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Embedding sustainable development in the curriculum
www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3397
“Our biggest challenge this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract – sustainable development – and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people’’
(Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary General, 2001)
A sustainable society is one that at a local and global level is just, equitable and living within the environmental limits of our planet, both now and in the future. In the FHE sector we need to take an abstract idea and turn it into reality in a wide range of contexts and disciplines. Every single course provided in our sector can embed this through a combination of skills, knowledge and attitudes.
If you were asked by a student or Ofsted ‘What are you doing to embed sustainable development in what you teach?’ how would you respond?
[Institution name] has set up an ESD Working Group to support measures to ‘green the curriculum’. In order to facilitate this we need to know what is currently happening in your curriculum area. That is why we are asking each Curriculum Manager to carry out an audit. We are aware of the pressures on your time but it is vital that we have a clear understanding of our current performance standards. This is because:
• Integrating sustainable development is an Ofsted requirement
• The college is committed to improving its performance on sustainable development issues
• The move to a low carbon economy will require all course programmes to review how relevant skills and knowledge are embedded.
Completing the questions in this audit should not take very long. This information will then be used during the CPD days on [insert dates]. The information provided will also be essential to planning curriculum support during 2010-11.
For more information, please visit
www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3397
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