MEdIES was happy to facilitate a successful Training on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) that was organized by the EU-funded SWIM-Horizon 2020 Support Mechanism, on 12-13 November 2017, in Algiers, Algeria, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.

Algeria has already set up an inter-ministerial committee (Ministries of Education, Environment and Water) to draft a National Strategy for Sustainable Development until 2030. Within this Strategy, education, and specifically ESD plays a key role through targeted programmes (on topics like water, wastes, and green economy) and through cultivating the much needed "2^nd generation life skills" in students. In this respect, in the next two years (2017-2018) an extended capacity building for teachers will take place (pre-service, in service, and for special audiences). Let’s not forget that the country has about 12.000 green clubs for a total of 9 million students, so the impact of any nationwide intervention will be immense.

The training aimed to raise awareness and contribute to building the capacity of Algerian teachers and administration staff on the design and implementation of ESD programmes. It focused on showcasing how educational projects about e.g. the “sustainable institution” or the use of non-conventional water can be designed and applied in various work-environments (schools, universities, offices, etc).

The training introduced the Mediterranean Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (MSESD) and explored how its recently adopted Action Plan could be effectively applied in country. The training combined presentations, group-work and experience sharing, while the participants were provided with educational materials and other ESD resources so as to enhance their competences on how to design and deliver ESD.

In total, 39 formal and non-formal educators and administrators took part, including primary and secondary school teachers, staff of relevant Ministries (Environment, Water and Education) as well as Civil Society Organizations. The training will help the trainees in using sound ESD methodologies and in integrating the sustainability culture in their institutions (in management, synergies with the local society, teaching content, and infrastructure).

EVALUATION STATISTICS

The evaluation statistics are summarized as follows:

Most of the participants valued learning about of SD and ESD concepts (knowledge) as well as improving their capacities in designing their own ESD projects (skills). They stressed their satisfaction on being informed of Mediterranean wide initiatives and stakeholders (i.e. SWIM H2020 SM, MIO-ECSDE, MEdIES), the sustainable institution approach, as well as the demonstrated hands-on resources on non conventional water. Many declared they would convey the training content to their colleagues, offices, their work with students, in the press etc.

As expected, group work and interactive sessions were considered the most interesting parts of the training, while many of the trainees requested to set setting up a specific follow up platform to monitor their ESD work as a result of this training.

The trainees are now registered and interconnected through the MEdIES network.

USEFUL DOWNLADS

- Download all the PRESENTATIONS (PPT) here.

- Mediterranean Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (MSESD) in three languages (English, French and Arabic).

- Action Plan to the MSESD in English and French language.

- Learning Objectives for Achieving the SDGs (in ENGLISH, UNESCO, 2017).

View Snapshots of the Event: