UNECE has formulated a regional strategy for ESD, initiated during its Fifth Ministerial “Environment for Europe” Conference, which took place in Kiev in 2003. The objective of the Strategy is to incorporate key themes of sustainable development in all education systems. These themes include a wide range of issues: poverty alleviation, peace, ethics, democracy, justice, security, human rights, health, social equity, cultural diversity, economy, environmental protection, natural resource management. Countries agreed to develop indicators to assess the implementation, organise thematic and sub-regional workshops and compile good practices in education for sustainable development. View the UNECE strategy site here or download the strategy and implementation documents.
A sub-regional initiative involving all the member states of the Council of the Baltic Sea States called Baltic 21 has development a strong regional strategy concerning ESD based on the policy document the Haga Declaration.
North American Strategy
The US Partnership for the DESD is partnership of several hundred individuals, organizations, and institutions in the United States dedicated to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Its overall goal is to see sustainable development fully integrated into education and learning in the United States. For this purpose, a strategic plan has been formulated. In addition to the goals and recommendations put forth by the international community, particularly UNESCO’s IIS, the plan will also help to implement the Recommendations for Education for a Sustainable and Secure Future, developed at the 3rd National Conference convened by the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) in January, 2003. View the strategic plan here
Developing Indicators (Europe & North America)
UNECE has initiated a process for developing indicators by establishing an expert group that held four meetings during 2005 and 2006. See the terms of reference for the Expert Group here. In 2006, a document outlining indicators was finalised for use by countries in the region containing detailed questionnaire-based monitoring mechanisms. North America is also included in the UNECE strategy and indicators development processes.
Links to Regionally Active Organisations
Baltic 21 - Sustainable Development branch of the Council of the Baltic Sea States
The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education US based resources and network.
Council of Europe - ESD and democratic citizenship.
European Commission - Accounts for the European Union’s strategies and areas of work in sustainable development.
International Institute for Sustainable Development - Canadian-based think tank.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
European Strategy