Learning for Sustainability Scotland recently published a Policy Briefing for the next Scottish Parliament on transforming learning for a just and sustainable world.
Learning for Sustainability Scotland is Scotland’s United Nations (UN) University-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development, and is part of a global family of 200 Centres. As a network organisation of more than 1,100 members, with an elected steering group, they bring people together to advance sustainability issues and outcomes in Scotland. They work in partnership with educators, learners, communities and policy-makers to weave and embed sustainability across every aspect of learning. Learning for Sustainability Scotland also lead projects, produce key resources and advocate for policy to support Learning for Sustainability.
Learners of all ages require the knowledge, skills, values and agency necessary to address interconnected global and local sustainability challenges. These include climate change, loss of biodiversity, poverty, unsustainable resource use, inequality, and wider social and environmental injustices. This approach to learning is active and participatory. It responds to real-world complexity; developing skills such as critical, systems and futures thinking, reflection, collaboration, and action. It also cultivates values such as solidarity, inclusion, compassion and care.