Sixteenth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

The UNESCO-Action Plan “The Power of Culture“ (Stockholm, 1998) and the UN-Decade 2005–2014 “Education for Sustainable Development“ present the need for global education that is geared towards achieving a sustainable future. This study is focuses on redirecting education so that it presents sustainable development as a way to modify individual and societal lifestyles toward protecting the environment and achieving social equity. The question now facing the educational community is how can education for sustainable development be translated into practice so that it can be effective in transforming society for a more sustainable future? This study attempts to answer this question by analyzing the current trend for sustainable education in northern Cyprus. This is an evaluative review of contrasting initiatives to provide environmental and sustainability education in different institutions. It takes into account philosophy, policy, and practice in North Cyprus higher education. Academic programmes, policy statements, and education projects are analyzed, to highlight important developments, challenges, and prospects for future progress. This paper further provides recommendations for policy makers in government and the educational sector on how to redesign, upgrade, and modify existing initiatives toward education for sustainable development in northern Cyprus.