Overview:
The increasing socio-economic and environmental challenges are reshaping all sectors, with education being pivotal in fostering a sustainable future. To address this, UNESCO introduced Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), an interdisciplinary learning approach that equips students with the values, knowledge, and skills necessary to tackle local and global issues. In addition, higher education institutions are moving towards integrating sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the curricula as they help students understand global challenges and promote a cohesive approach to sustainability.
Nevertheless, integrating ESD into curricula faces several obstacles, such as insufficient detailed guidance for its implementation in educational settings, resistance to change, and limited financial resources. Therefore, there is a pressing need for comprehensive guidance on implementing ESD, particularly within higher education contexts.
Objectives:
The learning outcomes of this presentation are:
• Understand Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and its importance in higher education
• Analyse the nine-stage framework for embedding ESD in higher education
• Apply the ESD framework in a module at the Westminster Business School
• Examine learning activities, assessment and training opportunities to support the implementation of ESD
Speakers and bio:
• Dr. Gustavo R. Espinoza-Ramos – Senior lecturer at the School of Management and Marketing (Westminster Business School). @tavoer8 and LinkedIn
o Gustavo undertook a PhD at the University of Westminster that focused on developing social partnerships between private companies and civil society in the Peruvian mining industry. His research interests are pedagogy, active learning, business sustainability, and social partnerships. He has been the co-module leader of Sustainable City Economies and the module leader of Strategic Perspectives for Marketing at the School of Management and Marketing. Gustavo has extensive experience in giving presentations and writing book chapters and blogs about teaching and learning in higher education.
• Amanda Capucci Polzin – Lecturer at the School of Management and Marketing (Westminster Business School). LinkedIn
o Amanda has been lecturing at the School of Management and Marketing at the University of Westminster since 2021. She has completed her Master of Science in International Development and Management also from the University of Westminster. She is a co-module leader of Sustainable City Economies. She is also part of the MBA teaching team, co-leading modules that support students gaining consultancy skills and innovation capabilities. Amanda has made significant contributions to the development of innovative business strategies and education methodologies. Amanda is passionate about change in action and carries out research around social issues that are prominent in our society. Her research interests lie in sustainability in business, modern slavery and migration issues.
V4 respond to the wider context in which higher education operates, recognising implications for practice
A2 teach and/or support learning through appropriate approaches and environments