The Pedagogical Design Bootcamp for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) concluded on 29 November 2024 with an emotional closing session that highlighted the hard work and commitment of the participating teams. During the event, the Simon Bolivar University of Colombia was awarded as the winning team thanks to its innovative proposal in the pedagogical design of DARAS (Development of Learning for Sustainable Active Pathways) within the course Educational Policies for Global Development: Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development, which is part of the Master's Degree in Education, which integrates principles of sustainability and transformative education.
The Bootcamp on Pedagogical Design for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is part of the initiative promoted by UNESCO in the framework of its Greening Higher Education programme, which seeks to integrate sustainability in higher education. This programme is aligned with the strategic pillar of Green Curriculum and Teacher Training, which aims to strengthen the inclusion of education for sustainable development and climate education in the curricula of educational institutions.
Through this training, the participating universities, including the Universidad Simón Bolívar from Colombia, the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (Mexico) and the Instituto Superior de Formación Docente Salomé Ureña (República Dominicana) developed innovative and applicable proposals that integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the pedagogical design, positioning themselves as leaders in educational transformation.
Commitment to transformative education
The programme has served as a platform for educational institutions to reimagine their curricula from a sustainability approach, enabling teachers and educational leaders to:
This effort not only strengthens teaching capacities, but also ensures that future generations have the necessary tools to face the environmental and social challenges of the 21st century.
The victory of the Universidad Simón Bolívar team, with its innovative proposal for a sustainability-oriented master's degree, represents an inspiring example of how institutions can lead the change towards greener and more transformative higher education.
The impact of greening higher education
The inclusion of programmes such as this one in the Greening Higher Education framework reflects UNESCO's commitment to creating sustainable and resilient educational environments. Through the Green Curriculum and Teacher Education pillar, it seeks to ensure that higher education is a driver of change in the transition to a low-carbon economy and a more just and sustainable world
Mentoring and jury assessment
The participating teams had the valuable accompaniment of mentors Tatiana Molina, Miguel Ángel Flores and Mónica Guerra, who provided personalised guidance and practical feedback throughout the process.
The final jury, composed of Griselda Lasaga, Inmaculada Díaz Soria and Vanya Roca, evaluated the proposals submitted by the teams based on their innovation, applicability and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Universidad Simón Bolívar stood out for the clarity and relevance of its project, which represents a replicable model for other educational institutions in Latin America.
An inspiring closing
The closing ceremony featured words from prominent leaders in the field of education for sustainability:
