Sustainability in Schools State Steering Committee
Background
The Sustainability in Schools project 2006-2007, worked across government and non-government agencies to develop a common approach to Education for Sustainability (EfS) programs for Victorian schools. A major outcome of the12 month project led by Sustainability Victoria (SV) was the establishment of a governance model that will lead to improved effectiveness and efficiencies in EfS program development and delivery to all Victorian schools.
The Sustainability in Schools State Steering Committee
Formed in 2007 the Sustainability in Schools State Steering Committee (SSC) involves key government and non-government organisations working together in a genuine partnership approach to address issues such as:
- the lack of coordination, integration and collaboration among key government and non-government organisations
- a common understanding of what EfS looks like
- an easy access point to EfS programs for school.
The SSC comprises five members and is chaired by Sustainability Victoria. The Committee members are:
- Sustainability Victoria (Chair)
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)
- Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
- Victorian Association for Environmental Education (VAEE)
- EfS service provider representative.
The SSC is supported by a flexible arrangement of working parties, for example the ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Advisory Group, reference groups and consultation forums as well as an endorsed strategic action plan.
The Sustainability in Schools Strategic Action Plan
Endorsed by the Minister of Environment and Minister of Education the strategic action plan goals are:
- to engage with stakeholders to ensure coordination and collaboration in the ongoing development and delivery of EfS programs to Victorian schools
- to increase the uptake and effectiveness of EfS programs in Victorian schools by building the capacity of the EfS schools sector through innovation, excellence and infrastructure
- to communicate with stakeholders and Victorian schools
- to promote active involvement with the original stewards of our environment (indigenous Victorians)
- to promote youth leadership in EfS
- to provide systematic, valid and reliable data on AuSSI Vic and EfS achievements for reporting at school, state and national levels.
Policy context
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The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) 2005-2014
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Living Sustainably- the Australian Governrment's National Action Plan for Education for Sustainability.(2009) www.environment.gov.au/education/nap/index.html
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The National Environmental Education Statement for Australian Schools - Educating For a Sustainable Future, Department of Environment and Heritage (2005) www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi/index.html
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Our Environment Our Future - Environmental Sustainability Action Statement, Victorian Government (2006) www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrence.nsf/LinkView/C50F9AEFF496CEA8CA256FE800232FE1E2176756455B21FFCA256E57007C82CF
- The Way Forward: An Environmental Sustainability (DEECD) www.education.vic.gov.au/about/deptpolicies/environment.htm
