early childhood education clearly has an important place in the efforts to bring about sustainable development.

2013 Asia-Pacific Education Research Institutes Network (ERI-Net) regional study on: transversal competencies in education policy and practice (Phase I): regional synthesis report Year of publication: 2015 Corporate author: UNESCO Office Bangkok and Regional Bureau for Education in Asia and the Pacific The Asia-Pacific region has been spearheading global, social, and economic development for the last several decades. Millions of people have been lifted out of poverty and basic education (primary and lower secondary) has become near universal in many countries in the region. Upper secondary and higher education enrollment rates have also increased significantly. However, while these are tremendous achievements, education quality remains a major concern among emerging economies and industrialized nations alike. While some countries in the region excel in international assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), other countries still attain low scores. National assessment results of countries that have not participated in international assessments reveal large knowledge and skills disparities among students of the same country. In some cases the results also indicate a very low attainment level of basic skills, even after years of schooling.At the same time, the debate surrounding what actually constitutes quality education and learning in the 21st century is ongoing. There is a growing concern that education systems are focusing too much on the accumulation of academic “cognitive” skills at the expense of the more elusive and hard-to-measure “nonacademic” skills and competencies. The accumulation of these skills and competencies, which include skills and competencies in efficient communication with others, innovative thinking, respect for diversity and the environment, conflict resolution, team work, problem solving, and so on, is not only important for students to be adequately prepared for the world of work, but is also paramount in ensuring future generations are equipped to live meaningful, sustainable, and responsible lives in a rapidly changing and interconnected world.1 The effects of the limited attention paid to such skills and competencies in education can be felt in a number of domains and include, for example: poor respect for diversity (including socio-economic, ethnic, and gender equality), neglect of environmental issues, and a lack of innovation and social entrepreneurship among students.To counter these challenges, many countries and economies in the Asia-Pacific region have introduced, or are in the process of introducing, policy and curriculum changes aimed at enhancing the cultivation of such “non-academic” skills and competencies in learners. To date, these important reforms in the Asia-Pacific region have not been widely documented, and hence, in 2013 members of the Asia-Pacific Education Research Institutes Network (ERI-Net), hosted by UNESCO Bangkok since 2009, agreed to make this their next topic of investigation. The research aims to document and consolidate reform initiatives for knowledge dissemination and policy consideration to the benefit of countries and economies in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. In phase I, the 2013 ERI-Net research examined how different countries and economies in the region define and apply “non-academic” skills (often termed “non-cognitive skills”) in their education policies, practices, and curriculum frameworks, and identified emerging trends and challenges. This report synthesizes ten case studies and includes important information and insights gained from the discussions held during the ERI-Net annual meeting 2013.The objectives of the report are: (i) to capture the movements in the realm of “non-academic” learning in ten education systems in the Asia-Pacific region; (ii) to identify possible policy recommendations for promoting and enhancing well-rounded and holistic learning; and, (iii) to suggest further stages of investigation.

Education: global citizenship education in context Corporate author: Global Hive In a fast-changing and globalized reality, there are many who believe that education can, and should, help young people to meet the challenges they will confront now and in the future, and that educating for global citizenship is now more important and urgent than ever before. Upon reflection back over this decade of work, however, there is an indication that not a lot of progress has been made in expanding education for global citizenship (Schulz, 2007; Canadian Council for International Cooperation, 2004). In the early 1990s, with the financial assistance of the Canadian International Development Agency and inspired by visions of global solidarity, Canadian schools and community organizations joined together in efforts to educate students on global society, though since then funding has been cut drastically, and coordinated efforts across sectors have decreased, as schools and NGOs face their own budget cuts. In a recent poll conducted by VisionCritical and the Inter-Council Network of Provincial and Regional Councils for Global Cooperation, it was found that one third of Canadians rank global poverty (hunger in the world) among the first, second and third most concerning issues to them globally. Moreover, the majority of Canadians believe there is a human rights obligation to reduce global poverty, and believe there are significant benefits to doing so, including improving Canada’s international reputation, reducing global conflict, and reducing risks of pandemics. Global Citizenship Education is essential for the following reasons: Education for Global Citizenship gives young people access to the knowledge, understanding, skills, and values that they need to participate fully in ensuring their own and others’ well-being, and to make a positive contribution both locally and globally. Global Citizenship Education involves children and youth fully in their own learning through the use of a range of activities and participatory learning methods. This engages the learner, but also develops confidence, self-esteem, and skills of critical thinking, communication, cooperation and conflict resolution. Current use of the world’s resources is inequitable and unsustainable. As the gap between the rich and the poor widens, poverty continues to deny millions of people around the world their basic human rights. Education is a powerful tool for changing the world because tomorrow’s adults are the children and youth we are educating today. For teachers interested in promoting global citizenship, the next and most immediate question is how: How can I integrate and teach global citizenship education when I have so many other pressing curriculum requirements to get through with my students? How does Global Citizenship Education relate to English Language Arts or Physical Education? This toolkit seeks to provide information on how global citizenship education can be integrated into many areas of the curriculum, offer some tools and methods by which to do so, and present some illustrative case studies to provide inspiration and guidance.

Education sector responses to climate change: background paper with international examples Year of publication: 2012 Corporate author: UNESCO Office Bangkok and Regional Bureau for Education in Asia and the Pacific Through a review of academic articles and project documents, this paper explores the relationship between the education sector and climate change. It introduces how education is both impacted by and has an impact on this phenomenon, and proposes various sector responses. Different theoretical frameworks for where and how climate change education fits into the education sector are made concrete with case studies from across the globe. An essential introduction to climate change and education, this paper brings together theory, policy and practice. A useful read for those working in either the education sector or on climate change.

Education for sustainable development; good practices in addressing biodiversity Year of publication: 2012 Corporate author: UNESCO To support the growing interest in biodiversity issues and ESD, UNESCO is publishing this volume containing 24 examples of programmes addressing biodiversity in ESD settings and practices. These good practices and shared experiences, which were provided by a range of different stakeholders, are concrete examples of successful implementation of ESD in different fields and sectors, from the political to the school level, and including formal, non-formal and informal learning situations.

Education for sustainable development: good practices in addressing climate change Year of publication: 2012 Corporate author: UNESCO Since the beginning of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD, 2005-2014), the DESD Secretariat at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris has received numerous requests for case studies and descriptions of good practices in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). These requests have increasingly included issues of providing an educational response to climate change. The increasing number of requests is only one indicator that climate change education is increasingly recognized in the broader education community as an essential part of ESD and life-long learning. ESD is a complex and evolving subject, and how it is applied and implemented is a challenge for all countries. The Decade aims to see ESD implemented in thousands of local situations on the ground, involving its integration into a multitude of different learning situations. These initiatives can be catalysts for action and contribute to the goals and objectives of the Decade. In such ways, organizations, local communities and individuals can be actors within the global movement for sustainable development. To support the growing interest in climate change issues and ESD, UNESCO is publishing this volume containing 17 examples of programmes addressing climate change in ESD settings and practices. These good practices and shared experiences, which were provided by a range of different stakeholders, are concrete examples of successful implementation of ESD in different fields and sectors, from the political to the school level, and including formal, nonformal and informal learning situations.

Happy Schools Art E-Exhibition Year of publication: 2016 Corporate author: UNESCO Bangkok Happy Schools Art E-Exhibition What does a Happy School look like to you? A happy learner is more likely to be a thriving one – better able to solve problems and apply critical thinking skills, more self-confident and likelier to form and foster positive relationships with others. Happy learners require Happy Schools, those that ensure the holistic development and well-being of students and the wider school community. In today’s rapidly changing world, we are faced with increasing mobility, life stress, competition, information overload, inequalities and environmental concerns. As these symptoms of ‘unhappiness’ begin to emerge, the Happy Schools Project calls for the need for education systems to reposition the school as more than a service for educational instruction, but rather, an environment which allows for social and emotional growth and development for learners to contribute to a more peaceful, just and equitable world. As part of UNESCO Bangkok’s Happy Schools Project, the Happy Schools team hosted an art contest in early 2016 in an effort to capture actions, moments and ideas that are promoting happiness in schools. All residents of the Asia-Pacific region were invited to submit images of any kind (photos, drawings, cartoons, paintings, graphics, and posters) along with a caption/description that captures the concept of Happy Schools. Thirty winners were selected from the pool of entries for the Happy Schools Art Exhibition and Report Launch (of the Happy Schools: A Framework for Learner Well-being in the Asia-Pacific report. The artwork will be on display for the Happy Schools Art Exhibition from 25 March to 3 April, 2016 at The Commons in Bangkok, Thailand, and available to view here as an e-exhibition.

Happy Schools!: A Framework for Learner Well-being in the Asia-Pacific Year of publication: 2016 Corporate author: UNESCO Bangkok The Happy Schools Project was launched in June 2014 in the aim of promoting learner well-being and holistic development. It follows on the findings of UNESCO Bangkok’s research on ‘Learning to Live Together’, which examined the ways in which education systems can promote peace through education in the Asia-Pacific region. While the concept of ‘Learning to Live Together’ is often reflected at policy level, there is little evidence as to how it is implemented in practice. Therefore, the Happy Schools Project aims to identify and recognize proven practices at school level that integrate this concept.

Research Report: A Comparative Study on Hybrid Learning in Schools Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) During the COVID-19 lockdown, policymakers and educators faced an unprecedented challenge disrupting all levels of education. The initial optimism about replacing physical classes with virtual lessons diminished as complex interconnected issues emerged. To address the need for continuous and sustainable learning, school systems implemented variations of hybrid learning during the pandemic, seeking to integrate physical and virtual classes. These approaches prompted this comparative study led by UNESCO-IBE. The initial phase of this study involved collecting and analysing data on hybrid strategies from six countries. The research aimed to examine factors influencing hybrid learning implementation during the lockdown, with a subsequent focus on developing and validating a practical Hybrid Learning Framework for Schools. The cross-case analysis was designed not to rank or compare, but to understand and connect different scenarios and contexts. Phase I focuses on current hybrid learning practices and influencing factors, while Phases II and III will concentrate on using the information gathered to create and validate a Hybrid Learning Framework for Schools. Hybrid learning is not just a response to pandemics but also serves as a viable solution for other scenarios where full school attendance is difficult. Aligned with UNESCO-IBE’s overarching vision of a comprehensive, personalized, and democratized curriculum accessible to all, hybrid learning facilitates inclusive education across diverse regions, overcoming geographical and temporal limitations. The approach aims to unlock the unique potential of every learner, fostering a more flexible educational environment.Published in February 2024 by the UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) with support from the European Union.

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