Integral approach to Learning for Sustainable Development
Learning for sustainable development requires an integral approach: schools not only reinforce sustainability in their lessons, but also make sustainable choices themselves. Teachers receive support in integrating sustainable themes, and students are given the opportunity to experience sustainability in practice, for example through internships.
The Whole School Approach (WSA) provides schools with a framework to strengthen sustainability at all levels. Learning for Tomorrow offers schools support with this framework so that sustainability becomes visible in both policy and daily practice.
Learn more about the Whole School Approach here: What is the WSA?
Competencies for Sustainable Development
To successfully reinforce sustainable development in education, it is important that teachers and students have the right skills and knowledge. Several national and international competency sets have been developed that serve as guides for learning about sustainable development. These sets are readily applicable within all levels of education and have many similarities. For an overview, see below:
International Competency Sets:
- GreenComp - The European Sustainability Competence Framework. (EU, 2022): European competency framework developed as part of the Green Deal: . Read more: GreenComp
- Inner Development Goals: Focuses on the inner development of individuals as the basis for sustainable change. Read more: Inner Development Goals
- Education for Sustainable Development Goals - Learning Objectives. (UNESCO, 2017): Helps educational institutions worldwide develop education in line with the SDGs. Read more: UNESCO ESD
Dutch Competency Sets:
- Learning for Sustainable Development (Arjen Wals, Wageningen University): A set of principles for transformative learning. Read more: Learning for Sustainable Development
- Design principles for Learning for Sustainable Development. (Stan Frijters, AERES University of Applied Sciences): Researching design principles for sustainable education. Read more: Design principles
- A Rounder Sense of Purpose (2019): Follow-up to the UNECE Competence Set for Sustainable Development. Read more: A Rounder Sense of Purpose
The above competency sets are applicable to multiple levels of education. Regarding the applicability of some of the above competency sets for the mbo, CINOP released the following research in 2024: https://cinop.nl/publicaties/toepasbaarheid-van-internationale-competentiesets/
Support for Schools and Education Professionals
Learning for Tomorrow provides schools and education professionals with tools, programs and networks to support integrating sustainability into education. Via SustainaBul schools can monitor their progress on sustainability. In addition, Learning for Tomorrow works together with the MBO Council and the sustainability and energy transition praxis on the Green Thread, a process approach that strengthens sustainable development in the mbo curriculum.
Learning for Tomorrow also offers various networks in which education professionals can share knowledge and experiences. This way you stay up to date with the latest developments and work together to make education more sustainable.
Want to learn more about how to strengthen school sustainability and share knowledge with other education professionals? Join our networks.
