Sustainable Development and Education and Training

Summary:

The European Union (EU) adopted the Strategy for Sustainable Development in 2001, with a special emphasis on the crucial role of education as a prerequisite for the promotion of sustainable development. The EU embraced the new Europe 2020 strategy in 2010 (EC, 2010) in an effort to encourage not only smart and inclusive growth across its member states, but also sustainable growth. Building on this EU-wide commitment to a sustainable future, the European Training Foundation (ETF) promotes sustainable development as a fundamental principle in its activities in partner countries. The ETF responds to the need for transnational dialogue and exchange of expertise in the development of the skills needed to benefit from the economic opportunities that come with the transformation to a green economy and to meet the challenges of climate change.

This paper examines why and how education policies can make a fundamental contribution toward a more sustainable future. Education policies must promote critical reflection, interdisciplinary learning and innovation in order to support students in their transition to active citizenship. Access to valid training or retraining for individuals is crucial if we are to exploit the full potential of the green transformation for economic growth, employment creation and poverty reduction. Learning opportunities and knowledge sharing are essential stepping stones for businesses wishing to transform environmental regulations and customer demands into sustainable services and products. Relevant skills and experiences must be promoted and disseminated in order for appropriate climate change mitigation strategies to be put into place.

Within education systems, Vocational Education and Training (VET) have a particularly close link with the world of work. VET systems need to support their students not only in becoming active citizens but also in acting responsibly and sustainably in their future workplaces. The world of work will change significantly as a result of the need to reduce the ecological footprint of economies. VET systems need to anticipate and respond to changes in the labour market and in the skills profiles needed for successful careers in low-carbon economies.

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