International Curriculum Audit of ESD

NCCA seeks an ‘evidence-based culture for curriculum and assessment innovation and development across the continuum of Irish education encompassing early years, primary and post-primary’ (NCCA Research Strategy, 2019-2021, p.3). As Ireland looks towards the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and reviews the 2014-2020 ESD Strategy, NCCA undertook desktop research to inform the refinement of its strategic direction for ESD in the curriculum. The purpose was to explore the ways in which a number of jurisdictions integrate ESD/sustainability (including climate change) into their curricula and interpret and manage the UNESCO vision for ESD. This vision focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education, and specifically on target 4.7 (UNESCO, 2020, p. 14):

By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

This research will be published on ncca.ie in early 2022.