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Leadership Statement

Sustainable Development

The evidence base is overwhelming that a sustainable development approach to meeting individual needs is essential to the survival of the planet. Action to achieve such an approach is required now! Educationalists have a duty, through the taught curriculum and the sustainable management of the school estate to provide present and future generations with the knowledge, understanding and skills to manage the world's resources sustainably.

Today’s sustainable schools work towards a broader set of objectives than those previously envisaged for schools by society. Students need to realize their full potential within a culture which promotes achievement within a sustainable framework. All leaders, managers, teachers and support staff in schools must strive to enable every member of the school and its wider community to contribute to a sustainable future. Effective leadership for an education for sustainable development in schools is the key ingredient for all our sustainable futures.

We need as a society to live within environmental limits respecting the planet’s environment, resource and biodiversity and maintaining this for future generations. We also must meet the needs of all people in present and future communities by promoting their well being, creating opportunity for all and providing a socially cohesive environment in which to flourish. To achieve this we need to provide a sustainable economy in which efficient resource use is central and ensure prosperity and opportunity for all.

Declaration Of The United Nations Conference On The Human Environment (1972)

Rio Declaration (1992) Principle 21

"The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to forge a global partnership in order to achieve sustainable development and ensure a better future for all."

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan - 20 December 2001

"Progress towards the goals established at Rio has been slower than anticipated and in some respects conditions are worse than they were ten years ago. But with strong political will, practical steps, and strong partnerships, several key hurdles that have caused the rather uneven results in the implementation of sustainable development can be overcome."

United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2004

The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development pursues a global vision:

"The vision of education for sustainable development is a world where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from quality education and learn the values, behaviour and lifestyles required for a sustainable future and for positive societal transformation."

[http://www.bcca.org/ief/Final_IIS_04102004_1.doc ]

National Curriculum England 1999

The school curriculum should develop pupils awareness and understanding of, and respect for, the environments in which they live, and secure their commitment to sustainable development at a personal, local, national and global level.

"We have theorised about sustainable development in education for long enough.
We need to embrace sustainable development across the education system so that best practice becomes common practice."

Charles Clarke. 2003. DFES Sustainable Development Action Plan