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Highlights on DESD Progress

 

 

UNESCO'S Commitment to DESD

UNESCO'S Responses to UN Resolutions 57/254, 58/219 & 59/237

  • An International Implementation Scheme for the DESD was prepared through consultation with other United Nations Agencies, international organizations, governments, NGOs, universities, individuals and the private sector. It was presented at the 59th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (New York, September-October 2004). It was on the agenda of the UNESCO Executive Board in April 2005, which made some recommendations. The draft was further discussed and approved at the UNESCO Executive Board session in September 2005.
    UNESCO has also started preparing an outline for a UNESCO Action Plan for its own contribution for the DESD.
  • A document on linkages between the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD), Education For All (EFA) and the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), was developed by the Division for Promotion of Quality Education, the Bureau of Strategic Planning and the Division of Basic Education. The purpose of this document is to clarify UNESCO’s relationship with the educational processes already in existence, which is one of the key tasks requested of UNESCO in the Resolution. A brochure entitled “Links between the Global Initiatives in Education”, gives an overview of the similarities and differences among the four initiatives and includes suggestions for mutual support and collaboration.


Koïchiro Matsuura, DG UNESCODESD High Level PanelUNESCO's Director-General, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, convened in a High-Level Panel on the DESD, to provide guidance and advice to UNESCO on the DESD. It is composed of leading experts in the field: Dr Akito Arima, Senator and Former Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan; Prof. Alpha Omar Konaré, President of the Commission of the African Union and former President of the Republic of Mali; Mr Carl Lindberg, former Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kingdom of Sweden and Mr Steven Rockefeller, Chairman of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
UNESCO'S Leadership and Coordination Role for the DESDUNESCO’s role as lead of the DESD is in line with UNESCO’s functions as a laboratory of ideas, standard-setter, clearing house, capacity-builder and promoter of international cooperation. UNESCO will be proactive, and the Organization will work together to demonstrate leadership and coordination at an international level to ensure efficiency and success in the Decade. The Organization will use its DESD coordination role to:

  • catalyze new partnerships with the private sector, youth, and media groups;
  • encourage monitoring and evaluation;
  • encourage a research agenda and serve as a forum for relevant research on ESD;
  • serve as forum for bringing together important stakeholders in the Decade such as: representatives of key multinationals, faith-based institutions, youth associations, indigenous people, etc.;
  • share good ESD practices;
  • link Member States that have put in place ESD curricula, policies, research, etc., with those Member States that are requesting help;
  • convene flexible working groups on particular topics; and
  • fulfill its strategic role with regard to ESD.

Key milestones
The Decade is a commitment that will be implemented by Member States according to their priorities and approaches. It also represents a common understanding, as outlined in the relevant GA resolutions, to work towards common goals and objectives. Thus, it is important that some common milestones are identified that can be addressed by all actors. These include:

  • clearly identifiable plans and/or activities in place in Member States;
  • identification of focal points in Member States with reporting responsibilities;
  • regional plans or strategies. These may also be present at subregional levels;
  • indicators of progress and mechanisms for monitoring their achievement;
  • identified sources for technical assistance and examples of good practice;
  • information sharing on relevant research, development and innovation;
  • modalities for fostering partnerships;
  • provision of guidance in key areas;- mid-Decade and end-of-Decade reports to the GA.


Table of Contents:
1. UNESCO'S Commitment to DESD
2. Launches of the Decade and Regional Strategies
3. Highlights, Challenges and Upcoming Events
4. Communication, Information and Publications