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Dalhousie鈥檚 newly created Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) program is already attracting international attention.

At the mid-point of the UN declaration of the decade for sustainable education, leaders from around the world are gathering in Bonn, Germany from March 31 to April 2. Dalhousie鈥檚 ESS program has been invited to attend the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development: Moving into the Second Half of the UN Decade.

鈥淭his is very significant. There are five geographic regions and the college is the only one coming from the entire continent of North America,鈥� says David Walden, secretary-general of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

The College of Sustainabilty has been invited to be one of 25 exhibitors at this event. Selected participants will demonstrate 鈥�... innovative projects finding new and creative solutions to common problems.鈥� The program will be represented by director Steven Mannell.

鈥淎s we share what we鈥檙e doing, we get two main reactions, both of them packing a wow factor. First people are amazed by the concept itself; and almost immediately they want to know鈥� 'how did you do it? 鈥欌�� says Prof. Mannell.

The integration of sustainability throughout the curriculum is key, according to Mr. Walden. 鈥淚t promotes a sense of responsibility in both the local and the global. Ultimately, what this is about is taking responsibility at both a local and global level, creating students who understand that they can make a difference.鈥�

The conference provides an invaluable opportunity to network and learn from others.

鈥淚n Sweden and India there are laws on sustainable education, so in some ways they are far ahead. We can take our experiences and learn from others,鈥� says the college鈥檚 associate director Tarah Wright.

鈥淒alhousie鈥檚 approach to sustainability education, this holistic approach, reflects what is going on in the UN and internationally鈥攊t鈥檚 interdisciplinary, and it鈥檚 building global citizens,鈥� says聽 Mr. Walden.