The Leading Edge of Teacher Education and ESD

Teacher education institutions (TEIs) that are pioneers and leaders in education for sustainable development (ESD) have advanced the field through efforts in programmes, practices, and policies during the United Nations Decade of ESD. An international survey of TEIs by the UNESCO Chair on Reorienting Teacher Education to Address Sustainability at York University revealed strategies used to advance ESD included incorporating ESD into existing coursework and creating new classes as well as certificate and degree programmes. Internal and external review processes ensure ESD remains embedded in teacher-education programmes. The greatest challenges to TEIs during the DESD were lack of awareness of ESD and lack of financial and human resources. Recommendations for the post-Decade Global Action Programme on ESD include creating guidelines for ESD materials development and evaluation, addressing the aforementioned challenges, and building on the experiences and expertise of the ESD pioneers to scale-up ESD in TEIs internationally.