People, Planet, Prosperity – It’s all Connected: Education for a Sustainable World

1. People, Planet, Prosperity – It’s all Connected: Education for a Sustainable World Green Acre Bahá’í School, September, 2006 A regional seminar held in observance of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014 “Education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence” (Abdu'l-Baha)

2. “For Bahá'ís, Bahá'u'lláh's promise that civilization will exist on this planet for a minimum of five thousand centuries makes it unconscionable to ignore the long-term impact of decisions made today.” Baha’i International Community, Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Bahá'í Faith, 1995

3. All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization… Those virtues that befit his dignity are… compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 214

4. Decade Background/ History… Sustainable Development= Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. (The Brundtland Commission, 1987) 1992 Earth Summit Agenda 21:“Blueprint for Sustainable Development” 40 chapters, 300 pages

5. Background/ History cont’d 27% coral reefs Seriously threatened (up from 10%) Extinctions on the rise 2.8 billion living on < $2/day) 1.1 billion lack clean water 2002 (10 years after Rio): Declining indicators 6 million children died from hunger In 10 years Greenhouse gas emissions up 9% Growing gap between rich & poor

6. …2006 • Global warming • Climbing fossil fuel prices • Terrorism & war • Environmental refugees • …???

7. How do we get from where we are to where we want to be…?

8. “Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract -- sustainable development -- and turn it into a reality for all the world's people.” Kofi Annan, UNSG, 2001

9. Action Areas: • Provide basic education; • Reorient existing education; • Promote public understanding and awareness; • Train the workforce

10. Key Themes… Overcoming Poverty Gender Equality Health Promotion Environment

11. Key Themes (cont’d)… Rural Development Cultural Diversity Peace & Human Security Sustainable Urbanization

12. Education for Sustainability Framework • Imagining a better future • Critical thinking and reflection • Participation in decision making • Partnerships • Systemic Thinking From Engaging People in Sustainability, IUCN,2004

13. Education for Sustainability – some key areas of knowledge • Ecological Literacy • Systems Thinking • Multiple Perspectives • Knowledge of Place • Sustainable Economics • Citizenship • Creativity & Visioning K-12 Grade Education for Sustainability, ELR News and Analysis, 2003

14. There are spiritual principles, or what some call human values, by which solutions can be found for every social problem. The Universal House of Justice: The Promise of World Peace, p. 13

15. The Sustainability “Stool” Education for Sustainable Development Developing Systems Thinkers Economic Principles Social Principles Environmental Principles Spiritual Principles

16. Examples of Spiritual Principles related to sustainability Economic Environmental Social Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty Work as worship Moderation Be content w/little Voluntary giving Profit sharing Interdependence of all life Nature a reflection of the Divine Humility – Earth source of all our wealth Unity in diversity Cleanliness Kindness to animals Equality of women and men Elimination of all forms of prejudice Unity in diversity Universal compulsory education Trustworthiness

17. The Challenge of Sustainability? • Thinking for the long haul • Are we living within the limits of our natural resources? • Are we maintaining our planetary life support systems? • Can we keep doing what we are doing forever? (US Environmental Protection Agency) Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, U. Wisconsin, Madison

18. Sustainability is… “… the ability to achieve continuing economic prosperity while protecting the natural systems of the planet and providing a high quality of life for its people.” (US Environmental Protection Agency)

19. …The speed and facility with which we establish a sustainable pattern of life will depend…on the extent to which we are willing to be transformed…into constructive forces in the process of creating an ever-advancing civilization.” Baha’i International Community, Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Bahá'í Faith, 1995

20. Decade-related National Bahá’í Initiatives: • Brilliant Star Magazine May/June ’05 • The American Bahá’í & One Country articles • Web resources (www.bahai.us, IEF, EBBF) • Sustainable Development & the Prosperity of Humankind -- Wilmette Institute online course (Oct ’05 & ‘06) • Conferences, workshops, seminars • World Order Magazine issue • U.S. Partnership for ESD

21. Blending Education for Sustainable Development with Bahá’í Community Life… Study Circles Children’s Classes Devotionals Bahá’í Center Construction & Maintenance The Fund Feasts The Local Bahá’í Community LSA meetings Huququ’llah Families & Parenting (in the home) Firesides & Public Meetings Social & Economic Development Projects Cluster / Reflections Gatherings Wider Community Collaboration Service Projects