Education for Sustainable Development Special Interest Group Monday, November 29, 2010 - 12:04

NIACE has launched the next in a series of Special Interest Groups which will give members the opportunity to discuss Education for Sustainable Development and help shape NIACE's advocacy, policy and development work around this issue.

Jane Ward, NIACE Senior Programme Manager, said:

"Education for Sustainable Development is a powerful form of learning that cuts across all curriculum areas. Through discrete and embedded teaching and learning it address the interconnected environmental, social and economic challenges affecting global and local society and supports the development of more sustainable communities and workplaces."

"More and more educators across the learning and skills sectors are taking up Education for Sustainable Development but developments are still in their infancy."

NIACE's new Special Interest Group will provide a unique opportunity for NIACE members, interested in expanding this issue into learning for adults, to debate this theme and share information and practice with others who are passionate about this issue."

The NIACE Education for Sustainable Development Special Interest Group will be a cross sector e-group that link managers, champions and practitioners interested in.   

The early principles of the group, which members can refine, are to:

• share information on and debate policy issues with members;
• provide members with a voice in policy responses and in national provider groups;
• provide a forum for discussion of ESD practice, issues and challenges; and
• contribute provider perspectives on ESD to NIACE's advocacy, development and research work. 

The launch of this new Special Interest Group co-incides with the start, today, of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change in Cancun, Mexico.

Jane Ward added:

"Climate change is a complex concept in which knowledge and solutions are constantly debated and reframed. Adult learning is one of the ways in which adults can hone their understanding and skills for critical engagement and for making informed responses to these challenges."

"Climate change is just one of the elements of sustainable development which also concerns interconnected economic and community factors. Together these add up to a complex challenge for educators engaging with Education for Sustainable Development."

Members can take an active role in the Education for Sustainable Development Special Interest Group which will look at and help set the agenda. If you would like to sign up or to find out more please contact Jane Ward, who leads on NIACE's work for Education for Sustainable Development.

This Special Interest Group is open to all NIACE members. If you would like to get involved but are not currently a member of NIACE you can join as a corporate or individual member by downloading an application form.

Alternatively please contact the Membership Team at members@niace.org.uk , 0116 2044275

NIACE has a range of other Special Interest Groups, including those focusing on:

• Apprenticeships
• Education and Mental Health
• Digital Learning

Please contact Shona Farmer if you would like more information or you are interested in joining any of these Special Interest Groups or have suggestions for others NIACE should establish.