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BUP- MEDIES Uppsala, 6-12 October 2008 'Training in ESD through an inter-regional perspective” Vera DILARI Hellenic Ministry of Education Department of International Organizations E-mail: [email protected] The Ministry of Education is planning specific actions to accomplish the vision of an educational system that shapes values and attitudes to make its citizens members of a sustainable society, within the framework of the DESD and according to UNESCO’s Implementation Guidelines as well as UNECE’s Strategy. At national level, ESD is one of the five pillars of the Ministry’s program; many schools elaborate projects referring to climate changes; universities develop and participate in relevant projects; they also organize conferences or seminars about the consequences of climate changes; the centers of environmental education offer teachers seminars on related topics. The Department of International Organizations is responsible for the coordination of ASP net (Associated Schools Project network) and SEMEP (South-Eastern Mediterranean Environmental Project), two UNESCO projects for promoting ESD. Associated Schools Project (ASP net) The General Conference, invites the Director-General “to relate the work and activities of ASPnet to the priority needs of UNESCO, and in particular to the implementation of the Dakar Framework for Action (goal 3 and goal 6) and the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), taking into account the potential of the network in carrying out intersectoral activities and programmes” (General Conference, 34th session, Records Volume 1- Resolutions, page 27) Draft UNESCO Strategy for action on climate change “UNESCO’s Associated Schools Network will be used for pilot testing of prototype material and awareness-raising tools, providing information to educators, teachers and students worldwide. Support for higher education institutions will be provided through the UNESCO Chairs programme and the UNITWIN network to increase local, national and regional capacities to make informed decisions about climate change, enable full participation in international debates, develop local adaptation and mitigation strategies, and develop capacities to take full advantage of opportunities for economic development, technological innovations and market incentives that may arise from mitigation actions, resource management practices and international conventions”. (Report by the DG on a refined UNESCO Strategy for Action on Climate Change, 180 EX/16, Annex page 7-8) How ASPnet operates • 8.000 educational institutes from 177 UNESCO member-states participate in the net. • Flagship projects: Baltic Sea Project Mondialogo Contest The Great Volga River Route The Sand watch beach monitoring project • Study themes: World concerns and the UN system Peace and Human Rights Education for Sustainable Development Intercultural learning • An International Coordinator at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris • A National Coordinator in each participating member-state (www.unesco.org/education/aspnet) ASP net in Greece • 25 out of 110 primary and secondary Greek schools are working on projects related to ESD such as: sustainable consumption, sustainable tourism, climate change, human rights, the rights of the child etc • Since 2000 a two day “Students Symposium” has been held each February. 20 senior high schools participate in this symposium & a common theme is worked on by the schools. The Symposium is hosted by one of the schools and it is organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO. The first day the students discuss in groups. The second day each group presents a report in a plenary session, like a parliament, with a chairman and a secretary. At the end the students adopt a resolution which is then submitted to UNESCO through the National Coordinator. • Training seminars for teachers are also organized together with the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO like “ Resolving conflicts at school based on Human Rights” South Eastern Mediterranean Sea Environmental Project (SEMEP) • It is an E.E Project Proposed to UNESCO by the Greek Government, launched in 1994, whish is now working within the framework of DESD. • 12 countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Region participate in this project http://kpe.vamou.chan.sch.gr (Greek web site) What is SEMEP • The project was launched in 1994 • It was proposed to UNESCO by the Greek Government • It is supported by UNESCO and the Government of each participating country • It is a Sub-regional ESD project integrating scientific, technological, ecological, social, economic, cultural and historical aspects. • It provides an opportunity to consider ESD issues that are of common concern to countries in the sub-region. • It encourages a holistic approach to education within the framework of existing school curricula. • It encourages collaboration and networking at both governmental and non-governmental levels. Objectives • Awareness and understanding of local and global scientific, technological, ecological, social, economic and cultural issues • Cooperation, communication and exchange of information and experiences between schools (teachers and students) as well as the communities of the subregion • Innovative interdisciplinary, holistic and context specific teaching /learning approaches • School-community links and sharing of knowledge and experiences • Environmental literacy for all. Educational Tools • • • • In-service training of teachers at sub-regional and national levels Research and experimentation to increase knowledge and skills Co-curricular activities to reinforce the existing curricula Development of sub regional and national teaching /learning materials and methods • Summer schools to share knowledge and cultural values and to promote a culture of peace • Sub-regional and national exchange of information and experiences through ICTs Coordination • A Project Manager at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris • National coordinators (NCs) designated by the government of each participating country • The Governing body meets once a year to assess results and problems encountered and to plan new activities for the next school year • National coordinators organize, coordinate and supervise implementation of activities at country level • The communication language is English but each country develops its national activities in its own language. Thank you all!