Join The Library

Search History

more...

Help:

Curriculum Cymreig--Environment/Sustainable development--Sustainable development

Related links

Sections within Wales on the Web relating to the Environment and Sustainable Development

What is Sustainable Development?


Sustainable Development is using resources in such a way that it does not affect the needs of future generations, and ensuring that an area sustains its cultural or natural significance. It should have an influence on how we treat ecology, economic development and social and cultural concerns.

The National Assembly for Wales has a binding legal duty to pursue Sustainable Development, and as a result promotes its practice within the Assembly's day to day functions. The National Assembly for Wales is one of only three bodies in the World that has the promotion of Sustainable Development built into its constitution.

Although Sustainable Development isn't directly included within the Curriculum in Wales, there are clear connections between the two, especially within subjects such as geography, science and citizenship.

Sustainable Development - General Educational Resources

Below is a listing of websites that contain educational information on Sustainable Development in Wales.

  • The Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Wales website contains information about developments and resources to support education for Sustainable Development and global citizenship in Wales. It includes a directory and an interactive map, pointing to organisations that provide ESD services or support to schools and colleges, while the ESD reports contain online access to publications dealing with the development and delivery of Education for Sustainable Development. It is possible to search the directory by county, by area or enter specific requirements such as Key Stage, topic requirement, or a type of resource you are looking for.

  • Sustainable Development Commission Wales is the Welsh Assembly's independent advisory body on Sustainable Development. The National Assembly for Wales has a legal duty to produce a scheme that sets out how it will promote Sustainable Development in exercising its functions. The website includes case studies for sustainable initiatives in Wales and online access to review documents, investigations, practice in progress, policy audits, speeches, articles and press releases.

  • Welsh Youth Forum on Sustainable Development (WYFSD) represents youth empowerment, education and action on issues of Sustainable Development and has been created to give young people in Wales a say in what happens within the country. The website provides details of the Forum's work and events, and has a comprehensive links page to other related websites.

  • Global issues and perspectives are an important part of today's curriculum. The Global Dimension website provides resources, practical guidance and support in the teaching of global issues as well as raising our awareness of international matters and our role as global citizens. This site has a searchable database of hundreds of resources, many of which are free. You can search by cost, subject area and key stage; find resources on particular countries (including Wales); or themes, such as water, Sustainable Development and fair trade.

Sustainable Development in your Area

Agenda 21 is a plan of action adopted at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio to promote Sustainable Development. All Local Authorities in Wales have signed up for the scheme, actively furthering any initiatives that promotes the quality of life and ensuring that the earth's natural resources can still meet the needs of future generations.

The following links will direct you to Local Authority sites with information on the Environment, Sustainable Development and Agenda 21:

SCAN is an environmental education network run by the National Museums and Galleries of Wales and supported by the Countryside Council for Wales. It is a resource for teachers who wanted to give their pupils the opportunity to have their say on environmental matters in the spirit of Agenda 21. SCAN sets up projects that teach pupils about current environmental and sustainable development issues and shows them how they can play an important role in the decisions that affect our futures. The website provides teaching material and packs, competition details, listing of schools taking part, curriculum resources and a number of useful links.

Other Sustainable Development resources that provide information about specific areas include:

  • PEDEC (Powys Environment and Development Education Centre) is based in Llanidloes and serves the mid-Wales region. The project is a part of a nationwide network of Development Education Centres that is funded mainly by OXFAM and Christian Aid. PEDEC works with schools, colleges and community groups within Powys raising awareness of global issues and Sustainable Development.

  • Monmouthshire GreenWeb is a new website-based network of organisations that work to conserve the environment of Monmouthshire. Member organisations are committed to an environmentally sustainable future, and wish to exchange information and opinions with each other and the general public.

  • Sustainable Gwynedd was formed in 1998 to raise awareness of the principles of Sustainable Development in Gwynedd. They aim to develop the confidence of the voluntary sector and individuals, enabling them to take action to improve their communities and protect their environment. The website provides information on many sustainable projects in Gwynedd, as well as news and details of how to get involved.

  • Information relating to Sustainable Development in Cardiff is available from the Cardiff Schools Net site. This is a network that enables teachers and education providers to make connections with other organisations of all sizes that offer services and/or advice about environmental and sustainable issues.

Other similar websites that might also be of interest include: