Latest developments regarding the draft UNECE Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development European ECO-FORUM News Digest, No 85, October 2004
Unfortunately, during the 11th Session of the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy (CEP) ( 15 October 2004 , Geneva ) the UNECE draft Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) was not endorsed as it was expected to happen. The United States blocked the decision on endorsement of the Strategy.
The history of the Strategy in brief
The draft Strategy was developed following the decision of the Kiev-2003 Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe ". The 10 th Session of UNECE CEP, (October 2003) established a Task Force on ESD , co-chaired by Sweden and the Russian Federation . The Task Force prepared a Draft ESD Strategy for endorsement at the 11 th Session of CEP (October 2004) and further adoption at the High Level meeting of the UNECE member states' Ministers of Environment and Ministers of Education, which is currently scheduled for 18 March 2005 . The whole process of the Strategy development was very inclusive and transparent. It demonstrated good cooperation of the two sectors of environment and education in the spirit of the WSSD partnerships at the level of: Ministries, Agencies, international organisations, educators and NGOs in the whole region ( UNECE Region includes 55 countries of Europe, Central Asia and the Northern America ). About 35 countries participated in the Task Force meetings and many others sent their comments to the text. European ECO-Forum (a network of more than 200 Environmental Citizens' Organisations throughout Europe ) was actively involved at all stages. UNESCO also very much welcomed the Strategy and promoted it already in Asia-Pacific region!
The UNECE Strategy was expected to be a major contribution to the launch of the UN Decade on ESD, starting in 2005.
At the 11 th session of the UNECE CEP
During the 11 th Session of UNECE CEP the Strategy was presented by the Chair ( Sweden ) and UNECE majority of member states warmly welcomed the document, expressing their satisfaction and willingness to endorse it. Furthermore, Germany , Czech Republic and several others highlighted that even having being quite sceptical about a possible success of such cross-sectoral document a year ago, they recognize now that this is a great success and a very good, balanced and progressive framework document, which they will be happy to endorse. However, delegation of the United States of America informed the CEP delegates that being not in favour of the Strategy already at the moment when the process started, they now strongly object to its endorsement. The US did not agree to the endorsement of the Strategy with the US reservation. However, the US delegate said that they will not oppose to the decision to hold a high level meeting on ESD in March 2005, while will not participate in it. The position of the United Stated was extremely disappointing for a great number of delegates, including those from Governments, IGO and NGOs. Many attempts were made to reach the consensus during 2 days, almost by the end of the CEP session. US also insisted on the decision that this work should not be financed from the regular basis and would be supported only by voluntary contributions of the interested countries. The delegates supported the Netherlands ' proposal and agreed that the work should be financed from extra-budgetary resources; this decision will be reviewed in a one year time at the next CEP session. At the end, Sweden re-confirmed its commitment to work on the UNECE ESD Strategy and to continue leading the process.
The 11 th CEP thanked the Task Force for finalizing its work in developing the draft UNECE Strategy for ESD, which is supported by most countries. The CEP decided to convene a High-Level Meeting of Environment and Education Ministries (or other equivalent national body responsible for education) on 18 March 2005 as a follow-up of the fifth "Environment for Europe" Conference in Kiev . The CEP decided to forward the draft UNECE Strategy to the High-level meeting for final consideration. Sweden informed that it is prepared to co-chair the meeting together with the Russian Federation . The meeting, in coordination with UNESCO, will launch the UN Decade of ESD in the UNECE region. It was agreed that framework for implementation of the Strategy will be further discussed at the High-Level meeting on 18 March 2005 .
(EUROPEAN ECO-FORUM NEWS DIGEST No 85, October 2004)
For further information contact: Ms Victoria Elias, ECO-Forum CB Chair and Education Issue Group coordinator, e-mail: velias@mail.ru
