Education et Développement Fondation

General information

éducation21 - Switzerland's Competence Centre for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

The foundation éducation21 has been created in a joint action of the Federal State, cantonal authorities and the civil society as the Swiss National Centre for ESD. It is designed as a permanent structure charged with supporting the Swiss education system with integrating and implementing ESD.

ESD is understood as an umbrella concept: global education, environmental education, health education, civic education including human rights education and economic education are supposed to contribute essentially to ESD.

In 2013 the foundation éducation21 started its activities. Its main assignment is to foster the integration and implementation of ESD on primary level education (Kindergarten and primary school) and secondary level education (vocational/professional education, baccalaureate) in Switzerland. éducation21 is designed as a one stop shop for teachers, teacher trainers, educational institutions and civil society players as well as administration officials. It is understood as a platform for a wide range of ESD offers and information.

éducation21 is mandated by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education and six Federal Offices with responsibilities for issues such as (vocational/professional) education, development and cooperation, environment, public health, food safety and spatial development. Thus the thematic diversity of sustainable development is widely represented.

www.education21.ch/en