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The Honourable Diane McGifford, Chair, Council of Ministers of Education, Canada
Education and training play a major role in the endeavour to create a sustainable society. Globally,
we are facing critical environmental, social and economic challenges, which require new ways of
thinking and acting. We need to prepare our students by educating them in the basics of sustainable
development and preparing them to take their places as environmentally, socially and economically
literate citizens, consumers, workers and leaders.
In Canada, the Council for Ministers of Education Canada, local governments and community
organizations, stakeholders from many sectors, and many non-governmental organizations are actively
promoting and supporting education for sustainable development (ESD). Provincial and territorial
departments of education, universities and colleges including faculties of education, and schools across
Canada are incorporating ESD into existing courses, curricula and programming, as well as developing
new courses, curricula and learning resources. Moreover, much of this work is being done with
partners from outside the formal education sector.
We believe that ESD is setting a direction for education and learning that is based on values,
principles and practices that are necessary to respond effectively to current and future challenges.
Diane McGifford
Chair, Council of Ministers of Education, Canada