The Seminar was presided over by H.E. Mr. Tep Ngorn, Second Vice President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Mr. Nguon Nhel, First Vice President of the National Assembly and Mr. Phililippe Delanghe, Acting Director of UNESCO in Phnom Penh. In the welcome address made by Mr. Phillippe Delanghe, he defined Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a dynamic and extensive undertaking that envisions a world where one has a chance to benefit from education and to learn the lifestyle, behaviour and values necessary to create a sustainable future. ESD also engages multiple sectors of society including media and the private sector.

He also pointed out that UNESCO has a dual role in relation to ESD. The first is to implement ESD at international, regional and country levels and it also accelerates education reforms and coordinates all related activities; whereas the second role is to act as a lead agency to promote the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) for the year 2005 - 2014.

H.E. Mr. Tep Ngorn mentioned in his opening remark that Cambodia has the obligation to keep up with the global trend that is currently focusing on sustainable development. Sustainable development is supported by three pillars:

1-Economic Development,

2-Social Development, and

3-Environmental Protection.

He also pointed out that education plays a very significant role in the promotion of ESD.

Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Derek Elias, Programme Specialist from UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Office, Bangkok
• H.E. Mr. Ung Hourt, Acting Chairman of the Commission on Economic, Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Meteorology, Rural Development and Environment of the Senate
• Dr. Supote Prasertsri, Former UNESCO's Education Program Specialist
• Mr. Sou Sovouth, Director of the Education and Media Department of the Ministry of Environment
• Dr. Di Samsideth, National Education Program Officer of UNESCO

Participants

• Members of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia
• Members of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia
• Senior Officials and Officials of the Secretariat General of the Senate
• Representative from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
• Ministry of Industry
• Ministry of Environment
• Representative from Konrad Adenauer Foundation
• Representative from UNESCO
• Representative from the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

Resources:

Workshop report (pdf, 2.7mb)