People, Planet, Prosperity Its all Connected: Education for a Sustainable World

1

People, Planet, Prosperity Its all Connected
Education for a Sustainable World Green Acre
Baháí School, September, 2006
A regional seminar held in observance of the
United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development 2005-2014
Education is the indispensable foundation of
all human excellence (Abdu'l-Baha)
2
For Bahá'ís, Bahá'u'lláh's promise that
civilization will exist on this planet for a
minimum of five thousand centuries makes it
unconscionable to ignore the long-term impact of
decisions made today.
Bahai International Community, Conservation and
Sustainable Development in the Bahá'í Faith, 1995
3

• All men have been created to carry forward an
  ever-advancing civilization Those virtues that
  befit his dignity are compassion and
  loving-kindness towards all the peoples and
  kindreds of the earth.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha'u'llah, p. 214
4
Decade Background/ History
Sustainable Development Development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their
needs. (The Brundtland Commission, 1987)
1992 Earth Summit Agenda 21 Blueprint for
Sustainable Development 40 chapters, 300 pages
5
(No Transcript)
6
2006

• Global warming
• Climbing fossil fuel prices
• Terrorism war
• Environmental refugees
• ???

7
How do we get from where we are to where we want
to be?
8
Our biggest challenge in 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, UNSG, 2001
9
(No Transcript)
10
Key Themes
Overcoming Poverty
Gender Equality
Health Promotion
Environment
11
Rural Development
Cultural Diversity
Peace Human Security
Sustainable Urbanization
12
Education for Sustainability Framework

• Imagining a better future
• Critical thinking and reflection
• Participation in decision making
• Partnerships
• Systemic Thinking

From Engaging People in Sustainability, IUCN,2004
13
Education for Sustainability some key areas of
knowledge

• Ecological Literacy
• Systems Thinking
• Multiple Perspectives
• Knowledge of Place
• Sustainable Economics
• Citizenship
• Creativity Visioning

K-12 Grade Education for Sustainability, ELR News
and Analysis, 2003
14
There are spiritual principles, or what some call
human values, by which solutions can be found for
every social problem.
The Universal House of Justice The Promise of
World Peace, p. 13
15
The Sustainability Stool
Education for Sustainable Development
Developing Systems Thinkers
Economic Principles
Social Principles
Environmental Principles
Spiritual Principles
16
Examples of Spiritual Principles related to
sustainability
Economic
Environmental
Social
Elimination of extremes of wealth and
poverty Work as worship Moderation Be content
w/little Voluntary giving Profit sharing
Interdependence of all life Nature a reflection
of the Divine Humility Earth source of all our
wealth Unity in diversity Cleanliness
Kindness to animals
Equality of women and men Elimination of all
forms of prejudice Unity in diversity Universal
compulsory education Trustworthiness
17

• Thinking for the long haul
• Are we living within the limits of our natural
  resources?
• Are we maintaining our planetary life support
  systems?
• Can we keep doing what we are doing forever?

(US Environmental Protection Agency)
Center for Sustainability and the Global
Environment, U. Wisconsin, Madison
18
the ability to achieve continuing economic
prosperity while protecting the natural systems
of the planet and providing a high quality of
life for its people.
(US Environmental Protection Agency)
19
The speed and facility with which we establish a
sustainable pattern of life will dependon the
extent to which we are willing to be
transformedinto constructive forces in the
process of creating an ever-advancing
civilization.
Bahai International Community, Conservation and
Sustainable Development in the Bahá'í Faith, 1995
20
Decade-related National Baháí Initiatives

• Brilliant Star Magazine May/June 05
• The American Baháí One Country articles
• Web resources (www.bahai.us, IEF, EBBF)
• Sustainable Development the Prosperity of
  Humankind -- Wilmette Institute online course
  (Oct 05 06)
• Conferences, workshops, seminars
• World Order Magazine issue
• U.S. Partnership for ESD

21
Blending Education for Sustainable Development
with Baháí Community Life
Study Circles
Childrens Classes
Devotionals
Baháí Center Construction Maintenance
The Fund
Feasts
LSA meetings
The Local Baháí Community
Huququllah
Families Parenting (in the home)
Firesides Public Meetings
Social Economic Development Projects
Cluster / Reflections Gatherings
Wider Community Collaboration
Service Projects