Swap Burning Out For a Fire Within

Full 1

1,560

Schools

105+

Countries

29400

Educator Participants

17600

Student Participants

15,700+

Lessons and Activities

Challenges of the 21st century

The importance of devoting urgent attention to sustainable development is critical for the future of the planet and its people. According to scientists, climate change could threaten livelihoods, trigger conflicts, accelerate biodiversity loss, exacerbate disease outbreaks, destabilize political and social systems, cause economic shocks, and increase inequalities. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 ambitious objectives for a greener, healthier, more peaceful, and equal planet, agreed to by all governments, to be achieved by 2030

Education for a better world

To change course, the world needs many more of its citizens, especially the next generation, to have the knowledge, values, and skills to better navigate this uncertain future, tackle its profound challenges, and build more prosperous and resilient communities. Research shows that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a crucial tool, which not only empowers students to shape a better world, but also perform better in school.

The role of schools and educators

More than half of the population of our planet is currently under the age of 30 – the biggest generation of young people the world has ever seen. This puts educators in a truly unique position of influence to educate millions of students to overcome the greatest challenges of the 21st century and lead healthy and productive lives, in harmony with nature.

Global Schools Program

The Global Schools Program is an initiative of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network in support of UNESCO’s Global Action Program on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Global Schools develops the tools, resources and programs to support education systems around the world in shaping a more resilient and sustainable world. The vision of the program is to create a world where every primary and secondary school student is being equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for effectively responding to the greatest challenges of this century and shaping a sustainable and prosperous world for all.