Debbie, may I quote this important information in an upcoming article? I would like to mention you as the immediate source, or could that cause problems for you?.

From: EducationLoop@yahoogroups.com [mailto:EducationLoop@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of D.Niwa
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 5:30 AM
To: EdLoop
Subject: [EducationLoop] Quotes: UNESCO, Arne Duncan, U.S. Partnership …on Education for Sustainable Development

From what I can tell, ESD is at the top of the [global] education reform dung heap -- the big umbrella that covers all other issues (e.g., [common core] standards/outcomes, assessments, curriculum, classroom methods & processes, teacher training, etc.). 

Following are quotes from various sources -- UNESCO, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development-- about [U.N. Agenda 21's] Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) which is also referred to as "Sustainability Education." 

Debbie 

The following quote is about UNESCO's support of U.N. Agenda 21's Education for Sustainable Development (emphasis added):

"Achieving sustainable development requires a global change of mindset and behaviours. Indeed, it has long been recognized that education is crucial for achieving sustainable development. The UN Conference on the Human Environment (‘Stockholm Conference’) in 1972 emphasized education as a way of addressing human-environment problems. Agenda 21, the document adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, ‘Rio Summit’, Rio de Janeiro, 1992), emphasized the need to promote education, public awareness and training in order to assist bringing about sustainable development. In particular, Chapter 36 (Promoting education, public awareness and training) states: 'Education is critical for promoting sustainable development and improving the capacity of the people to address environment and development issues.' The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, Johannesburg, 2002) reaffirmed this commitment and recommended to the United Nations General Assembly the establishment of a United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD, 2005-2014), which clearly recognizes the increased need to integrate sustainable development issues and principles into education and learning. Thus, while education clearly is not a sufficient condition in itself for achieving sustainable development, it is certainly a necessary condition."

(Source: UN Decade Education for Sustainable Development, UNESCO website. Accessed 4.6.13. http://www.esd-world-conference-2009.org/en/background-information/desd.html )

The U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development

Integrating Sustainable Development into Education

http://www.uspartnership.org/main/view_archive/1 (accessed 4/29/13)

GOAL: The U.S. Partnership consists of individuals, organizations and institutions in the United States dedicated to education for sustainable development (ESD). It acts as a convener, catalyst, and communicator working across all sectors of American society.

VISION: Sustainable development fully integrated into education and learning in the United States. 

MISSION: Leverage the UN Decade to foster education for sustainable development in the United States.

This is what U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a letter addressed "To the attendees at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development" (Bonn, Germany, March 31, 2009):

"Let me congratulate you on the convening of the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development. President Obama and I share a great interest in your important work to promote education for sustainability." http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/internationaled/unesco-letter.pdf

Duncan's remarks at the Sustainability Summit (September 10, 2010):

Excerpt:   Through the Race to the Top and other programs, we've unleashed an avalanche of pent-up reform activity across the states and literally thousands of districts. Later today, I will announce the winners of 21 planning grants for the Promise Neighborhoods program. These nonprofits, schools, and universities will be putting education at the center of their efforts to rebuild their distressed communities. They will offer a comprehensive set of services— health screenings, parenting classes, and early learning opportunities. . . .

Excerpt:     . . . this sustainability summit marks a new milestone for the U.S. Department of Education. Until now, we've been mostly absent from the movement to educate our children to be stewards of our environment and prepare them to participate in a sustainable economy. That work is taking hold in corporations, in other agencies of the federal government, as well as colleges, universities, and schools across the country.

Excerpt:     Historically, the Department of Education hasn't been doing enough in the sustainability movement. Today, I promise you that we will be a committed partner in the national effort to build a more environmentally literate and responsible society.

Several agencies across the federal government already have made important contributions linking education and sustainability. The National Science Foundation has created a network of projects that are advancing programs that teach about the impact of climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency makes grants to support environmental education. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration supports environmental literacy through its own grant program. The Department of Labor has awarded $490 million to support job training in skills needed in green jobs. All of this money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Excerpt:     We at the Education Department are energized about joining these leaders in their commitment to preparing today's students to participate in the green economy, and to be well-educated about the science of sustainability. We must advance the sustainability movement through education.

Excerpt:     . . . At the initiative of the green team, the Department recently issued grants to five states to develop career pathways that will support the green economy. These career pathways will define the academic knowledge and vocational skills that students will need to prepare themselves for green jobs in architecture, agriculture, energy, transportation and waste management. The National Research Center for Career and Technical Education is working closely with these states and, where appropriate, with the business community to design the programs of study that will lead to success in the green industry.

(Source: The Greening of the Department of Education: Secretary Duncan's Remarks at the Sustainability Summit, 9/10/10. http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/greening-department-education-secretary-duncans-remarks-sustainability-summit )

__._,_.___