To those responsible for finalizing the UNESCO’s FrameworkofInternational

Implementation Scheme for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development(UNDESD）

We, the Japan Council on the UN Decade, are a network organization consisting ofnon-governmental organizations (NGO) in Japan for the purpose of promoting UNDESD,
commonly referred to as ESD-J. We wish to express our commitment with regard toUNDESD in response to the request made by UNESCO.

Osamu Abe
Chairman of ESD-J Steering Committee

Basic Character of ESD-J
ESD-J, established in June 2003, is a nationwide networked organization collaboratingwith various NGOs for promoting UNDESD activities.

ESD-J, covering all areas ofeducation for sustainable development, has been engaged mainly in sharing among its
members and others pertinent information, making and communicating various policy
proposals and enhancing network effectiveness, etc.
Vision of ESD-JInteracting closely with various stakeholders such as the Japanese government, localgovernments, business organizations, and educational organizations, ESD-J will work
actively in reorienting education/learning in and out of the school system in an effort toestablish a sustainable society at the community and national levels in accordance withUNDESD.

Mission of ESD-J
1)

Create an effective network of NGOs working in different dimensions ofsustainable

development

inordertoreinforce

theiractivities

fora

commonobjective of promoting economic, social and environmental sustainability;
2)

Formulating appropriate policy proposals and collaborative implementation
mechanisms on the basis of solid analysis of the major sustainability issues facing
the country so that different communities and NGOs could fully realize “Education

for Sustainable Development (ESD)" here and abroad in partnership with theJapanese government, local governments, international organizations, businessorganizations as well as educational organizations etc.;
3)

Install and/or improve institutional mechanisms at the community and nationallevels so that NGOs can be involved more effectively in building sustainablecommunities through school education, continuing education, social education,and community building, etc.;4)

Support international policy, program and project formulation and implementation
under UNDESD; and5)

Support training program for NGO staff who can take an active part in theactivities mentioned above # 4) .

Program of ESD-J (2005 –2014)
1)

Strengthening of Network Activities

・Establish and support ESD Round Table Mechanisms in all the interestedCommunities;
・Support development and strengthening of community-based ESD Program;
・Build up strong partnership with NGOs related to ESD specially in the Asia-Pacificregions and collaborate with them on country-by-country ESD programs and anAsia-Pacific regional ESD program.
2)

Participation in Nationwide Schemes and Programs.

・Establish national level ESD Round Table Mechanism;
・Propose policies and guidelines and participate in decision-making processes;
・Develop national schemes for ESD promotion in which communities will take anInitiative;
・Mainstream ESD concept and approaches into school education and adult education
Programs; and・Execute monitoring and in-process evaluation.
3)

Develop and provide ESD communication program, and4)

Make a general overview of UNDESD Program and policy proposal on ESD
promotion after UNDESD(Appendix)
The followings are the domestic activities planned under UNDESD that ESD-J currently
takes note of.

ESD Visual Educational Tool Hands-On Project by Environmental TV Trust
Asia-Pacific Network; this is a plan to introduce and provide the case examples ofsustainable developments through visual education to schools and communities;.

Earth Vision (Global Environmental Film Festival)Asia Traveling Film Festival;

Sharing Nature Leader Training Workshop in Higher Education by Japan NatureGame Association

International Workshop on Asian Democratic Governance; and”
Save the Earth Citizens Registration Rally”Project