By: Rini Ratna Adriani

Pontianak (12/02)-In order to encourage the implementation of sustainable development education in West Kalimantan province, WWF-Indonesia held an Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) training in three districts, namely Melawi, Sintang, and Kapuas Hulu from January 23-February 1, 2011. The training was attended by dozens of representatives of teaching staff from a number of elementary schools in the three districts.

Through the training, the participants gained knowledge about sustainable development education more comprehensively as well as effective teaching methodologies. In June 2011, WWF plans to hold further training in Melawi and Kapuas Hulu districts. For Sintang district, it will be followed by the selection of three schools that will receive assistance from WWF-Indonesia.

In the implementation of this training, WWF is assisted by a number of local NGOs who also help in socializing this program to the local government, especially the relevant agencies, namely the Department of Education. Participants who have received this training are expected to be able to provide this knowledge to other educators who have not had the opportunity to attend training through KKG (Teacher Working Group) and become agents of change in their respective school environments.

Schools that implement ESD are also expected to become a center of learning for sustainable development education for all school components and the surrounding community. Thus, all activities in the school can be used as a real example of sustainable development.