Education for sustainable development

Based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (Sustainable Development Goals; abbreviated as SDGs) of the United Nations and the Sustainability Strategy In the city of Bochum, the goal is to empower all students to think and act in a forward-looking and sustainable manner by 2030. As a holistic educational concept within the “school” learning environment, ESD integrates sustainability into everyday school life, enabling the entire school community to focus on a future- and sustainability-oriented school culture. It addresses topics such as democracy education, participation, and climate and environmental protection. Based on the “Whole-School Approach"This approach provides impetus for sustainable school and instructional development. The goal is to involve everyone at a school in the development and design of the shared learning space in order to integrate sustainability into all areas of school life and learning."

The Regional Education Office actively supports Bochum’s schools in implementing this initiative: Through the targeted networking of schools with ESD stakeholders, as well as the municipal coordination of state-level ESD programs and ESD pilot projects, ESD is being promoted as an educational concept for the “school” as a learning environment.

ESD becomes evident in schools when …

  • sustainability is reflected in the school's mission statement and educational philosophy.

  • Sustainability issues (including climate change, resource conservation, social justice, etc.) are incorporated into the curricula and addressed in the classroom.

  • ESD projects and initiatives on various sustainability topics (e.g., litter cleanup campaigns, school gardens, or energy-saving projects) are implemented.

  • the school administration is guided by the principles of sustainability.

  • a school culture is fostered that reinforces values such as democracy, peace, and social cohesion and promotes collaboration with out-of-school ESD learning sites.

Contact information

Address: Universitätsstr. 43-49, 44789 Bochum

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in schools?

ESD in schools represents a holistic educational approach that involves everyone in the school community (students, parents, teachers, etc.) and empowers them to embrace forward-thinking and sustainable ways of thinking and acting in their everyday school life.

Why is ESD important?

ESD promotes understanding of global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and social injustice, and helps develop sustainable solutions. Everyone involved in a school plays a role in responsibly shaping a future-oriented and sustainable environment.

What skills does ESD teach?

ESD fosters forward-looking decision-making skills that empower individuals to lead sustainable lifestyles based on personal responsibility. This involves both learning and practicing the ability to understand the impact of one’s own actions on the environment in order to make responsible and sustainable decisions now and in the future.

Skills such as systemic thinking and collaborative decision-making make it possible to take social, economic, and cultural contexts into account simultaneously when making sustainable decisions.

How is ESD implemented in schools?

ESD is implemented through the “Whole School Approach” (WSA), a holistic approach to school and instructional development in schools of all types. The WSA aims to integrate sustainability into all areas of school life and to actively involve the entire school community in decision-making and development processes.

The goal is to develop a forward-looking learning environment—"school"—that fosters interactive and participatory processes and raises awareness of a sustainability-oriented culture of teaching and learning within the school community.

The implementation of ESD in schools is supported by collaboration between schools and key ESD stakeholders at the local and state levels:

  • Bochum Regional Education Office

  • BNE Regional Center, City of Bochum (Bochum Zoo)

  • Regional, out-of-school ESD education providers

  • ESD Agency NRW

What ESD programs and projects are currently underway in Bochum?

  • "School of the Future" Certification Program, ESD Agency NRW

  • State Program “ESD: Landscapes of the Future,” Quality and Support Agency – State Institute for Schools (QUA-LiS NRW)

  • "Earth Choir Kids" Choir Project, Else Hirsch School