Scientific justification of a qualitative, effective and efficient monitoring of the Sustainable Development Center of the Ministry of Environment

There is no denying that sustainability and climate issues are high on the agendas of researchers and policy makers. This includes attention to educational initiatives that aim to prepare current and future generations for the challenges brought on by sustainability issues. Education for Sustainable Development is put forward as an educational approach capable of taking on this challenging task (UNESCO, 2017; Olsson et al., 2022). Duurzaam Educatiepunt, is the centre of expertise for sustainability education of the Flemish Department of Environment. It wants to support higher education, primary, and secondary schools in their efforts regarding Nature and Environmental Education, or Education for Sustainable Development. This support involves three programmes: the Nature and Environment programme (NME), Environment at School (MOS), and Ecocampus (higher education). The NME-programme focuses on educational partners such as Centres for nature and environment, organisations for nature and environment, and education actors. MOS aims to support schools in their efforts to develop a sustainable environment for learning and living that includes cooperation between students, the school team, and the broader school network. Finally, Ecocampus wants to be a hub for higher education concerning initiatives to integrate sustainability in their teaching and training. In order to optimise these support programmes for Nature and Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development, HIVA-KULeuven, the University of Antwerp, and Utrecht University were asked to assess Duurzaam Educatiepunt's programmes. The aim is to investigate to what extent these educational programmes are in line with the specific needs of the users.

Keywords:EDUCATION POLICY

Disciplines:Other pedagogical and educational sciences not elsewhere classified

Project type:Collaboration project