Education for Sustainable Development
Addressing social, environmental and economic concerns to create a better world.
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Education for Sustainable Development
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) can be understood as “a lens that permits us to look critically at how the world is and to envision how it might be and equips us to deliver that vision” (QAA, 2021). ESD encourages colleagues, across all academic disciplines and subject areas, to think holistically about how learning content and outcomes, pedagogy and the learning environments can equip learners with key competencies to create and pursue futures taking in to account social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of their decisions and actions (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO, 2019).
ESD helps colleagues to consider how subject-specific learning outcomes might interconnect with the ESD competencies, the UN SDG’s and sustainable development more broadly.
- Sustainable Development - an aspirational ongoing process of addressing social, environmental and economic concerns to create a better world.
- Education for Sustainable Development - the process of creating curriculum structures and subject-relevant content to support sustainable development. (QAA, 2021).
FROM NEWCASTLE. FOR THE WORLD
Sustainable education at Newcastle University
Newcastle University is committed to equipping our students to be socially responsible, future focused, globally and culturally aware individuals. Many programmes across the University already prompt our students to consider critically the global challenges that we face and reflect on how we can achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. This achieved through programme content, learning environments and approaches to teaching and assessment.
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals read more about each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- QAA guidance on Education for Sustainable Development to support all students to acquire relevant skills and take action to move towards a more sustainable future.
- QAA new practice guides showcasing innovative examples of Education for Sustainable Development. (Sign up with your Newcastle email address to access the resources).
- The Association of Commonwealth Universities ACU. Newcastle University is a member of the ACU which is an international organisation providing opportunities to join networks, communities and events, apply for funding, learn from experts and influence policy agendas. Join the Newcastle University Education for Sustainable Development Microsoft Team to see the latest updates from the ACU.
- Sustainable Development Solutions Network SDSN, this network focuses on problem solving and finding solutions for sustainable development benefit.
- University Global Coalition UGC, provide an opportunity to engage and collaborate with other institutions. You can access resources and get involved in a full programme of events.
- Connect with colleagues and find out more about upcoming events and opportunities by joining the Education for Sustainable Development Microsoft Team.
- Hear more from Dr Tracy Scurry, Newcastle University Business School and Naomi Oosman-Watts, Careers Service in their Learning and Teaching Conference Presentation - Sustainable futures: how can Higher Education Institutions integrate social responsibility and sustainable development issues into the curriculum?
- Find out more about Shaping Futures, a NUSU campaign inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
