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2007

Eva Ärlemalm-Hagsér and Anette Sandberg

Mälardalen UniversityDepartment of Social Science

Attitudes, values and pedagogic praxis -

sustainable development in focus

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2007

Students’ apprehension about the concept

sustainable development and analyzing pedagogic

praxis

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2007

• Brundtland Commission report Our common future (1987) “Sustainable development is development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

• Declaration on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, Agenda 21, economic, social and ecological dimensions

• Johannesburg 2002, plan of implementation economic, social and ecological dimensions • In December 2002 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014.

Sustainable development

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Children not only will inherit the responsibility of looking after the Earth, but in many developing countries they comprise nearly half the population. Furthermore, children in both developing and industrialized countries are highly vulnerable to the effects of environmental degradation. They are also highly aware supporters of environmental thinking. The specific interests of children need to be taken fully into account in the participatory process on environment and development in order to safeguard the future sustainability of any actions taken to improve the environment.

(Agenda 21, 1991, chapter 25)

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Education as an important agent and key role was identified – inspire belief that it’s possible to change, action competence, foster values, behaviour and lifestyles, learning democratic processes, future oriented thinking. (Draft UNECE strategy for education for sustainable development, 2004)

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criticized as a normative approach

different understanding of the concept

political issue

Sustainable development an ambiguous concept

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To foster citizens who can actively participate in democratic discussions regarding and develop ability to critically appraise environmental and developmental problems.

(Sundell, Öhman & Östman, 2005)

Education for sustainable development (ESD)

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• Knowledge of environmental problems and sustainable development• Environmental ethical values • Educational philosophy and teaching skills

(Sandell, Öhman & Östman, 2005)

• As a an ethical project• Building a culture• Children’s individual sustainability.

(Björneloo, 2007)

Teachers understanding

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MethodSubjects

32 students studying half the time and the rest of their time they work within 30 different preschools in 5 average Swedish municipalities

Empirical dataWritten degree project activities for sustainable development (spring 2007)

Analysisfour steps of repeated categorizations based on a latent content analysis approach (Graneheim & Lundman, 2003)

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The participants defined the concept of sustainable development as both conscious thinking and attitude for both children and preschool staff, now and in the future, international and national, in everyday life. It is about the relationship between people, but also about the relationship between people and nature.

Results

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Themes Fundame

ntal

values

Nature Learning Physical

needs

Categorie

s

Children’s

views

Outdoor play Development

al pedagogic

Physical play

Social

relations

The cycle of

nature

Play Health

promotion

Gender

equality

Seasonal

changes

Pedagogic

documentati

on

Nutrition

and food

Cultural

diversity

Animals and

Plants

Children as

co-

researchersCultivation and gardening

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• Holistic approach permeated in all situations and activities.

• Environmental issue and describe different activities in and with the nature and natural science.

• Democratic issue were human rights, democracy, gender equality, moral and ethic was on the agenda.

• A minority of the preschools had never heard about the concept.

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• Everybody can agree because no one wishes an unsustainable development

• Panacea for safeguarding the human existence

• Multi-faceted topic that requires special features of methods and alternative paths of learning

Tricky concept

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To permeate ESD in teaching (children and students) as an essential parts of everyday activities and practices involves some serious thought about:

• Attitudes and values - the basis for assertions, opinions, ethical discernment and ideas needs to be elucidated

• Environmental ethical values, choice of content and educational philosophy and re - structuring didactical arrangements

• Active citizenship demands critical thinking and possibilities to listen to a range of arguments and different opinions and to decide on standpoints and on further action as well as participation and political literacy

Conclusion

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2007