【Introduction】
HESD (Higher Education for Sustainable Development) is the network of universities aiming at implementing ESD at the higher education level through the exchange of information and experiences. The first HESD forum was held in Morioka in 2007. It was hosted by Iwate University, and representatives of 16 universities participated (including Rikkyo University). Information on ESD practices at each university was shared. HESD 2008 is hosted by Rikkyo University (organised by ESDRC) consisting of three programmes: a) ESD seminar@ECO-PRODUCTS2008, b) HESD Open Forum2008, and c) HESD International Symposium.
【Programme】
Moderator: Osamu Abe (ESDRC, Rikkyo University)
1. Session 1: Presentations on ESD practices by the participants
2. Session 2-1: Institutionalising ESD into curriculum
Chair: Haruhiko Tanaka (ESDRC, Rikkyo University)
Presenters:
Prof. Shinnosuke Tama (Iwate University)
“The Challenges to the Development of ESD Programme at the Undergraduate Level”
Panellists:
Prof. Osamu Kobayashi (Ehime University)
“ESD Leadership Training in the General Education Curriculum at Ehime University”
Prof. Hiroshi Kito (Sophia University)
“Education for Environmental Literacy: Leadership Training Towards Sustainable Society”
3. Session 2-2: Networking
Chair: Toshiya Hashimoto (ESDRC, Rikkyo University)
Presenters:
Ms. Eri Nakajima (Ministry of Environment):
“Consortium for Environmental Human Resource Development through Collaboration among Industry, Government, and Academia”
Panellists:
Prof. Kazuyuki Mikami (Miyagi University of Education):
“Networking by the Initiative of Teachers College”
Osamu Abe (Rikkyo University / ESDRC): “Networking by the Initiative of ESDRC”
4. Plenary Session
Chair: Osamu Abe (ESDRC, Rikkyo University)
【Report】
1. Session 1: Presentations on ESD practices by the participants
The list of presenters:
Hokkaido University of Education at Kushiro / Hokkaido University / Iwate University / Rikkyo University / Sophia University / Keisen University / Musashi Institute of Technology / Toyohashi University of Technology / Toyama National College of Institute / Toyama Prefectural University / Ritsumeikan University / Osaka Institute of Technology / Kinki University / Kobe University / Okayama University / Ehime University / Tokushima University / Nishinippon Institute of Technology
2. Session 2-1: Institutionalising ESD into curriculum
Presentation:
Prof. Shinnosuke Tama (Iwate University)
“The Challenges to the Development of ESD Programme at the Undergraduate Level”
The reconstruction of the undergraduate programmes and ESD cannot be discussed separately. The universities are required to keep the high quality of undergraduate education. OECD has defined that the key competencies required include the life skills such as communication, team working and problem solving ability. Their goals are closely related to the characteristics of ESD such as critical thinking and ethics. These are also related to the content of the final report of the Central Education Council in 2005. It says that the 21st century citizens should be qualified with the general education and expertise. Iwate University thinks that the image of the 21st century citizens should be accepted as what the undergraduate programmes wish to produce. Based on this idea, Iwate University is designing the general education curriculum and institutionalising an ESD sub-course. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary approach to study the relation between the curriculum and the development of sustainable society is required.
Panel Discussion:
The reconstruction of the undergraduate programme and institutionalisation of ESD curriculum should be based on the clear vision of 21st century citizens. We ourselves have to make it clear based on the common idea that 21st century citizens needs to be equipped with the general education, understanding of the global as well as the local issues. and the sense of ethics.
To institutionalise ESD curriculum, we have the difficulty in building consensus within the university and understanding the concept of ESD. The activity at Sophia University was one of the case of this kind and they use the environmental literacy instead of using the word “ESD”. The balance between the top-down and the bottom-up approaches in designing ESD curriculum is very important.
3. Session 2-2: Networking
Presentation:
Ms. Eri Nakajima (Ministry of the Environment) introduced ELIAS (Environmental Leadership Initiatives for Asian Sustainability) and “Environmental Human Resource Development Consortium (as tentative name)” involving industry, government, and higher education institutes. The role of universities is to educate the students to be the citizens with interdisciplinary knowledge and expertise. There are a variety of ways for organisations and individuals to participate in this consortium, as full and suporting members for example.
【Panel Discussion】 【Participants】
Panel Discussion:
Prof. Kazuyuki Mikami (Miyagi University of Education) introduced a network based on RCE Sendai. Miyagi University of Education has linked major sectors in the community to build the supporting system for elementary and junior high schools teachers in collaboration with the education board. The University has also encouraged elementary and junior high schools in Miyagi prefecture to register as UNESCO school. Twenty-two schools have been accredited as UNESCO school as of today.
Prof. Osamu Abe (Rikkyo University) introduced networks made under the initiative of ESDRC domestically and internationally. He also pointed out the need of increasing jobs (e.g., coordinator, facilitator etc) for ESD graduates.
4. Plenary Session:
Chair: Osamu Abe (ESDRC, Rikkyo University)
Prof. Osamu Abe proposed to establish and strengthen the HESD network. For the HESD in 2009, which is to be hosted by Okayama University, the preparation committee was organised. To implement ESD at the higher education level, it is important to connect the existing groups and individuals under the banner of ESD. The collaborative events such as the Sustainability Week by Hokkaido University and the Environmental Week by Iwate University are good examples, as they can facilitate collaboration among universities nationwide. |
