Speakers at a workshop on ESD through CLC held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 11-12 January 2009 stressed the need for a holistic approach to education as it is an effective tool for achieving sustainable development.

It is necessary to focus on interdisciplinary and holistic learning rather than subject-based learning to attain long-term development, they added.

Unesco Dhaka Office in collaboration with Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) and Okayama University, Japan organised the two daylong workshop on 'Education for sustainable development (ESD) through Community Learning Centre (CLC)' in the city.

The programme was aimed at developing strategies for the learning methods of ESD at the community level in the country.

Unesco Representative in Dhaka Malama Meleisea formally inaugurated the workshop, while experts working in various areas of ESD from the government, UN agencies, universities and NGOs took part in the workshop.

Malama said CLC should play effective role in spreading education for sustainable development as it is an effective technique for sustainable development.

“Eradication of poverty and socio-cultural development, including environment are a precondition of sustainable development,” he added.

Md Shafiulla Chowdhury, joint secretary of Education Ministry and national coordinator of ESD, said the workshop would provide an opportunity to share experiences on ESD programmes and formulate a national plan for ESD.

Associate Prof Hideki Yamamoto of Okayama University, DAM Executive Director M Ehsanur Rahman and Unesco Programme Specialist Kiichi Oyasu also spoke on the occassion.

The workshop facilitated by Mr. M. Ehsanur Rahman of DAM, Mr. Kiichi Oyasu of UNESCO. Particiapnts from Ministry of Education, Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE), UNESCO, UNICEF, Dhaka University, BRAC University and NGOs (DAM, RDRS, CODEC, Asrai, FIVDB, VERC, AMDA, BRAC, Concern Worldwide). In the workshop, the particiapnts developed a framework of national level implementaion of ESD and an outline of a handbook for CLC managers on how to implement ESD through CLC.