Education for sustainable development

Based on the 17 Sustainability goals (Sustainable Development Goals; SDGs for short) of the United Nations and the Sustainability strategy of the city of Bochum, all learners should be empowered to think and act in a future-oriented and sustainable way by 2030. ESD as a holistic educational concept in the "school" learning space integrates sustainability into everyday school life so that the entire school community focuses on a future-oriented and sustainability-oriented school culture. It deals with topics such as democracy education, participation, climate and environmental protection. On the basis of the "Whole School Approach"-approach provides impetus for sustainable school and teaching development. The aim is to involve everyone in a school in the development and design of the shared learning space in order to integrate sustainability into all areas of school life and learning.

The Regional Education Office actively supports Bochum schools in implementing the project: ESD is promoted as an educational concept for the "school" learning space through the targeted networking of schools with ESD education stakeholders and the municipal coordination of ESD state programs and ESD pilot projects.

ESD becomes visible in schools when ...

  • sustainability is reflected in the school's mission statement and school concept.

  • sustainability topics (including climate change, resource conservation, social justice, etc.) are anchored in the curricula and covered in lessons.

  • ESD projects and campaigns on various sustainability topics (e.g. waste collection campaigns, school gardens or energy-saving projects) can be implemented.

  • the school administration is guided by the principles of sustainability.

  • a school culture is practiced that strengthens values such as democracy, peace and social cohesion and promotes cooperation with extracurricular ESD learning locations.

Contact information

Address: Universitätsstr. 43-49, 44789 Bochum

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is education for sustainable development (ESD) in schools?

ESD in schools stands for a holistic educational concept that involves all people in a school community (pupils, parents, teachers, etc.) and enables them to think and act in a future-oriented and sustainable way in everyday school life.

Why is ESD important?

ESD promotes an understanding of global challenges, such as climate change, poverty and social injustice, and supports the development of sustainable solutions. Everyone involved in a school is involved in responsibly shaping a future-oriented and sustainable living environment.

What skills does ESD teach?

ESD teaches future-oriented design skills that enable students to take responsibility for a sustainable way of life. This involves both training and practicing the ability to understand the effects of one's own actions on the environment in order to make responsible and sustainable decisions in the present and future.

Skills such as systemic thinking and collaborative decision-making enable the simultaneous consideration of social, economic and cultural contexts when making sustainable decisions.

How is ESD implemented in schools?

ESD is realized through the implementation of the "Whole School Approach" (WSA) as a holistic school and teaching development approach in schools of all types. WSA aims to integrate sustainability into all areas of school life and actively involve the entire school community in decisions and development processes.

The aim is to develop a future-oriented "school" learning space that initiates interactive and participatory processes and raises awareness of a sustainability-oriented teaching and learning culture in the school community.

The implementation of ESD in schools is supported by cooperation between schools and key ESD stakeholders at local and state level:

  • Regional Education Office Bochum

  • ESD Regional Center City of Bochum (Bochum Zoo)

  • Regional, extracurricular ESD education stakeholders

  • ESD Agency NRW

What ESD programs and projects currently exist in Bochum?

  • Certification program "School of the Future", ESD Agency NRW

  • State program "ESD Future Landscapes", Quality and Support Agency - State Institute for Schools (QUA-LiS NRW)

  • Choir project "Earth Choir Kids", Else Hirsch School