ESDNET Blog

The Economist has been hosting a series of extremely interesting debates.

The first focused on technology and education, the second on university recruiting, and the third and final debate is on social networking.The third debate in the series started January 15th:

“Social Networking: does it bring positive change to education?”

Have your say!

Do you know the world wide peace initiative launched by AFS formerly know as American Field Service? It is a global network with activities in five continents, each year giving 12.000 young people an opportunity to experience a different culture by going to school in a far away country, while staying with a local host family.

A peace petition was launched in April 2007 in the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo/Norway. AFS aims at collecting no less than 1 million signatures in a period of one year. The list will be handed over to Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations. They have reached the half way mark and count 350.000 signatures, a fantastic result, but not enough. So they are making an extra effort to boost our petition!

This is a worth while initiative, with which they hope to spread a symbolic message in the year 2008, the Year of Intercultural Dialogue (as announced by the European Union).

Every supporter of this initiative should send an email to the secretary general and ask for the petition: paul.claes@afs.org

 To all ESD-NET members:

This blog could be much better and more attractive if we had nice pictures to add with the postings.

If you have pictures of the workshop we had in August or any picture that you want to share with us.

Please, email them to me.

Thanks.

Bart Cornille

This is what the ESD-Net claimes educators should have…

KNOWLEDGE

 -  Environmental science-  Indigenous practices-  Globalization-  Concept of ESD-  Complexity, interdependence-  Humanities-  Biology-  Cultural diversity-  Inter-relationship among sustainable development issues-  Economic, political, social issues-  Gender disparities and the benefits of equality 

VALUES

-  Respect-  Love and caring -  Cultural/moral values-  Selflessness-  Respect for others-  Compassion-  Sympathy/empathy-  Sense of responsibility-  Economic/consumer values-  Simplicity-  Respect for the environment-  Peace/ harmony/ moderation-  Commitment-  Sufficiency: lack of greed 

SKILLS

 -  Living together in harmony-  Independence-  Skills to teach ESD-  Ability to infuse ESD to various subjects-  Communication-  Negotiable leadership-  Pedagogical strategies for ESD-  Interpersonal and managerial skill-  Creativity  -  Lives sustainable development by example (e.g., turns off the air conditioner and lights when leaving the classroom).

 The 21st September was the International Day of Peace, all around the world people recognized to continue working towards peace.

If you want to see what activities took place on that day, visit www.cultureofpeace.org , you can also sign the petition in support of youth exchange programs www.exchanges4peace.org

Did you do something special on the International Day of Peace?

HAVE YOUR SAY!

1. How do you suggest we start our ESD NET community of practice online? (Choose one option only)

• An userfriendly blog that activates the ESD NET online?
• An interactive website to discuss and share ideas, findings?
• A CMS software to share documents, presentations, pictures etc?

2. Would a newsletter be something we should start via the ESD NET, in addition to one of the options above?

• Yes
• No

3. At what frequency would you like to receive an ESD NET newsletter?

• 14 days
• 1 month
• 2 month

PLEASE, PROVIDE US WITH FEEDBACK VIA THIS BLOG! THANKS! (See below in red font)