Exploring the concept of sustainable development within education for sustainable development: implications for ESD research and practice

Eleni Sinakou (), Jelle Boeve- de Pauw and Peter Van Petegem
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Eleni Sinakou: University of Antwerp
Jelle Boeve- de Pauw: University of Antwerp
Peter Van Petegem: University of Antwerp

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2019, vol. 21, issue 1, No 1, 10 pages

Abstract: Abstract This paper explores how three major factors in education for sustainable development (ESD) practice view the concept of sustainable development (SD). These are (a) international policy documents which shaped ESD, (b) the academic discourse in the field of ESD and (c) students and teachers. SD is a complex concept, and it can be interpreted in several ways. This paper adopts a holistic approach to SD, according to which SD is considered an integrated concept of three dimensions, namely the environment, the economy and the society. The significance of the holistic approach to the SD concept is emphasized in the recent international policy documents and by the academic discourse, as well. However, teachers and students do not hold yet a holistic understanding of the concept. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this ESD policy–practice gap and to propose implications in ESD practice and research.

Keywords: Education for sustainable development; The concept of sustainable development; Holistic approach; Policy–practice gap (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-017-0032-8

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