To work towards the goals and vision of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the UN Decade Strategy Group has approved the UN Decade Action Plan, setting out the next steps for collective action. The Action Plan identifies 12 priority areas for partners to mobilize and proposes 30 Restoration Challenges to achieve the UN Decade's goals. Acknowledging that education is essential in ensuring that future generations understand the value of nature and appreciate its importance, the Education Challenge 6.1 aims to embed ecosystem restoration education (ERE) into formal and non-formal education systems worldwide by 2030 as a critical element of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
The aim is to develop a framework aimed at broad actions to map existing initiatives, build a common agreement on quality lifelong learning outcomes for #GenerationRestoration and work towards embedding Ecosystem Restoration into formal and non-formal educational settings synergistically with the UN-led Greening Education Partnership.
Coordinated by a consortium of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the challenge requires the collective effort of governments, educators, students, and communities worldwide to embed ecosystem restoration into our education systems. By doing so, we can create a future where every individual has the knowledge and skills to protect and restore our planet's ecosystems, ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for generations to come.