Resources

The Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Lens has been prepared to support UN Member States to respond to these challenges through implementation of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD, 2005- 2014). The ESD Lens supports the goals of the DESD, and encourages policy-makers and practitioners in Member States to initiate the process of re-orienting education, particularly the formal education system, towards sustainable development. The overall goal of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) is for countries to integrate the understandings, skills and values inherent in sustainable development into all aspects of national education plans to encourage changes in lifestyles and behaviour that allow for a more sustainable and just society for all. This complements existing Education for All initiatives, and strengthens the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals. Education for Sustainable Development has the potential to improve the quality and relevance of education everywhere.