Environmental Philosophy, Education and Sustainable Development Nexus
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Date
2007
Authors
Ndaruga, Ayub Macharia
Kerich, Richard
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
School of Environmental Studies and Human Sciences, Kenyatta University
Abstract
Since the United Nations Conference on Human Environment, of 1972,
governments have made it a policy to integrate sustainable development
concerns in national agenda at all levels. The universities globally have responded
by creating diverse courses focusing on various aspects of sustainable development
using both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. The education for
sustainable develop mentis a relatively recent concept and not all educators and
programmes. have embraced it adequately. It is however important to note that all
courses have the potential to address sustainable development issues. It is therefore
crucialthat all learning institutions make deliberate efforts to mainstream education
forsustainable development in all their activities.
The international community has made tremendous efforts to address emergent
environmental challenges. Conferences held by experts and governments have
called for greater innovations and investment of more resources in sustainable
development activities and education. Conferences such as Stockholm, Belgrade,
Tbilisi,Rio and the recent Johannesburg Summit represent deliberate and focused
advances to address global environmental crises. Following the diverse deliberations
and recommendations from various conferences, the decade between 2005-2014
has been identified as the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (DESD). This decade is dedicated to recognition of the valuable
role of education in developing sustainable societies. The decade is intended to
champion the re-orientation of all education toward sustainable development. This
impliesthat sustainability thinking be streamlined in all activities and at all levels of
decision-making in learning institutions.
Description
Book Chapter