Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD have today (22 April 2021) on World Earth Day launched a joint public consultation on the development of the Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to 2030, by the two Departments.
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/4b35e-ministers-foley-and-harris-announce-joint-public-consultation-on-a-national-strategy-on-education-for-sustainable-development-to-2030/
Detailed information on how the general public can participate in the public consultation is available [external-link Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD have today (22 April 2021) on World Earth Day launched a joint public consultation on the development of the Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to 2030, by the two Departments. | here ]
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers people to change the way they think and work towards a sustainable future, to transform society by reorienting education and helping people to develop knowledge, skills, values and behaviours needed for sustainable development. (UNESCO: https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development)
UNESCO’s Framework for ESD for 2030 will be officially launched at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Berlin on 17-19 May 2021. ESD for 2030 builds on the Global Action Programme (the GAP, 2015-2019) that aimed to reorient and strengthen education and learning to contribute to all activities that promote sustainable development. It places a stronger focus on education’s central contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ESD for 2030 directly contributes to SDG 4 on quality and inclusive education, in particular Target 4.7, as well as all other SDGs, to provide relevant education that puts responsibility for the future at the centre. Further details can be found here
National Strategy on ESD 2014-2020
An interim review of the National Strategy in 2018 set out the significant progress achieved in integrating ESD and the principles of sustainable development into the education system at all levels. This has included: the integration of ESD across the curriculum from early childhood to post-primary levels and within new and existing courses in further and higher education and training; within assessment processes, school inspections and teacher training; and as a focus of higher education research.
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/National-Strategy-on-Education-for-Sustainable-Development-in-Ireland-2014-2020.pdf