Workshop Partners

Objective of the Workshop

To discuss ways to influence policy planners and development practitioners to integrate alternative strategies of sustainable development into mainstream development processes.

Framework

The workshop discussed the development of innovative approaches for Sustainable Development in terms of

• Programmes, practices and policies
• Process of refining, modeling, testing and then mainstreaming these approaches
• Integration of knowledge of these approaches at every level of society
• Involve decision makers, policy planners, practitioners, students and the community

The need for Education for a Sustainable Future

The workshop focused on awareness and educational processes and linkages that promote sustainable decision making at all levels of society, keeping in view the fact that Education for Sustainable Development is a dynamic concept that aims to empower through provision of knowledge, skills, perspectives and values to all potential decision makers.

Resources

The workshop drew on the knowledge, expertise and core participation of CEE's Environment and Sustainable Development Forum, an expert group comprising authors and experts in a variety of fields of natural resource management who have developed and practiced innovative and sustainable development approaches in their respective fields.

Agenda

The workshop examined case studies, analysed learnings and suggested processes by which sustainable development programmes, policies and practices can be made widely acceptable . The workshop looked at the linkages needed to take knowledge and skills into formal and informal education with special emphasis on decision makers and policy planners as well as practitioners.

The papers were presented under the broad themes of:

• Water Management- The Gender Perspective
• Agro-ecosystems
• Indian Medical Heritage
• Water Resource Management
• Coastal resources Management
• Industry and Environment

The presentations were followed by discussions on the potential and scope for Education & Communication in various sectors. The presentations tried to identify the present status, key stakeholders and target groups and capacity building needs, touched upon best practices and suggested strategies for that particular sector.

Issues discussed

• The content and purpose of education in improving the capacity of the people to address Environment & Development issues
• Sustainable Development is as much modeled as taught, (demonstration/ dissemination)- Section 3.2 of environmental perspectives
• Spaces for learning – Methods, demonstration and opportunities for learning.

Strategies for sustainable policy and practice for Natural Resource Management

Education programmes should be evolved to build resource literacy, in politicians and other power structures. It should be combined with networks of education at military, political and religious level.

A. i. Suggested Strategies for sustainability

• educational resource material in local language
• multimedia facilities for distance learning
• documentation and sharing of experience through internet.
• providing technology and management support service through IT facilities
• reduce pollution, improve microbial activity
• ground water recharge, reduction of nutrient loss, self supporting ability of soil
• conserving medicinal plants
• efficient commercialization strategies for economically important plants
• recognition of local health traditions
• need for serious intercultural dialogue
• resource literacy is a pre-condition for informed participation and resource regulation.
• putting together relevant information in the public domain

ii. Strategies for Cleaner Production

• Identify key economically important and environmentally critical industry sectors
• Identify hazardous substances and processes that need to be phased out
• Identify international linkages in terms of treaties/conventions signed
• Commission studies, initiate technology transfer programs to develop options that are technically viable and economically achievable.
• Identify training, financing and policy related needs
• Introduce regulations for phase outs with clear targets and enforce phase-outs

iii. ESD Strategies for Educational Institutions

• Training and demonstration of organic input production, soil improvements and water saving and seed testing.
• Demonstration of good practices of restoring vegetation.
• Experimentation and training for low cost establishment and sustainable productivity enhancement
• models such as ‘University- Pollution Control Board' can be adapted in the field of education.

B. Outcomes

• creating conducive social environment for improved management of natural resource management
• Mapping and database building with participation of youth, teachers, scientific associates and neighbourhood community.
• Data collection on land, water, biomass resources and energy availability.
• Water and input use in agriculture and productivity evaluation.

C. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Sustainability assessment, looking for indicators of degradation, erosion, etc.
• Measurement, monitoring of biomass stock observing indications of depletion.
• Maintaining peoples bio diversity register.
• Status of food security and nutrition.
• Study of energy needs according to end uses.
• Energy availability and consumption from local renewable sources and external energy from electricity grid and fossil fuel.

Click here to view the concept paper that formed the basis for the workshop discussions...