Supporting Sustainable Education Programs Benefits Youth

Minister Heads Canadian Delegation at International Education Conference

Newfoundland and Labrador played an integral role in the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, led the Canadian delegation at the international conference, which took place November 9-12 and included over 1,000 delegates from around the world.

“This conference offered our province a unique opportunity to participate in discussions with participants from over 140 countries on education for sustainable development. Education, specifically curriculum in the K to 12 system, plays a vital role in helping to achieve sustainable development and gives us the tools to teach our young people, the future world leaders, about sustainability. Equipped with this knowledge, we will be in a better position to make fundamental changes in the way people think and act and ultimately sustain our planet for generations to come.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

The Education for Sustainable Development program, offered by UNESCO, provides resources so that students have the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future. Through teaching and learning methods, students are motivated and empowered to change their behaviour and take action for sustainable development.

Minister Sullivan represented the provinces and territories of Canada at a ministerial roundtable that brought together over 70 ministers from around the world. The focus was on key issues that inform policy and identify initiatives for development with respect to education for sustainable development. Minister Sullivan also led a workshop discussion of approximately 100 people on education for sustainable development in the post-2015 era and how to make education policies that address the social, environmental and economic opportunities of the 21st century.

“Having the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest with ministers and representatives from around the globe has been very informative. For instance, during the conference I was able to meet directly with an Education Minister from Switzerland where we discussed that country's strong record in mathematics education and their teacher training programs. This information, along with the many productive and interesting discussions I had while at the conference, will be very helpful as our new department of Education and Early Childhood Development continues to focus on the complete continuum of learning, from infancy to graduation.”
- Minister Sullivan

Organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the theme of the conference, Learning Today for a Sustainable Future, was designed to celebrate the achievements in sustainable education over the past decade and set the education agenda for the future of sustainable development.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, led the Canadian Delegation at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (November 9-12).
• Over 1,000 delegates from 140 countries participated in discussions on education for sustainable development.
• Minister Sullivan represented Canada at a ministerial roundtable bringing together over 70 ministers from around the world and also led a workshop on education for sustainable development in the post-2015 era.
• To learn more about the conference, please see: //www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco-world-conference-on-esd-2014/ .

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