United Nations Decade ofEducation for Sustainable Development

MESA University Programme

Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African Universities Programme

Quote

“To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their

quality of life without compromising that of future generations.” (UNEP’s mission)

“The overall goal of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) is to integrate the

values inherent in sustainable development into all aspects of learning to encourage changes in

behavior that allow for a more sustainable and just society for all.” (UNESCO,06)

MESA University Programme Objectives:

to enhance the quality and policy relevance of

university education in Africa in the context of

sustainable development and the achievement of the

Millennium Development Goals.

to offer unprecedented opportunities for collaborative

projects between universities, civil society /

communities and the private sector

MESA & DESD Strategies

Building Vision and Advocacy

Consultation and Ownership

Partnership and Networks

Capacity-Building and Training

Research and Innovation

Use of Information and Communication Technologies

– ICTs

Monitoring and Evaluation

Background

On the African continent there are over 351 public and

private institutions of higher education, educating

thousands of young men and women

These bright young students

> are Africa’s future!

> play a significant role in whether the DESD

becomes a success and MDG’s will be achieved

Background (2)

UNEP and its partners developed the MESA university

programme

- To support a process for sustainability in African

universities

- With special focus on Africa

- As contribution to the DESD

Priorities results to be achieved as in MDG’s, DESD, the Bali Strategic Plan and NEPAD

Enhancement of institutional capacities in Africa

Mainstream environment & sustainability learning and

research in university education and university life

Strengthen the network amongst African universities

and other stakeholders in ESD

Promote leadership on sustainable development

Priorities results to be achieved (2)as in MDG’s, DESD, the Bali Strategic Plan and NEPAD

Making universities more relevant to the communities

that surround them

Increase awareness on ESD in these communities

Trigger initiative & innovation

Trigger the sense of feeling that both small and large

initiatives can make a difference

Priorities results to be achieved (3)as in MDG’s, DESD, the Bali Strategic Plan and NEPAD

Voice of students in ESD decision-making is seen as

essential

The private sector is expected to share its experiences

and give opportunities to students

Target stakeholders

Partner institutions

Universities

university management (including government)

teaching staff

administrative staff

students

Private actors, companies and communities

Partner Institutions

African UniversitiesUNESCO

South African Development Commission Regional Environmental Program (SADC-REEP)

Nile Transboundary Environmental Project (NBI-NTEAP) Association of African Universities (AAU)

Global virtual University (GVU)Global Higher Education for Sustainability Partnership (GHESP)

United Nations University (UNU) Online learning (Tokyo)International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)

New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)Africa Integrated Environmental Assessment and Reporting Network (AFINET)

African Network for Agro-Forestry Education (ANAFE) Environic Foundation International (EFI)

Global Student Leadership Programme (GLS)UNU – Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (INRA)

Activities

Pre project Planning Phase (1)

Baseline Study on African Universities Pre project planning meetings:

Finalize course dates and location

Participant selection

Define responsibilities and personnel

Identify collaborating institutions

Identify private sector actors

Course promotional material

Activities (2)

Phase 2

University Leaders Seminar (1)

Educate the Educators Seminar (1)

Leadership Training for Students Seminar (1)

Development of:

website

online support material

communications channels

Monitor build up of National Committees

Activities (3)

Phase 3

Intensive workshops (1)

Implementation of

Curricula, committee, projects

Activities (4)

Phase 4

Monitoring session

Evaluation and Improvement

Awarding

Rotational Chair on ESD innovations

Students Award

International Conference

Activities (5)

Phase 5

University Leaders Seminar (2)

Educate the Educators Seminar (2)

Leadership Training for Students Seminar (2)

Intensive workshops (2) with manual

Implementation of

Curricula, committee, projects

Monitor build up of National Committees

Activities (6)

After Project Phase (Phase 6)

Evaluation

Difficulties - Risks - Sensitivities

Difficulties:

4 official languages

Communication and transportation

Risks:

War / conflict situations

Financial commitment parties

Sensitivities:

Social issues in differing religions and cultures

OUTPUT:

Core capacities on mainstreaming of ESD through

conventional means and ICT

‘Adequate management capacity to maintain

ESD’

Availability of an extensive resources base of learning

support materials

Strengthened network and partnership between African

universities and similar global networks

OUTPUT (2)

ESD training University Leaders

Training of trainers on innovative teaching and learning

methods, as well as online support on pedagogy

Training of staff and students on ESD and

awareness-raising-skills

‘ESD-specific approaches increasingly

adopted in learning situations of all kinds’

‘High-quality materials and methodologies

in ESD’

OUTPUT (3)

Course Material

Mentorship

Active student committee

1 biennium international conference held

Conference report on research, best practices and

exemplar projects

Rotational professorial Chair on ESD Innovations

Evaluation reports

Costs

Total Cost of Project: US $ 2,840,000

Funds requested from donors: US $ 2,040,000

Nature of the programme: Spreading of the Vision

Students’ social circles

CommunityCivil Society

Private sector

Staff

Academics

Nature of the programme: Spreading of the Vision

Other universities in home country

Private sector in home country

National government

Pilot university

Nature of the programme: Catalytic

Projects NOT meant to be ongoing forever!

but practice is meant to be lasting!

Student committees are being trained to educate their

new partner universities

Build up of national committees

Building of the network should be ongoing after the

programme has stopped, as well as the raising of

funds to support the movement

Post Implementation Review

Pilot = 3 years: But want to have programme running

throughout the DESD!

The pilot is evaluated thoroughly

Did universities extract new funds and find new partners?

Did they spread the vision on national level?

MESA University Programme

Thank you!

- Reorienting university education -