en
Scientific article
Open access
English

Education for sustainable mountain development: preliminary insights from a web-based survey of opportunities

Published inMountain Research and Development, vol. 40, no. 4
Publication date2020
Abstract

This article provides insights from a survey of education programs for sustainable mountain development (ESMD) and comments on the findings from the perspective of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's.(UNESCO) Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030 framework. Twenty-eight programs implemented by universities, research institutes, and nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are analyzed in terms of program structure, curriculum, and student needs and trajectories. Three-quarters of the programs are based in Europe and North America, the remainder in Central and East Asia and Australia. The programs fall into 6 categories, ranging from traditional university courses to summer schools, university collaborations, distance education, NPO-run skills-focused schools, and research facilities or observatories. Curriculum development toward ESMD has seen considerable progress, even if single-discipline and single-topic programs continue to be widespread. It has embraced fieldwork to offer learners hands-on experience and, increasingly, to work with local stakeholders in problem-oriented settings. Key elements of the ESD for 2030 framework are found, including concern for transformative learning and critical reflection on the structural causes of unsustainability. However, further research is needed to explore less visible aspects such as nonformal and informal education. Policy advocacy and institutional networking are required to scale up innovative approaches.

Keywords
  • mountain education
  • sustainability
  • institution
  • sustainable development
  • web-based survey
  • higher education institutions
Citation (ISO format)
UENO, Kenichi, BALSIGER, Jörg, PRICE, Martin F. Education for sustainable mountain development: preliminary insights from a web-based survey of opportunities. In: Mountain Research and Development, 2020, vol. 40, n° 4. doi: 10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-20-00026.1
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal0276-4741
246views
94downloads

Technical informations

Creation02/09/2021 12:46:00 PM
First validation02/09/2021 12:46:00 PM
Update time03/16/2023 12:03:49 AM
Status update03/16/2023 12:03:49 AM
Last indexation02/12/2024 12:01:54 PM
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack