Two researchers of the HIERD, Dr. Attila Varga and Ms. Mónika Réti took part in the writing of the publication titled Schooling for Sustainable Development in Europe. Many professional blogs approve of the book, which has also been reviewed by the New York Times. It will be available in all countries of the world.
UNESCO has launched its Decade of Education for Sustainable Development between 2005 and 2014: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-sustainable-development/ An objective of the project was to take steps towards education for sustainable development at all levels in all education systems of the world, as a horizontal priority.
The editors mandated by Springer have significant theoretical and practical expertise in the field of education for sustainable development. Reiner Mathar, expert of the Hessen State Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts and Rolf Jucker, visiting fellow at several universities and director of Swiss Foundation for Environmental Education, both started their careers as teachers. Thus, they have put into practice the principles of sustainable development education as practicing teachers, yet by their subsequent professional career; they were able to see these endeavours on a global level.
Leading experts of their fields were asked by the editors to contribute to the book with chapters on topics related to general, transnational questions of sustainable development (such as the protection of cultural heritage, the operation of schools as communities, the importance of social learning). These are complemented by some chapters presenting the valuable practice of some European countries, which give insight into the challenges sustainable development education has to tackle, and the results of the UNESCO decade initiative. The 13 examples include Hungary: its network of ecoschools, and the related aspirations of building up a system provide a valuable insight. Two of the four authors of the chapter are our colleagues from the HIERD: Dr. Attila Varga and Ms. Mónika Réti. Their work meant a stimulating professional challenge: they had to present the happenings of the last decade in a systematic way which would be understandable for an international audience, and this project also enabled them to think together with the internationally most recognised experts of the field.
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