For a quarter of a century, the Eco-Schools programme has been engaging young people in taking positive actions that transform their lives. From its modest beginnings in a few European countries, the programme has expanded to effect change in some 59,000 schools in 68 countries across the globe. Recognised by UNESCO and UN Environment as a world-leader within the fields of Environmental Education (EE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), the Eco- Schools programme is not just an economic model to lower costs, it is also a humanistic model that places the students and stakeholders at the centre of a process of change towards sustainability, connecting them to the real issues in their communities.
The publication
This publication is dedicated to the teachers who are at the forefront of providing children with the most stimulating experiences possible: it is they who have built this programme. Though their role is envisaged as facilitators, it takes many hours to glean the necessary experience owing to all the challenges that our education systems are faced with. It is their belief that the programme is built on sound principles of education and their commitment that has created the Eco-Schools we see today.
“Eco-Schools are a strong and credible partner for UNESCO. They work on the ground, every day, to make ESD a reality for students worldwide. With its over 59,000 schools in 68 countries, and a strong network of National Operators, the Eco-Schools programme provides quality ESD at a large scale. For five years, the Foundation of Environmental Education and its Eco-Schools programme have been one of the most active Key Partners of UNESCO’s Global Action Programme on ESD (2015-2019). At UNESCO, we look forward to continue working with the Eco-Schools programme as we move beyond the Global Action Programme into a new ESD framework that will strive to accelerate the transformational change that is needed across the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Alexander Leicht, Chief, Section of ESD, Education Sector, UNESCO
“The programme changed my perspective on things that I once turned a blind eye to and it widened my view, enabling me to think outside of the box rather than just stay in my comfort zone. The Eco-Schools programme taught me that despite having different beliefs, different dreams, different races and just being different in general, we humans are still living on ONE planet with ONE mother nature. Throughout my four years of being in this programme, I also realised that changes are possible and it is up to us to help make our world a better place so that our future generations could have a chance to live in a world filled with the wonders of mother nature.”