<p><font color="#33711E"><strong>Strategic Workshop: Situational Analysis of ESD in Asia-Pacific </strong></font></p>
UNESCO Bangkok
Bangkok (Thailand)
19 – 20 August 2004
This workshop was convened by UNESCO Bangkok as a forum for research consultants representing the five sub-regions (Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Asia and the Pacific) and UNESCO’s ESD team to discuss and refine the specifics of the operational methodology for the situational analysis. The workshop consisted of three sessions. The first allowed participants to identify core ESD themes relevant to the countries in their sub-region. The second session provided consultants the opportunity to identify major goals of the first few years of the ESD Decade and also the challenges to achieving these goals. During the final session of the workshop, existing surveys and resources that could be reviewed in conducting the situational analysis were identified.
Ten core issues for ESD in Asia-Pacific were identified as being particularly relevant. These are:
- Information and Awareness (eco-media, media literacy, ICT)
- Knowledge Systems (learning from local and indigenous knowledge; integrating traditional and modern technology)
- Environmental Protection and Management (biodiversity, climate change, natural resources, conservation)
- Peace and Equity (conflict resolution, peace, equity, appropriate development, democracy)
- Local Context (community development, empowerment)
- Transformation (rural transformation, urbanization, sustainable habitat, water, sanitation and other public infrastructure)
- Culture (diversity and intercultural understanding)
- Cross Cutting Issues and Themes (human rights, citizenship, gender equality, sustainable futures, holistic approach, innovation, transdisciplinarity, partnerships, sustainable production and consumption, governance)
- Health (HIV/AIDS, malaria)
- Environmental Education