The World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, organized by UNESCO jointly with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, was held virtually on May 17-19, 2021, under the theme : “Learn for our Planet. Act for Sustainability”.
The Conference focused on the major challenges facing the world, including the accelerating pace of climate change, limited resources, rising temperatures, and pollution. It also highlighted the crucial role of education as a key enabler for the successful achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Conference aimed at supporting efforts to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to contribute to a more sustainable world. It also sought to create momentum for the new framework “Education for Sustainable Development: Towards Achieving the SDGs” (ESD for 2030), launched by UNESCO to strengthen ESD’s contribution to the achievement of the 17 SDGs, with focus on policies, learning environments, teachers and educators, youth, as well as communities.
The Conference came out with the “Berlin Declaration”, which reaffirmed policy commitment to ESD and highlighted its crucial role in facing current global challenges.
The Conference was attended by approximately 2500 participants, including 81 Education Ministers, ESD practitioners, NGO representatives, experts, members of the development community, and other relevant stakeholders.
Ms. Afifa Zayadi, ALECSO representative to UNESCO, took part in this global conference.
