<p><font color="#33711E"><strong>Asia-Pacific Multi-agency Consultation: ESD</strong></font></p>
UNESCO-UNEP
Bangkok (Thailand)
14 – 15 June 2004
There were three objectives of this consultation: to foster the sharing of information on regional ESD programmes and policies; to serve as a forum for a discussion of the draft International Implementation Scheme (IIS) for the DESD; and, to initiate discussions regarding a coordinated regional implementation strategy for the Decade. Presentations were made by twelve participants, representing national governments, research institutes (universities), NGOs and international organizations (including UNESCO Bangkok and other UN agencies). The presentations outlined their ESD strategies. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of the cultural dimension of Sustainable Development (SD) and discussed possible strategies and methods to better coordinate efforts to achieve maximum success.
Multi-stakeholder cooperation and the forging of new partnerships at many different levels is a crucial component to the success of the Decade. A key aspect of partnerships and networking will be the regular and systematic exchange of experience and information with regard to ESD. It was established that a regional alliance or network will be essential in sharing information and supporting the coordination of the regional implementation of the DESD. The possibility of the Task Force on the DESD, as a collaborative effort between UNESCO and UNEP, within the frame work of the Asia-Pacific Regional Inter-Agency Thematic Working Group of Environment and Development (TWGED) was also discussed. It was proposed that this regional alliance would take a holistic approach to promotion and implementation of the Decade and involve research, networking, community empowerment, advocacy and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
The Final Report of the Asia-Pacific Multi-agency Consultation: ESD is available from HERE.