WWF Romania December 2012

ESD

University course onEducation for Sustainable Development

WWF ESD Vision: Educated, motivated, and active citizens who are practicing sustainable lifestyles

WWF ESD Mission: We educate and empower youth to take action for conservation and environmental protection and live more sustainable lives.

In 2020 25,000 youth ages 8-18

in Central and Eastern Europe

are Active Citizens in the context of ESD

through WWF and Partners’ education programs.

Analysis of threats to achieving our goal:

“Environmental educators have a lack of methodology, skills and knowledge to teach Sustainable Development and Active Citizenship.”

Analysis of threats to achieving our goal:

“Environmental educators have a lack of methodology, skills and knowledge to teach Sustainable Development and Active Citizenship.”

Objective

By 2015, 400 formal and non-formal educators in target countries have received a Active Citizenship & Education for Sustainable Development course in their academic education via WWF

or have participated in an advanced WWF training on Active Citizenship & Education for Sustainable Development and are actively including them in their programs or classes.

Indicator

University course

Strategy

By 2015,

60 future teachers (university students) in Romania have received training in Active Citizenship & Education for Sustainable Development as part of their teacher preparatory course.

By 2015,

60 future teachers (university students) in Romania have received training in Active Citizenship & Education for Sustainable Development as part of their teacher preparatory course.

Implementation

First university course in Romania

on the topic of

Education for Sustainable Development

offered by

WWF Romania and

University of Bucharest

in university year 2012-2013

Partners

University of Bucharest*• Faculty of Geography • Faculty of Psychology and Educational

Sciences *Ranked best University in Romania

WWF Romania• ESD department – member of regional ESD

team

Special advertising targeted directly to our student audience

Special advertising targeted directly to our student audience

Course objectives

Familiarize students with Education for Sustainable Development: concept, analysis perspectives, principles, implications

Implement and develop specific methods and techniques of Education for Sustainable Development

Develop a positive attitude towards the interdisciplinary and systemic vision of Education for Sustainable Development

Transfer specific skills Education for Sustainable Development to practice

When? Who? Where?

• Optional course for the 1st semester

• 40 students of 2nd and 3rd year from the faculties of Geography and Educational Sciences, preparing to become educators

• Inside the University and outdoors, on field trips

METHODS

„Interactive teaching“

„Participation“

„Field trips“

„Peer to Peer“

„Learning by doing“

METHODS

„Interactive teaching“

„Participation“

„Field trips“

„Peer to Peer“

„Learning by doing“

Course structure 3 partners = 3 segments = 3 professors

1st segment – Geography professorIntroduction to Sustainable Development

2nd segment – WWF Romania ESD coordinatorPrinciples and practice of Education for Sustainable

Development

3rd segment – professor of Educational SciencesStrategies and methods in teaching Education for

Sustainable Development

Field trip organized by WWFWhy?

students know ESD best practice programs & practice ESD methods with pupils involved in respective programs

Where?

Sighisoara

When?

23-24.11.2012

How?student- and pupil-run workshops

dialogue and exchange between students, pupils and experts from various organizations working on Sustainable Development

changing roles with the professor and the pupils

every student has a role in the field trip ex. facilitation, feedback, photo, documentation

practice teamwork & participation

practice analytical and critical thinking: self reflection

Challenging traditional roles . Dialogue between high school and university students

Field trip feedback (1)What I learned

Students ……Know two ESD projects, Schools for a living planet and

Navinatur…Understand the importance of the student-centered

approach and of student participation (empowering students).

…Learn, experience and practice specific ESD methods ex. Community mapping, energizing and team-building games –

…Understand the local community and the importance of adapting the educational program to local needds

…Experience and appreciate teamwork and cooperation with various stakeholders - students, NGOs, educational institutions

Practical work with non-formal education methods was much appreciated.

Practical work with non-formal education methods was much appreciated.

Pupils and students exchanged knowledge

and games

Pupils and students exchanged knowledge

and games

Field trip feedback (2)What I liked best

…Practical applications and energizing games

…The content. Examples of ESD best practice projects

…The opportunity to practice ESD and have direct experience with pupils involved in ESD

…Teamwork, collaboration with colleagues at the same university and to another faculty

… Programs offered by local partners: theater play and Sighisoara old city tour

… The atmosphere

Students’ positive reactions to the field trip reinforce the importance of experiential learning in ESD, both as a student or a future educator

To be continued…

For information, please contact WWF Romania Catalina Murariu, cmurariu@wwfdcp.ro