Scool Agenda 21

Abstract

Education for sustainable development (BSD) represents an integral part of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development in Lithuania. A pilot project "School Agenda 21" was carried out to develop, implement and analyse the possible models of ESD at the school level. Experts and advanced practitioners were invited te develop the guidelines and supportive materials as well as to organize workshops and consultations for school teams. School Agenda 21 includes: integration of sustainable development/real life issues into school curriculum; actions to promote changes of personal lifestyle and solving community problems; improvement of the school management and external relations. Action-Research methodology was used to investigate the implementation of innovative actions at the school. The project results clearly demonstrate that ESD contributes significantly to the quality education in general. School Agenda 21 stimulates changes of entire school culture by joining various educational tasks and offering attractive opportunities for creativity and self-expression both of students and teachers. Quality criteria regarding schooldevelopment were formulated based on the project experience. Currently, the national ESD teacher-training programme has been started and ESD Competence Network was established including education and sustainable development research units, municipal teacher in-service training centres and Agenda 21-schools as demonstration centres.