New UN Report: Mid-Decade review of UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD, 2005-2014), offers an opportunity to rethink the manner in which we approach global challenges. Since its international launch in New York on 1st March 2005, the DESD has made considerable progress in terms of concrete activities and actions on the ground. Apart from the regional and national launches, progress has been achieved in both institutional and programmatic areas at international, regional and national levels. However, given the scale and severity of the global challenges we face, much still remains to be done.

This mid-Decade review comes at a time when the economic, social, environmental and cultural realms of global society are faced with daunting challenges. Today, more than ever before, the need for a holistic approach to learning and teaching becomes both vital and urgent. If its potential to contribute to the paradigm shift in thinking, learning and teaching for a sustainable world is to be realised, ESD has to move to the political centre-stage.
The perspectives in this review should serve as a backdrop for not only making the DESD a success but also for ensuring that ESD occupies a salient position on international, regional, national and local agendas.

From the Forward to “Review of Contexts and Structures for Education for Sustainable Development 2009”.

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