Resources
Explore a wide range of valuable resources on GCED to deepen your understanding and enhance your research, advocacy, teaching, and learning.
235 Results found
Education for sustainable development: an expert review of processes and learning Year of publication: 2011 Author: Daniella Tilbury Corporate author: UNESCO A key objective of this expert review is to gather information to inform the choice of tools and the specific questions which need to be asked as part of the 2011 DESD monitoring and evaluation report. The review seeks clarification on: i) Which commonly accepted learning processes are aligned with ESD and should be promoted through ESD activities? ii) What are ESD and related learning opportunities contributing to sustainable development? 
National journeys towards education for sustainable development, 2011: reviewing national experiences from Chile, Indonesia, Kenya, the Netherlands, Oman Year of publication: 2011 Author: I. Mulà | Daniella Tilbury Corporate author: UNESCO This publication has sourced information from a series of national reviews commissioned by UNESCO in 2010 and written by authoritative stakeholders in Chile, Indonesia, Kenya, the Netherlands and Oman. The selection of countries was based on: i) work showcased at the 2009 World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development held in Bonn, Germany; ii) submissions to the monitoring and evaluation process for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD); as well as iii) through evaluation material submitted by UNESCO staff in regional bureaux of education.The countries showcased in this report are not necessarily the ‘best’ examples of the region, as many other countries are also progressing effectively towards implementing ESD. Rather, the countries selected illustrate the wide diversity of ESD approaches and initiatives taking place in different parts of the learnt world. The national studies were then edited and harmonized before common themes and lessons learned were identified to support other national efforts in moving towards the second half of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Water education for sustainable development: a global synthesis Year of publication: 2012 Corporate author: International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Water education is key to achieve the water related MDGs. While there is a range of materials and projects focusing on water-related education, these are not well connected to offer customised solutions to individual countries. Some of the limitations identified with the existing water education include use of outdated, biased or irrelevant information; poor medium of instruction; lack of continuity between different levels of water education; lack of integration with the wider curriculum and with local knowledge; lack of practical relevance to local and community needs; lack of resources; and poor linkages with locally available professional bodies. The programme on “Water Education” is an initiative of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO, Water and Sustainable Education focused on an integrated understanding of biological and hydrological processes at a catchment’s scale in order to create a scientific basis for a new, cost-effective and systemic approach to the sustainable management of freshwater resources. 
Education for Sustainable Devleopment: Sourcebook Year of publication: 2013 Corporate author: UNESCO The target audiences for the Education for Sustainable Development Sourcebook are primary and secondary teachers and mid-level decision-makers, who have responsibility for primary and secondary education. Another primary audience is teacher educators who work with pre-service and in-service primary and secondary school teachers. The purpose of the publication is to describe ways in which education for sustainable development (ESD) can be integrated into primary and secondary schooling. This collection of briefs is designed to complement other ESD materials published by UNESCO. The topics for the briefs were selected in consultation with UNESCO Field Offices and Institutes. The briefs for primary and secondary teachers are specifically written for professional educators who work in formal education settings. The briefs for teachers as well as those for decision-makers address “gaps” in the UNESCO ESD literature. 
Framework for a DESD communication strategy in support of the UN decade of education for sustainable development Year of publication: 2007 Corporate author: UNESCO The following framework for a DESD Communication Strategy seeks to provide guidelines for different stakeholders to come together and work on a joint harmonious communication strategy, dedicated to furthering the exchange of information on ESD issues in order to: • share ESD information and resources between and among partners; • promote better cooperation among partners doing ESD work and create synergies; • reduce duplication of efforts in programme planning, design, and ESD advocacy; • strengthen individual partner's ability to help create a viable future by working together with others, with each partner contributing its own "piece of the puzzle". Minimum elements of a DESD communication strategy include an appropriate emphasis on: • dissemination of basic ESD information to all partners; • dissemination of available information sources pertinent to partners’ needs in ESD; • sharing prototype training materials, experiences of demonstration activities and related resources for testing, adapting and translating them to other cultural contexts; • dissemination of information about the experiences of project participants, emphasizing openness and clarity about problems encountered, in order to allow others to benefit from the lessons learned in practice. Media as partners in education for sustainable development: a training and resource kit Year of publication: 2008 Author: Eleanor Bird | Richard Lutz | Christine Warwick Corporate author: UNESCO Media as Partners in Education for Sustainable Development addresses issues that are being discussed on the social, economic and environmental fronts. It does not pretend to know all the answers, but draws on existing experience and recommends resources for further inquiry and research. It encourages the media to engage in public participation and to debate improvements that can lead to sustainable development. It also seeks to contribute to media awareness and understanding of sustainability, as outlined by the Agenda 21 Plan of Action for all nations endorsed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. 
Globalization and education for sustainable development: sustaining the future Year of publication: 2006 Author: Laura Wong Corporate author: United Nations University This publication presents the contributions and outcomes of the stimulating two day gathering in Nagoya, where representatives of governments, academia and civil society gathered to share their experiences and develop their ideas about how to ensure ESD within the context of globalizing societies. Teachers' guide for education for sustainable development in the Caribbean Year of publication: 2008 Author: Gillian Cambers | Grace Chapman | Paul Diamond | Lorna Down | Anthony D. Griffith | Winthrop Wiltshire Corporate author: UNESCO Santiago The publication “Teachers’ Guide for Education for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean” is geared towards regional teacher-trainers and teachers active at every level of education. Its purpose is two-fold: contribute to the integration of education for sustainable development into teaching practices through education initiatives, originally implemented in the Caribbean that may be feasible to replicate in the various classrooms, schools and communities; promote reflection, discussion and creation of innovative practices that involve all teachers in Decade activities and contribute to the making of sustainable societies. This document illustrates how different wills can come together moved by a desire to materialise common projects. Thus, this effort represents the work of regional specialists working in close cooperation with UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the financial support of the Government of Japan. 
Proceedings of the thematic session on education for sustainable development: towards effective disaster reduction and enhancing human security; cluster 3: knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience Year of publication: 2005 Author: Rajib Shaw | Badaoui Rouhban Corporate author: Kyoto University. Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies | Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction | Global Open Learning Forum on Risk Education | Disaster Reduction Alliance | International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology Ten years ago, the city of Kobe and its adjoining areas in Hyogo prefecture of Japan were hit by a strong earthquake, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction. This earthquake was a turning point in disaster reduction initiatives in Japan, resulting in two prominent changes: 1) a blending of technological and social issues in the field of research and application, and 2) an enhanced participation of civil society in disaster reduction Initiatives. Since Japan had long been one of the most developed countries in the field of earthquake engineering, the tragedy in Kobe posed a daunting question: 'how to fill the gap between knowledge and practice?' This question is not only for Japan, but is pertinent to many other countries. With the advancement of technology, the knowledge base is growing, and it is now time to tackle this question in order to save lives and properties from natural disasters. The World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR), at the 10th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake, is therefore of special significance, providing an excellent platform to share experiences, expertise, and lessons from different parts of the world. The year 2005 is also the beginning of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD: 2005-2014) which is led by UNESCO. 
Disaster reduction and human security: education for sustainable development; case studies and best practices Year of publication: 2005 Corporate author: Kyoto University. Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies Disaster reduction, human security, education and sustainable development are the four key issues, which are considered in the current compilation. A quick glance of the case studies will tell us the varieties of focus areas. WCD R Thematic Cluster 3 (Knowledge, Innovation and Education: To Build a Culture of Safety and Resilience) identifies four themes under the cluster: Education, Research, Public Awareness and Community Empowerment. A majority of case studies focus on community activities, especially on ho w the communities were able to cope with different types of disasters in different socio-economic context. These are all learning processes for the community, especially to enhance the resilience among its members. A number of these studies include public awareness, training and capacity building programmes. Quite a number of case studies focus on professional expertise, like microzonation, mapping, planning, hazard assessment, and development of risk reduction tools. These are all related to education and research. There are some case studies, which focus on formal education at school and colleges, but are linked to practical learning exercise. Distance learning has appeared as one of the possible media to reach the global mass, and to reach the farthest and the most needy group. The link between on-site testing and on-line learning has been emphasized by several case studies.