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Exploring the concept of sustainable development within education for sustainable development: implications for ESD research and practice

Author

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  • Eleni Sinakou

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Jelle Boeve-de Pauw

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Peter Van Petegem

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

This paper explores how three major factors in education for sustainable development (ESD) practice view the concept of sustainable development (SD). These are (a) international policy documents which shaped ESD, (b) the academic discourse in the field of ESD and (c) students and teachers. SD is a complex concept, and it can be interpreted in several ways. This paper adopts a holistic approach to SD, according to which SD is considered an integrated concept of three dimensions, namely the environment, the economy and the society. The significance of the holistic approach to the SD concept is emphasized in the recent international policy documents and by the academic discourse, as well. However, teachers and students do not hold yet a holistic understanding of the concept. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this ESD policy–practice gap and to propose implications in ESD practice and research.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleni Sinakou & Jelle Boeve-de Pauw & Peter Van Petegem, 2019. "Exploring the concept of sustainable development within education for sustainable development: implications for ESD research and practice," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:21:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-017-0032-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-017-0032-8
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    1. Hiroko Oe & Yasuyuki Yamaoka & Hiroko Ochiai, 2022. "A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Julia Lohmann & Jennifer Breithecker & Ulrike Ohl & Petra Gieß-Stüber & Hans Peter Brandl-Bredenbeck, 2021. "Teachers’ Professional Action Competence in Education for Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review from the Perspective of Physical Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Eliyawati & Ari Widodo & Ida Kaniawati & Hiroki Fujii, 2023. "The Development and Validation of an Instrument for Assessing Science Teacher Competency to Teach ESD," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Karin Skill & Cecilia Axell & Per Gyberg, 2022. "Facts, Values and Perspectives on Sustainable Development in Free Teaching Materials in Sweden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, September.
    5. Elena Širá & Roman Vavrek & Ivana Kravčáková Vozárová & Rastislav Kotulič, 2020. "Knowledge Economy Indicators and Their Impact on the Sustainable Competitiveness of the EU Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, May.
    6. Hsien-Ming Chou & Cheng-Wen Lee & Tsai-Lun Cho, 2022. "The Incorporation of Service-Learning into a Management Course: A Case Study of a Charity Thrift Store," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
    7. Jiaqi Li & Xiangdong Wang & Xiuhua Liang & Xiaolan Song & Li Pan & Linhe Lu, 2024. "Water as a Key Focus Point for Developing Education for Sustainable Development: Content Analysis Based on Curriculum Standards," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-24, December.
    8. Rumpa Roy & Hesham El Marsafawy, 2021. "Bridging Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Circular Flow of Interaction among the University, Industry, and People," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-25, April.
    9. Diego Bonilla-Jurado & Ember Zumba & Araceli Lucio-Quintana & Carlos Yerbabuena-Torres & Andrea Ramírez-Casco & Cesar Guevara, 2024. "Advancing University Education: Exploring the Benefits of Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-27, September.
    10. Michiel van Harskamp & Marie-Christine P. J. Knippels & Wouter R. van Joolingen, 2021. "Secondary Science Teachers’ Views on Environmental Citizenship in The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    11. Diego Queiroz Machado & Fátima Regina Ney Matos & Rafael Fernandes Mesquita, 2022. "Relations between innovation management and organisational sustainability: a case study in a Brazilian higher education institution," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(9), pages 11127-11152, September.
    12. María Delfina Luna-Krauletz & Luis Gibran Juárez-Hernández & Ricardo Clark-Tapia & Shafía Teresa Súcar-Súccar & Cecilia Alfonso-Corrado, 2021. "Environmental Education for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: Design of an Instrument for Its Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-11, June.
    13. Juan Abello-Romero & Claudio Mancilla & Walter Sáez & Francisco Ganga-Contreras & Ivette Durán-Seguel, 2023. "Sustainable Development and Corporate Sustainability of Chilean State Universities: Evidence from Their Strategic Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    14. Eleni Sinakou & Vincent Donche & Jelle Boeve-de Pauw & Peter Van Petegem, 2019. "Designing Powerful Learning Environments in Education for Sustainable Development: A Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-23, October.
    15. Zhenwen Liu & Hsi-Chi Yang & Yan-Chyuan Shiau, 2020. "Investigation on Evaluation Framework of Elementary School Teaching Materials for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.

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