Guidebook on education for sustainable development for educators: effective teaching and learning in teacher education institutions in Africa

The themes, case studies, learning activities and references offered in this Guidebook demonstrate how education for sustainable development can effectively shape teacher education curricula and programmes. Sustainability is considered as an integrating context for curriculum and institution wide practices in teacher education. Themes such as society, environment, economy and culture are treated as interconnected pillars of sustainable development. Articulating education for sustainable development in teacher education and curricula enables educators, teachers and learners to fully develop the knowledge, perspectives, values, attitudes and skills required to participate in decision making processes for improved quality of life locally and globally.

This Guidebook is a continuation of efforts made by UNESCO and its partners during the UN Decade for Sustainable Development (2004-2014) to re-orient education for sustainability. It will support implementation of the Global Action Programme (GAP) on education for sustainable development and SDG4. Teacher educators and teachers are key players in empowering learners as agents of ecological, economic, political, cultural and social transformations.