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August 29, 2007

International Sources

The Education for All (EFA) 1990 Framework in Jomtein, Thailand, was the foundation for the U.S. Goals 2000.

The Education for All Dakar Framework for Action (2000) in Dakar, Senegal was the foundation for No Child Left Behind.

The UN Division on Sustainable Development, of which the U.S. is a signator (Executive Order, President Clinton), states that it is organized to put into place Agenda 21 on Sustainable Development (also called the Rio Treaty). The Rio Treaty has not been ratified by the U.S. Senate.

Chapter 36 of Agenda 21 is on education:

Reorienting education towards sustainable development

Basis for action

36.3. Education, including formal education, public awareness and training should be recognized as a process by which human beings and societies can reach their fullest potential.

Education is critical for promoting sustainable development and improving the capacity of the people to address environment and development issues.

While basic education provides the underpinning for any environmental and development education, the latter needs to be incorporated as an essential part of learning.

Both formal and non-formal education are indispensable to changing people's attitudes so that they have the capacity to assess and address their sustainable development concerns.

It is also critical for achieving environmental and ethical awareness, values and attitudes, skills and behaviour consistent with sustainable development and for effective public participation in decision-making.

To be effective, environment and development education should deal with the dynamics of both the physical/biological and socio-economic environment and human (which may include spiritual) development, should be integrated in all disciplines, and should employ formal and non-formal methods and effective means of communication."

Activities
36.5. Recognizing that countries and regional and international organizations will develop their own priorities and schedules for implementation in accordance with their needs, policies and programmes, the following activities are proposed:

a) All countries are encouraged to endorse the recommendations of the Jomtien Conference and strive to ensure its Framework for Action.

b) This would encompass the preparation of national strategies and actions for meeting basic learning needs, universalizing access and promoting equity, broadening the means and scope of education, developing a supporting policy context, mobilizing resources and strengthening international cooperation to redress existing economic, social and gender disparities which interfere with these aims.

c) Non-governmental organizations can make an important contribution in designing and implementing educational programs and should be recognized;"

105 Peavey Rd, Suite 116, Chaska, MN 55318
952-361-4931 www.edwatch.org - edwatch@lakes.com

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