17 October 2019
On 11 October 2019, Belarusian State Pedagogical University hosted the Festival of Innovative ESD Practices for all, which concluded the Decade of ESD for All, timed to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University and the 5th anniversary of the Association “Education for Sustainable Development”.
Participants of the Festival were educational institutions of various types, public organizations, commercial and non-commercial organizations, national government bodies, local executive and administrative bodies, as well as other organizers of educational services aimed at ensuring environmental integrity, economic sustainability, social well-being and human resource development of local communities and regions.
Marianna Schetkina, the National Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Goals, sent a welcoming speech to the participants of the Decade: “It has already become a tradition to hold the Decade “Education for Sustainable Development” in the Republic of Belarus. This is a platform for establishing productive contacts and exchange of experience designed to promote the introduction of new forms of educational process and integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into educational programs. The importance of this event cannot be overestimated. The events of the Decade, which brought together representatives of educational institutions, government agencies, public organizations and scientific communities, are aimed at demonstrating the Belarusian initiatives on sustainable development and discussing the prospects in this process. Knowledge is a key factor in ensuring the effectiveness of the economy and security of the country, which in turn contributes to improving the quality of life of all citizens of the Republic of Belarus. That is why it is so important today to popularize and spread the ideas of sustainable development among the pedagogical and scientific community, to provide qualitatively new approaches to the system of education of young people and the formation of educational institutions. Continuous education is one of the leading mechanisms in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It is an investment in the future of the country. A special role in the processes of sustainable development is played by young people. The country has established the institution of youth ambassadors. I am sure that young people’s initiatives will find their place in innovative educational practices in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Only together can we get closer to the universal principles of solving problems that face the world community and affect each of us”.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Alexander Kadlubai, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus, Ioanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, the Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the Republic of Belarus, Rashed Mustafa Sarvar, the Rector of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank, Alexander Zhuk also made welcoming speeches. Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, also sent a welcome address to the participants of the Festival.
The following events were held as part of the Festival:
– “Youth are the leading agents of change in achieving the SDGs and implementing the Road Map of the Republic of Belarus” (Deputy Minister of Education Alexander Kadlubai);
– “Global Agenda in the categories of sustainable and responsible development” (Chairman of the Permanent Commission of the Council of the Republic of Belarus for International Affairs and National Security Sergei Rakhmanov);
– “Development as a science. A new look” (Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in the Republic of Belarus, Alexandra Solovieva);
– “Sustainable development in their own hands: nature conservation practices accessible to everyone”, by Yegor Novikov, Head of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus;
– “Ecology and us: current challenges in the Republic of Belarus and in the world” (Director of the Centre for Environmental Solutions, Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Partner Group on environmental issues, Evgeny Lobanov);
– “From idea through business to stars!” (Chairman of the Coordination Board of the UN Global Compact Network in Belarus, Director of the “Kindness” Foundation, Head of the largest contest of social projects of Belarus Social Weekend, Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Partnership Group on interaction with business Alexander Skrabovskiy);
– “Education for all or towards the achievement of SDG 4 together: the German experience” (Head of the Representative Office of the German Association of Folk Universities DVV-International in the Republic of Belarus, Galina Veremejchik);
– “Practice of monitoring the achievement of the SDGs” (coordinator of the Monitoring and Evaluation area of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Belarus)
The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development for All (ESD for All) is a space for exchange of experience for organizers of continuing education practices and experts in ESD as a leading mechanism for promoting the values of the Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals among different groups of the country’s population. The Decade “ESD for All” is held in accordance with the Action Plan of the Council on Sustainable Development for 2019-2020 within the framework of the activities of the Sustainable Development Partner Group.
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