Choose the Future Education for Sustainable Development November 26–28, 2008 Winnipeg, Canada Conference Report
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Choose the Future Education for Sustainable Development November 26–28, 2008 Winnipeg, Canada Conference Report Prepared by Robin Gislason, Carolee Buckler and Heather Creech Creating, Supporting & Fostering a Culture of Sustainable Development in Manitoba Choose the Future Education for Sustainable Development November 26–28, 2008,Winnipeg, Canada Conference Report Prepared by Robin Gislason, Carolee Buckler and Heather Creech Creating, Supporting & Fostering a Culture of Sustainable ChooseDevelopment the Future – Education for Sustainable Development – in Manitoba Conference Report November 26–28, 2008, Winnipeg, Canada i © 2009 Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Working Group and the International Institute for Sustainable Development Published by MESDWG and IISD The Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Working Group brings together stakeholders from the formal, non-formal and informal education sectors in an effort to further develop, communicate and promote ESD in Manitoba. It was established in 2005 by Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth, Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy, Environment Canada and Learning for a Sustainable Future. Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Working Group Secretariat Manitoba, Education, Citizenship and Youth and Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy 300-800 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3G 0N4 Tel: 204-945-1924 Fax: 204-945-1792 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.mesdwg.ca The International Institute for Sustainable Development contributes to sustainable development by advancing policy recommendations on international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change, measurement and assess- ment, and natural resources management. Through the Internet, we report on international negotiations and share knowledge gained through collaborative projects with global partners, resulting in more rigorous research, capacity building in developing countries and better dialogue between North and South. IISD’s vision is better living for all—sustainably; its mission is to champion innovation, enabling societies to live sus- tainably. IISD is registered as a charitable organization in Canada and has 501(c)(3) status in the United States. IISD receives core operating support from the Government of Canada, provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Environment Canada; and from the Province of Manitoba. The institute receives project funding from numerous governments inside and outside Canada, United Nations agencies, foundations and the private sector. International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3B 0Y4 Tel: +1 (204) 958-7700 Fax: +1 (204) 958-7710 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.iisd.org Conference Report: Choose the Future – Education for Sustainable Development. November 26–28, 2008, Winnipeg, Canada Prepared by Robin Gislason, Carolee Buckler and Heather Creech Prepared with the support of the Province of Manitoba. Choose the Future – Education for Sustainable Development – Conference Report ii November 26–28, 2008, Winnipeg, Canada Acknowledgements The “Choose the Future: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Conference” would not have been possible without the support of partners who shared our commitment to improving ESD outcomes: Diamond Level Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth Manitoba Hydro Platinum Level Manitoba Conservation (Sustainable Development Innovations Fund) Gold Level Ducks Unlimited Canada Monsanto Canada Science Teachers Association of Manitoba Canadian Commission for UNESCO Silver Level Assiniboine Credit Union The Manitoba Association of School Trustees Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Genome Prairie Bronze Level Nutrients for Life CBC News at Six Special thanks also go out to the volunteer Rapporteurs and Rapporteur Team Lead for their hard work in creating this report. Rapporteur Team Lead: Robin Gislason Rapporteur Volunteers: Laura Normand, Jessica Kotierk, Linda Chow, Crista MacDonald, Michael Moreau, David Rubinger, Jane Orihel and Michelle Hamilton Choose the Future – Education for Sustainable Development – Conference Report November 26–28, 2008, Winnipeg, Canada iii Foreword Dr.Rick Wishart, Chair of the Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Working Group (MESDWG) This document provides comprehensive proceedings for “Choose the Future,”the first major conference on education for sustainable development (ESD) held in Canada. The conference was a Manitoba Education for Sustainable Development Working Group (MESDWG) project, with assistance and support from a broad array of community partners and sponsors. Sustainable development (SD) is a difficult concept because it requires systems thinking and the integration of con- siderations about economic, environmental and social factors. The most commonly accepted definition of sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.There have been many challenges to broadly incorporate SD standards into the formulation of government policies, business practices and individual behaviours. To achieve the necessary changes, it was recognized by the United Nations (UN) and member governments that an effective strategy for delivering ESD at all levels of soci- ety was needed. The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development was initiated in 2005 to establish this as a pri- ority for the planet. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the lead organization for the Decade, stated that ESD is a process of learning how to make decisions that consider the long-term future of the economy, ecology and equity of all communities; a key task for education is building this capacity. The MESDWG was estab- lished in 2005 to advance the objectives of the Decade in Manitoba. The MESDWG took on the role of providing a focal point for stakeholders from business, government, academia and the not-for-profit sector, to work together to create a culture of ESD in Manitoba. Representatives of the MESDWG, as well as those from other provincial and territorial working groups, sit on the National Education for Sustainable Development Expert Council (NESDEC). NESDEC is Canada’s ESD umbrella group, with funding provided by Environment Canada, and Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) acting as secretariat. The “Choose the Future” conference was a priority of the MESDWG for several reasons. First, it provided an oppor- tunity to introduce educators from the formal school system, as well as educators from all other sectors, to sustain- able development (SD) and the importance of including SD as a central education theme for Manitobans. To further this goal, the Science Teachers Association of Manitoba (STAM) was enlisted as a partner in organizing the confer- ence, and the dates for the conference were selected to coincide with an established province-wide professional devel- opment opportunity for all teachers. Second, the Working Group wanted to establish a benchmark for ESD in Manitoba so that progress in establishing ESD as a provincial priority could be measured over the remainder of the Decade and beyond. Finally we wanted to have the conference act as a showcase for the many innovative ESD proj- ects and programs contemplated or already taking place. The proceedings for “Choose the Future” were prepared by IISD, the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Sincere thanks to Robin Gislason, Carolee Buckler and Heather Creech of IISD for leading this project, as well as the talented team of university students they recruited to act as conference rapporteurs. The proceedings will act as a valuable legacy of the conference. It, along with the abstracts and PowerPoint presenta- tions for the concurrent session speakers, will be housed on the MESDWG Web site at www.mesdwg.ca. Those in Manitoba and beyond, who may organize future ESD conferences, and those wishing to review the “state of the art” of ESD will find these resources useful. Richard A. Wishart Ph.D. Chair, MESDWG Winnipeg, Manitoba Documents related to the event can be found at www.mesdwg.ca/events_hom.html Choose the Future – Education for Sustainable Development – Conference Report iv November 26–28, 2008, Winnipeg, Canada Executive Summary The “Choose the Future: Education for Sustainable Development Conference” was held in Winnipeg, Canada, November 26–28, 2008. This international conference was planned for everyone who understands that education is required to sustain our future. “Choose the Future” stands as a major contribution to Canadian activities supporting the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005–2014). This was a unique forum on the knowledge and actions needed to achieve economic goals, just social systems and a healthy environment. The conference was designed for several audiences: first, for educators who wished to embed the principles and practices of sustainable development in their teaching and program planning; and second, for leaders in business, NGOs and government who wished to engage their employees and stakeholders in sustainable practices and operations. On the evening of November 26, polar explorer Lonnie Dupre set the stage for the conference with his video presen- tation on Arctic Change at the Imax Theatre. The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, president