Education for Sustainable Futures

Our planet and its inhabitants urgently need education and educationalists with inspiration to act responsibly as the book editors Douglas Bourn, Namrata Sharma, and Mirian Vilela write, and I fully agree. They have invited authors to share their rich knowledge, essays and debates for inspiring us readers to collaborate in transforming education guided by the Earth Charter. The chapters offer diverse perspectives on the ways education is and can be transformed with a common value basis of shared humanity, social justice, planetary wellbeing, interdisciplinarity and creative engaging pedagogies. Be inspired and join the collective action.

-- Elina Lehtomäki, Professor Global Education and Learning, University of Oulu

Education for Sustainable Futures: Global Citizenship and the Earth Charter is a timely and unique contribution to the ongoing discourse on the role of education for just and equitable futures. Driven by a united sense of urgency, this edited volume brings together a wealth of perspectives from scholars and practitioners worldwide, demonstrating how the Earth Charter continues to inspire transformative approaches to education. Through insightful analyses and practical case studies, this book highlights the vital role of shared values underlying education for sustainability that fosters ethical leadership and compassionate global citizenship. The authors urge action, reminding the reader that the interconnected challenges of today require holistic, transformative, yet values-driven responses. As someone deeply engaged in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), I highly recommend this book to educators, policymakers, and all those dedicated to advancing sustainability through learning and collaborative action.

-- Charles Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, York University, Canada

Education for Sustainable Futures expands the field’s understanding of transformative education by grounding ESD and GCE in a values-based, holistic education. The book is a clarion call for galvanising moral courage, empathetic global citizenship, and transformative action for the well-being of people and planet.

-- Cathy d'Abreu (she/her), Senior Lecturer, Education for Sustainability (EfS), SFHEA, Oxford Brookes Univer