Hello I will guide you through the site and share with you information about the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). More On 20 July 2004, UNESCO’s Director-General, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, convened a High-Level Panel on the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD, 2005-2014). The panel was composed of leading experts in the field: Prof. Alpha Omar Konaré, President of the Commission of the African Union and former President of the Republic of Mali; Dr Akito Arima, Senator and Former Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan; Mr Carl Lindberg, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science of Sweden; and Mr Steven Rockefeller, Chairman of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The objective of this meeting was for these experts to give guidance to UNESCO on the DESD, its draft International Implementation Scheme and the launch activities of the Decade. In his remarks during the morning session, the Director-General stressed the links between DESD and other international frameworks, noting that UNESCO is devoting particular attention to questions of quality education throughout them all. In a frank, wide-ranging and constructive exchange of views, the Panel expressed their general satisfaction with the results so far achieved by UNESCO in its preparations for the Decade. Among the key issues raised were the following: the transition from a concept of environmental education to the notion of education for sustainable development (ESD); the development of the concept of sustainable development up to the Johannesburg summit in 2002; the need to learn from the experience of other decades, build on proven strengths and anticipate the kinds of follow-up mechanisms that will be needed; the links between DESD and other frameworks of international action, notably EFA, the UN Literacy Decade and the MDG process; the importance of transmitting key values; the role of faith communities in the ESD debate; the important role of culture; the place of ESD within quality education; and the need for sound indicators, effective monitoring and regular reporting on DESD actions. The Panel regarded UNESCO as uniquely positioned to play the leadership and coordination role for the Decade, which was characterized as a golden opportunity for everyone involved in education. The Panel discussed a range of practical issues, including the international, regional and national launches of the Decade and the logos to be used. The members of the Panel emphasized their personal commitment to the Decade and their willingness to continue serving on the Panel, though they recommended that its membership be extended in terms of gender and civil society representation.

In Focus

In his remarks during the morning session, the Director-General stressed the links between DESD and other international frameworks, noting that UNESCO is devoting particular attention to questions of quality education throughout them all. In a frank, wide-ranging and constructive exchange of views, the Panel expressed their general satisfaction with the results so far achieved by UNESCO in its preparations for the Decade. Among the key issues raised were the following: the transition from a concept of environmental education to the notion of education for sustainable development (ESD); the development of the concept of sustainable development up to the Johannesburg summit in 2002; the need to learn from the experience of other decades, build on proven strengths and anticipate the kinds of follow-up mechanisms that will be needed; the links between DESD and other frameworks of international action, notably EFA, the UN Literacy Decade and the MDG process; the importance of transmitting key values; the role of faith communities in the ESD debate; the important role of culture; the place of ESD within quality education; and the need for sound indicators, effective monitoring and regular reporting on DESD actions. The Panel regarded UNESCO as uniquely positioned to play the leadership and coordination role for the Decade, which was characterized as a golden opportunity for everyone involved in education. The Panel discussed a range of practical issues, including the international, regional and national launches of the Decade and the logos to be used. The members of the Panel emphasized their personal commitment to the Decade and their willingness to continue serving on the Panel, though they recommended that its membership be extended in terms of gender and civil society representation.

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