Education Vs nature conservation; NatureUganda in conjuction with UNESCO and NEMA organised an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) workshop which took place on the 8th April 2011. The discussion aimed at laying strategies of integrating ESD in the curriculum of all learning institutions.

Sustainable development (SD) is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. ESD aims at training and providing information on development sustainability.

The Guest of honor, the Parmanent Secretary Dr. Yusuf Nsubuga, emphasized that among other themes, “patriotism is a very important value which everyone should take up” to preserve and conserve our environment alongside development.

The Secretary General UNESCO, Mr. Augustine Omare-Okurut, pointed out that ESD is an education that balances society, environment, economy and other issues that help students in passing examinations. He also mentioned that ESD is needed for ‘lifelong learning” and advised the curriculum developers to start thinking of how to integrate it in the curriculum and how it can be examined. In his closing remarks, the Secretary General called upon all the stakeholders in Education to collaborate and make a change in ESD integration in Uganda's education curriculum.

One of the facilitators from Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM), called for NEMA Uganda's intervention especially in wetlands degredation. He mentioned that it should not only focus on the small bodies like farmers who cultivate in these wetlands, but also the investors (big shots) who put up businesses, petrol stations, car depots, etc in these wetlands. He also noted that some of these enviromental threats are effects of development practices for example the sewage plant that is being constructed in the Lubigi wetland. He called upon Ugandans to be Patriotic and individually practice roles or activities towards the ESD values.

The Executive Director NEMA, Ms Beatrice Adimola, one of the facilitators, also encouraged those who carry out construction/development to carry out impact assessment first before starting their projects. She also pointed out that education has prepared the youth in relation to technology through computer lessons, the same should be done for nature conservation.

Also present was, the Director UNEB, Mr. Bukenya Mathew, who advised on the enforcement of the Law on environment.

Participants/represented institutions included;

• NatureUganda (NU)
• Ministry of Education & Sports (MoES)
• Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB)
• National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC)
• Kyambogo University
• Directorate of Education Standards (DES)
• Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM)
• National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)

©NU file photo: Mr. Bukenya Mathew, Director UNEB (5th from the right) & other officials attending the ESD workshop

We should individually make it a point to contribute to sustainable development. Activities include water harvesting, not to only rely on the piped water, power saving, for example turn off the lights when its really not necessary to keep them on, use energy saving stoves, carry out tree planting, and so many others that can help us conserve our environment. Please use the contact form for any comments, suggestions or information.