The sixth meeting of the Steering Committee on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 7-8 April 2011, to discuss its contribution to Rio+20 and the links between ESD and the green economy.
18 April 2011: The sixth meeting of the Steering Committee on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 7-8 April 2011, setting the groundwork for the implementation of the UNECE Strategy for ESD for 2005–2015. The meeting was featured in the 18-22 April 2011 issue of the newsletter, “UNECE Weekly.”
According to the newsletter, the Steering Committee adopted its workplan for the next phase of the Strategy, focusing on the implementation of coordination and capacity-building activities. Coordination will be supported and strengthened between governmental departments of education and the environment, as well as between NGOs and departments of education and the environment, the newsletter said.
In addition, the Committee explored possibilities for creating synergies with other international sustainable development processes. The panel discussion “Taking stock and looking forward – ESD in the context of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)” looked at the role of ESD in greening the economy. The discussion identified key issues for the transition to a green economy, such as awareness raising, public participation, sustainable consumption, and re-skilling the labor force. [Publication: UNECE Weekly] [Meeting Website]