Education for Sustainable Development

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers people to change the way they think and work towards a sustainable future.

As a lifelong learning process, it enables people to understand the world around them and to identify the links and interdependencies between our individual selves, the wider society, and the natural and humanly constructed

environment, locally and globally. ESD is grounded in principles of social justice, equity and a respect for human rights and

seeks to foster engaged and active citizens, of all ages, motivated to take action towards a sustainable future. By learning from one another and working individually and collectively, solutions to key global challenges of the 21st Century, such as climate change, poverty, inequality, sustainable consumption and wellbeing can be identified and implemented.

“ESD empowers learners to take informed decisions and responsible actions for

environmental integrity, economic viability and a just society, for present and future

generations, while respecting cultural diversity. It is about lifelong learning, and is an

integral part of quality education. ESD is holistic and transformational education which

addresses learning content and outcomes, pedagogy and the learning environment. It

achieves its purpose by transforming society" (UNESCO)

ESD is a key enabler towards the achievement of Global Citizenship. Global Citizenship Education (GCE) empowers learners of all ages to understand that human rights violations, inequality and poverty are global, not merely local issues, and enables them to become active promoters of more peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, secure and sustainable societies. ESD is also pivotal to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

NCGE (host of the Euroguidance Centre in Ireland) recently held two Fora on this theme - as part of a GUIDANCE contribution to Ireland's National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development to 2030.