September 2003
ECO-Accord comments to the UNESCO Framework for a
Draft International Implementation Scheme
Having discussed the Draft Framework
ECO-Accord, Russian environmental advocacy non-governmental organisation, generally
welcomes the draft document and congratulates authors with a very good and comprehensive
start of this work.
We think that the proposed approach is a good way to
organize an international/ global process for implementation of the UN Decade on Education
for Sustainable Development (DESD).
Herewith we would like to give some comments to the
disseminated text.
GENERAL POINTS:
Speaking about existing processes the document refers
to several international and UN initiatives, such as UN Literacy Decade and others.
However it does not sufficiently reflect existing experience in environmental
education. We understand and share the point view that ESD and environmental
education (EE) are different, however EE may and should provide a very good contribution
for the comprehensive ESD and became an integral part of ESD. Almost 30 years of
experience and cooperation at different levels in the area of EE should be adequately
reflected in the document while the results of this cooperation should be used for
International Implementation Scheme. In this regard we think that direct reference to
Tbilisi, Thessalonica and other meetings on EE would be beneficial. Furthermore, in many
countries, for example in our region – Newly Independent States – development and
introducing ESD into school education systems would be easier if the process would be
linked clearly with EE. This is because EE is already being included into programs and
curricula and may provide a good starting point for ESD.
We think that better and clearer links with
regional processes on ESD are also needed. In particular we think that the
Implementation Scheme should directly refer and build upon the results of the UNECE
process of developing a Regional Strategy on ESD that has been recently agreed by
environmental ministers of the region at their 5th Ministerial Conference
“Environment for Europe” (Kiev, Ukraine, May 2003). ECO-Accord is being actively
involved in the process and among other priorities coordinates the NGO contribution on ESD
to the process, that is being provided by different organizations from the entire UNECE
region on the platform of the European ECO-Forum. The UNECE Strategy on ESD may become a
very good regional contribution to the DESD and would play a catalytic role for global
development. It should therefore be defiantly reflected and supported by this document.
We also are concerned about the lack of attention to
ecosystems, biosphere and biodiversity conservation in the current Draft Framework. In
all chapters we see the reference to natural recourse use only. However, in our view ESD
must exclusively address nature conservation as one of the unavoidable preconditions of
life on the Earth. Therefore the document should be amended and ecosystem conservation
should be included.
Speaking about the implementation of the UN DESD one
can not underestimate the role of the civil society and NGOs in particular in this
process. NGOs often become not only messengers but real partners for governments and
educators. In our view better provision for public participation in ESD at all
level is needed for this document. In addition to information dissemination and
awareness raising which is being addressed by the Draft quite well, NGOs really work “in
the field” and implement educational projects in local communities, develop and produce
educational materials and play advocacy role in developing official documents and
agreements. There are many examples of such work in different parts of the world. We think
that such roles should be reflected in the Draft. This would also reflect the
implementation of the Principle 10 of the Rio-92 Declaration which refers to major groups
involvement into decision-making process and addresses necessity and benefits of public
participation. Therefore we propose to enhance the role of NGOs and civil society in all
chapters of the discussing document.
With regard to different levels and kinds of education
that are also being reflected in the Draft, we would like to see more attention to
professional education and trainings and additional education. We also think that
there should be a reference to the necessity to provide for a possibility for PhD studies
in ESD. With regard to non-formal and informal education, we think that there is not
enough addressed in the document and propose to enhance this area in the next draft.
Regarding the need to address awareness raising of governmental decision makers on issues
related to environment and sustainable development we suggest a reference to the
importance of organising trainings and workshops for governmental policy makers on
environment and sustainable development issues.
COMMENTS AND PROPOSLAS ON THE TEXT
Additionally to the above general observations which we
would be happy to discuss further working on the document, we would also like to give some
particular comments to the text.
P.2 Para 5 from the top:
in addition to conservation and protection of natural recourse base, ecosystems
and biodiversity conservation is needed to be addressed. It would be also beneficial
to address tolerance while speaking about international understanding and cultural
and linguistic diversity.
P.3 Para 1: The
Rio 1992 Conference should be refered as UN Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED).
P.3 Para2 of the section
“Meeting MDG” refers to benefits promised by globalistaion to several regions
of the world. We think that such approach is questionable and may cause further
discussions that would mislead the process of developing this document in certain extent.
Therefore we propose to delete here the reference to benefits of globalization and
rephrase the text in a following way: “While considerable progress in transition
to sustainable development has been made around the world, it has been uneven with
regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and many small island states yet to see
the benefits promised by globalization.’
P.5 Para 3 is
addressing training where all sectors can contribute. It also stresses the role of
Business and industry exclusively. We think that this para should be amended by the
role of NGOs as partners in organizing trainings for all sectors.
P.5 Para 2 from
the bottom: Reference to Tbilisi-77, Thessalinika and Kiev-2003 should be added.
P.7 Para 2 from the top
(Environmental Conservation and Protection): while addressing “Education
to develop widespread understanding of the interdependence and fragility of planetary life
support systems and the natural resource base upon human well-being depends lies at the
core of education for sustainable development”, reference to ecosystems is very
important. This may be added after the words natural resource base, that it would read:
“…fragility of planetary life support systems and, the natural
resource base and ecosystems…”
P.7 Para 3 from the top (Rural
Transformation). The last sentence of this para says:
“A multi-sectoral educational approach involving
all ages and formal, non-formal and informal education is necessary.” This is a very
important message, however it appears ONLY in this particular chapter in such way. We
propose to stress this point and move it to preambula of the whole chapter “Key Themes
in Education for Sustainable Development” where “Rural Transformation is only a part
of.
P.8 Para 2 from the top again
addresses conservation of natural resource base. This should be changed either to conservation
of nature or amended by “conservation of natural resource base and
ecosystems”.
P.9 Section II “A Partnership
Approach to the DESD”
Better provision for public participation and in
particular role of NGOs is needed at all discussing levels from local to international.
Discussing the cooperation at national level,
we propose to address involvement of all sectors in the ESD development process as
a role of education ministry and other ministries. At the same time other partners
should actively participate in this process. When describing the role of NGOs,
participation in educational projects should be also stressed. Participation in
providing resources for ESD should be added to the role of private sector.
This is also relevant for regional and international
levels.
In conclusion we express our gratitude for the
opportunity to comment the Draft Framework and for consideration of this paper.
We would like to express our interest and willingness
to participate in further elaboration of this document at all stages. We would like also
to participate in the International ad hoc Working Group which is envisaged to be
established.
Contact:
Eco-Accord Center
Tel/Fax: +7-095-9257393
Tel: +7-095-9215174
E-mail: accord@leadnet.ru
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