We are excited to share that our collaborative efforts under the Sustainability Starts with Teachers (SST) initiative are evolving into a dynamic new phase! While the foundational SST programme laid the groundwork for building Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into teacher education systems, our focus now shifts to strengthening teacher leadership through the SSATL-ESD project – Sub-Saharan Africa Teacher Leadership for ESD.
What’s New?
The SSATL-ESD project builds directly on the achievements of SST by professionalising teacher leadership in ESD through curriculum innovation, change project implementation, and digital learning. It is co-financed by the European Commission and coordinated by the UNESCO Chair in Higher Education for Sustainable Development at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. Rhodes University continues to play a leading role in course and policy development, contributing to transformative learning pathways for African teacher educators.
Our Aims:
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Support teacher educators to lead context-relevant Change Projects that foster ESD competencies.
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Develop a hybrid ESD Leadership CPD course and a scalable Trainer-of-Trainers model.
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Integrate ESD into professional teaching standards.
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Establish ESD Labs and peer mentoring networks supported by ICT across partner institutions.
Why it Matters
As the climate and sustainability challenges facing our continent deepen, this next step ensures that teacher educators are not only trained in ESD, but are empowered to lead and inspire systemic transformation in their institutions and communities.
Recently, the University of Zambia (UNZA), one of our African partners, hosted the first stakeholder consultation with policymakers, faculty, and UNESCO representatives to co-develop actionable strategies for ESD leadership. It’s an inspiring start to a new chapter in the journey of sustainability education in Africa.
We remain committed to this shared vision and look forward to scaling impactful change with all 15 of our African and European partners.
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