Plenary Session 3: Education and Sustainable Development – Two Sides of the Same Coin?

27 June, 9:30 a.m., Plenary Chamber
Hosted by Deutsche Welle

Its aim is to convey sustainable thought and action to children, youngsters and adults alike, enabling them to make decisions that impact the future in accordance with a global canon of values. That involves being able to gauge how one’s own actions affect future generations or other parts of the planet. A global summit on education for sustainable development was held in Bonn in 2009, marking the beginning of the second half of the UN decade.

“We regard education as the essential element for development in all areas,” said a representative of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, presenting Germany’s new education strategy to the United Nations in the summer of 2011. “Only when people receive a sound education do they have the chance to take control of their own destinies, make decisions and bring about change. Thus the sustainable and successful development of a country depends very much on a functioning, high-quality education system with fair access for all.”

What role do UNESCO, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the OECD, IPU and other important international and regional organizations have in the implementation of education strategies which can help toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals? How can approaches that include early learning, primary and secondary education, vocational training and adult education be most effectively put into practice? Does, for example, the business sector place sufficient weight on sustainability as part of the curriculum to train and qualify employees? How do formal and informal methods of learning and teaching contribute to achieving sustainable development? Should education be placed at the center of development policy and how should media approach the topic of education for sustainable development?

Moderation:

Czymoch, Conny
Moderator, Journalist, TV-Host, Germany

Panelists:

Schattschneider, Dirk
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Bonn, Germany

Boos, Jürgen
CEO, Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany

Falcone, Cristiana
Senior Advisor to the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, USA

Goldberg, Denis
Social Activist, Founding Director and President, Community H.E.A.R.T., Cape Town, South Africa

Pogge, Prof. Thomas
Professor of Philosophy and International Affairs, Yale University, USA.