International Training Program on “Education forSustainable Development in

 HigherEducation” opens at IESD

The International Training Program (ITP) on“Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Higher Education”, Phase 4 –Regional Programme in Asia was inaugurated at UNEP-Tongji Institute ofEnvironment for Sustainable Development (IESD) on 28 October 2013. This programis  in support of the ongoing UN Decadeof Education for Sustainable Development, 2005-14.

Dr. JIANG Bo,Vice President of Tongji University and Ms. Viktoria LI, Consul General of theConsulate General of Sweden in Shanghai delivered welcome remarks. Prof. WUJiang, Vice President of Tongji University, Dean of IESD and Chair of GlobalUniversities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability, provided a keynotespeech on sustainable urban development. As an expert of western architecturalhistory and theory, Prof. WU Jiang has conducted extensive research on the historyand protection of Shanghai’s modern cities and architecture. Using Shanghai asa case study, Prof. WU Jiang discussed how urban planning can be implemented ina sustainable manner, so as to achieve harmonious co-existence between environmentand society.

The ITP ESD is financed by SwedishInternational Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and is organized jointly byUNEP and NIRAS Natura AB, in partnership with IESD in Asia and RhodesUniversity in Africa. This is a one-year program, consisting of five phases.During the program, participants design and implement “Change Projects” in Educationfor Sustainable Development. Prof. Fengting LI and Dr. Ping FANG of IESD areresponsible for the mentoring of Asian participants and the organization of thefourth phase of the program in Asia.

The 2013 regional training program consistsof 30 participants and co-participants from the governmental and educationalsectors of Bangladesh, Cambodia, China and Indonesia.

In the upcoming two weeks, lectures ondifferent dimensions of sustainable development will be arranged for theparticipants. In addition, Tongji’s practices for a sustainability-orienteduniversity in education, research, community service and campus management,will be demonstrated, analyzed and discussed. These session are designed to be participatory,critical thinking and reflective.

Study trips focused on green campuspractices of Tongji University and Shanghai sustainable urban development will alsobe arranged for the participants to complement the classroom lectures.

A key goal of the regional trainingprogram, as well as the ITP as a whole, is to create a network of ESD practitioners,as well as promote South-South collaboration. Hence, in this year’s program,sessions for experience sharing have specifically included. ITP alumni from 2011and 2012, Prof. Zhou Jin of Tongji University and Mr. Zhu Zhenxu of CEEC,Ministry of Environmental Protection, will join the participants to provide anupdate on their achievements and challenges in the implementation of theirchange projects. Interested participants will also have opportunities topresent their experience of promoting education for sustainable developmentconcepts and practices in their respective organizations.

This year’s program will last for two weeksand end on Nov. 8.