Learning from ESD Projects During the UN Decade in Norway

Abstract

Norway has a long history of international work with sustainable development. Politicians like Gro Harlem Brundtland and philosophers like Arne Næss have put Norway on the international map in the fields of environment and sustainable development (SD). Norway has, like other European nations supported and agreed to implement Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as outlined in the UNESCO Decade on ESD (2005–2014) (DESD). The overall framework for ESD provides schools with a clear mandate for ESD, and Norway has found an interesting mix of providing national guidance and allowing local creativity. Still, we argue that actual implementation in schools is far from mainstreamed, and that many initiatives may be considered traditional outdoor education rather than ESD. To support implementation of national goals, there is a need to establish an understanding of the broad and multifaceted content of ESD and develop a more robust and sustainable structure for ESD at the local level. Such a system should ensure that local issues of SD and the pupils’ learning become integrated with the overall objectives of both education and regional development for SD.