Sustainable Development Education Panel
Towards a Language of Sustainable Development
APPENIX G - Project Brief
SDEP 4 - EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - IDENTIFYING A RELEVANT LANGUAGE
SPECIFICATION
Definition:
Education for Sustainable Development is about the learning needed to
maintain and improve our quality of life and the quality of life for generations
to come. It is about equipping individuals, communities, groups, businesses
and government to live and act sustainably; as well as giving them an
understanding of the environmental, social and economic issues involved.
[SDEP Interim Report]
Introduction:
It is vital that we identify the learning relevant to individuals, households,
businesses and institutions as is implicit throughout the Learning Age.
The creative use of language will be necessary if we are to communicate
effectively with each audience. The term sustainable development is not
well understood and is not 'user-friendly'. The real challenge is to make
sustainable development relevant to the experience of people from all
backgrounds and to engage them in making all aspects of their own lives
and those of their community more sustainable. [SDEP Interim Report].
Background:
The Sustainable Development Education Panel was established in February
1998. Its terms of reference, membership and Interim Report are attached.
One of the key issues the Panel has identified thus far is the importance
of language in communicating sustainable development in a way that is
relevant to a wide variety of audiences but at the same time coherent.
Objective:
To identify a coherent language for sustainable development that is relevant
to a wide-range of individuals and bodies.
Process:
Stage One: review the existing research as follows:
DETR
Children and Environmental Action (MORI survey June 1993)Other
The Environment, Attitudes, Motivations and Behaviours' research
commissioned from Quadrangle, 1996
Sustainable Development qualitative work conducted by Andrew Irving
Associates prior to the launch of the SD consultation) December 1997
Report of the first phase of tracking on the 'Are You Doing Your Bit?' campaign
April 1998
Report on ACBE Focus groups 1998
Report of Climate Change Campaign commissioned from AMV/BBDO 1998
Report of tracking DETR Global warming Advertising conducted by COI/GRSB
April 1998
1993 and 1996 surveys of public attitudes to the environment
Michael Jacobs Work conducted at Lancaster University and the LSE BT/Henley Centre Young Eyes, updated study of children's vision of the future environment.
Work carried out by Stephen Stirling on "Good Earth Keeping"
Work carried out by others, including the Council for Environmental Education, the Development
Education Association, the Education for Sustainability Panel and UNED-UK.
Stage Two: conduct research to identify ~ coherent overarching language for sustainable development.
Stage Three: conduct research to identify relevant language for the following:
- individuals
- families
- communities
- institutions
- voluntary groups
- business/industry
- regional networks
- consumers
Outputs: a formal report to the Sustainable Development Education Panel seeking out the process and conclusions of the study and also making recommendations on the use of a coherent, but relevant, language overall, and for the specific groups above.
Timescale:
| November 1998 | Appointment of Consultants - Initial Briefing with SDEP Steering Group |
| December 1998 | Interim Report drawing on stage one |
| January 1399 | Briefing with SDEP Steering Group |
| March 1999 | Briefing with SDEP Steering Group |
| May 1999 | Final Briefing with SDEP Steering Group Final Report |
Page published 12 May
2000;
Page last modified
20 August, 2002