Education for sustainable development
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation promotes education for sustainable development (ESD) and supports schools in taking a holistic approach to sustainability issues. We produce educational materials, offer teacher training workshops and participate in partnership projects to develop methods for ESD.
Who we are
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) has engaged in environmental and sustainability issues since the foundation in 1909. Today, the SSNC is Sweden's largest and most influential environmental organisation with 226 000 members and ongoing work internationally, nationally, regionally and in local communities. Our main areas of work are climate, oceans, forests, agriculture and environmental toxins. The SSNC works in partnerships with 50 organisations worldwide and participates in various networks within the EU and globally.
What we do
An important area of our work is sustainability education. Since 2011, SSNC has established as a promotor of education for sustainable development in the Swedish school system, mainly through supporting teachers and trainers. We produce educational materials and offer teacher training workshops.
The material is developed with an interdisciplinary approach. We encourage cross-curricular collaboration and reality-based learning. The material is also well suited for school projects and learning about the Global Goals for sustainable development.
Through a partnership with IKEA, we offer secondary schools an ESD-concept, consisting of exercises combined with a study visit to one of IKEA:s stores. The exercises focus on sustainable use of resources, consumption and production, and prepare the students to explore and examine the company’s sustainability practices and policies.
Why we develop educational materials
Humanity is facing great environmental challenges. It is urgent to shift to a sustainable society. The longer the shift is delayed, the greater the consequences for future generations, with more extreme weather and conflicts due to scarce resources. Education is a key factor for development, which is highlighted by Global Goal number 4: Quality Education, where target 4.7 puts an emphasis on the importance of ESD. Schools need to prepare students to be global citizens in a sustainable future. That is why the SSNC promotes education for sustainable development and supports schools in taking a holistic approach to sustainability issues.
We want to make it easier for teachers to fulfill the educational task of preparing students to live and work in a complex reality, and to actively participate in a rapidly changing society. By using our material the students are trained to critically examine facts in a large flow of information.
The integrated approach shows learners how different school subjects and all aspects of sustainable development are interrelated and how they are all parts of a larger picture. Together, we build knowledge and power to act for a sustainable future!
Keywords: whole school approach, school development, school management, future teaching, ESD.
