Education for Sustainable Development

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Background

Climate change is arguably the greatest challenge facing our society. It is not simply an environmental question, but has implications for social justice and cohesion, democratic participation and economic prosperity. If society is to move towards a more sustainable future, we will need to find new and different ways of doing things and education has a vital role to play in this. Sustainable development has been rising up the education agenda in recent years, and has a high profile in the new Common Inspection Framework.

These free regional seminars are designed to support Adult Community Learning (ACL), Third Sector and not for profit providers to develop their sustainable development policies and practices by exploring issues and sharing solutions and becoming part of an on-going conversation to take forward this important agenda. Research carried out by NIACE in 2008 suggests that ACL, Third Sector and not for profit providers are at different stages of introducing sustainable development into their work, and for most it is a relatively new area.

From September 2009, Ofsted inspections of all further education providers will evaluate the contribution that providers are making to sustainable development. Judgements will be made by inspectors on the extent to which:

• learners develop skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to sustainable development; and
• resources are managed in a sustainable way

In addition, Ofsted will promote the consideration of sustainable development within organisational selfassessment.

To support ACL and third sector providers to prepare for the changes, the Learning and Skills Council has asked NIACE to facilitate a range of activities to raise awareness, exchange information and share good and promising practice. These free regional awareness raising seminars are part of this project.

The seminars will provide opportunities to share experiences and expertise in education for sustainable development, types of evidence, resources and concerns and to find out more about the place of sustainable development within the new Common Inspection Framework for Further Education and Skills.

The conference programme will include presentations from Ofsted on the new inspection arrangements and from providers describing their journeys towards the implementation of sustainable development. There will also be group discussions and activities, and a strong focus on sharing knowledge and experiences and engaging delegates to develop the sustainability agenda within their own organisations. Full details of the programme will be decided by the project’s Advisory Group at its meeting in October and circulated to delegates.

Issues raised at the seminars will be captured and addressed through the project’s Community of Interest Platform (CoIP). Delegates will be encouraged to follow up their attendance by joining discussions on the CoIP and cascading information through their networks. The project has links with both the Learning and Skills Improvement Service
and the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges, which will help to ensure that materials and resources are effectively disseminated via the Excellence Gateway and SORTED websites.

We have sought as far as possible to hold the seminars in venues that are accessible by public transport, and encourage delegates to endeavour to minimise car use in travelling to the events.

Further information about the new Common Inspection Framework and sustainable development can be found at: www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090106.

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