RCE Penang - 2024

Book Writing Project: Journey Towards a Sustainable School
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Book Writing Project: Journey Towards a Sustainable School
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Penang
Contributing organization(s) : 
Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO
Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS)
Penang State Education Department

Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. japareng Lalung
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
japareng@usm.my
Name: 
Wan Sharipahmira Mohd Zain
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
wansharipahmira@usm.my
Name: 
Nur Syazwana Hamzah
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
syazwana@usm.my
Name: 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aswati Hamzah
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
aswati@usm.my
Name: 
Assoc. Prof. Dr.Asyirah Abdul Rahim
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
asyirah@usm.my
Name: 
Dr. Rohaya Abdullah
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
rohayamfda@usm.my
Name: 
Dr. Chee Su Yin
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
suyinchee@usm.my
Name: 
Dr. Radieah Mohd Nor
Organizational Affiliation: 
Universiti Sains Malaysia
E-mail: 
radieah@usm.my
Format of project: 
Book
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Monday, December 30, 2024
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Asia Pacific
Address of focal point institution for project: 
RCE Penang
Centre for Global Sustainability Studies
Level 5, Hamzah Sendut Library
11800 USM
Penang
Ecosystem(s):
Agricultural, Coastal, Forest, Urban/Peri-urban, Wetlands
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Primary, Secondary, Teacher Ed., Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Book Writing Project: Journey Towards a Sustainable School for Asia Pacific" is driven by the region's diverse socioeconomic and environmental characteristics. Collaboration is essential to address significant economic disparities, varying access to education, and environmental challenges like pollution, deforestation, and climate change. By pooling resources and expertise, particularly from a team led by Penang, Malaysia, we can develop comprehensive and inclusive strategies for sustainable education, ensuring solutions are effective and adaptable across the diverse contexts of the Asia Pacific region.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
It tackles key challenges such as economic disparities, unequal access to quality education, environmental degradation, and limited community involvement. The region faces significant issues like pollution, deforestation, climate change, and inadequate resource management. By focusing on sustainable education and fostering community engagement, the project aims to create inclusive solutions that address these diverse socioeconomic and environmental issues in the Asia Pacific region.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
June, 2024 to June, 2025
Rationale: 
This project aligns with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It addresses SDG 4 by promoting inclusive and equitable quality education, ensuring lifelong learning opportunities, and reducing disparities between urban and rural schools. The project also contributes to SDGs 1 and 8 by enhancing education quality and access, thereby supporting poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth.

Environmental sustainability is a core focus, addressing SDGs 13 and 15 through climate education and biodiversity preservation, promoting responsible environmental stewardship. It supports SDG 11 by fostering sustainable community development and encouraging community engagement in sustainability initiatives. Additionally, the project exemplifies SDG 17 by fostering global collaboration, pooling diverse expertise, and sharing innovative practices, particularly through the leadership of the Penang, Malaysia team.

By integrating sustainability concepts into the curriculum and promoting comprehensive, inclusive strategies, the project ensures effective and adaptable solutions across the diverse contexts of the Asia Pacific region, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future.
Objectives: 
Enhance Practical Knowledge and Skills: Equip students with practical knowledge and skills in sustainable practices, empowering them to contribute to sustainable development.

Foster a Culture of Sustainability: Instill a culture of sustainability and environmental awareness within school communities in Penang, promoting responsible environmental stewardship.

Provide Valuable Resources: Supply schools with a comprehensive guidebook as a valuable resource for integrating sustainability into their educational frameworks.

Address Socioeconomic and Environmental Challenges: Align with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing socioeconomic disparities, varying access to quality education, and environmental challenges such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change.

Encourage Global Collaboration: Facilitate global collaboration and community engagement by pooling diverse expertise and sharing innovative practices, particularly through the leadership of the Penang, Malaysia team.

This project is driven by the need to address diverse educational, economic, and environmental challenges in the Asia Pacific region, ensuring that sustainable education strategies are effective, inclusive, and adaptable across different contexts.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
The program integrates environmental sustainability into primary and secondary education in Penang and the Asia Pacific region through the creation of a guidebook. It includes workshops and sharing sessions to enhance students' and teachers' knowledge and skills in sustainable practices. Teachers will participate in writing workshops to document their experiences with sustainability projects, enhancing their ability to convey this information to students. The project will use effective assessment methods to measure improvements in sustainability knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and evaluate the long-term impact on school communities. Focused on SDG 4 and SDG 13, the program aims to build environmental awareness and understanding of climate issues among youth. The guidebook will assist schools in planning and implementing their own sustainability programs, reinforcing the sustainability approach in curricula and contributing to broader environmental education efforts.

Suggested Activities:

Workshops and Training: Conduct regional workshops for students and teachers on sustainability practices, writing skills, and project documentation.

Collaborative Writing Sessions: Organize sessions where teachers across the Asia Pacific share and document their experiences with sustainability projects in schools.
Size of academic audience: 
500
Results: 
The "Book Writing Project: Journey Towards a Sustainable School for Asia Pacific" is expected to achieve significant results. Students across the region will enhance their practical skills and knowledge in sustainable practices, while schools will cultivate a robust culture of environmental awareness. The comprehensive guidebook will become a valuable resource for implementing sustainability programs, contributing to greater educational equity by bridging gaps between urban and rural schools. Teachers will gain improved competence in documenting and teaching sustainability projects, leading to a noticeable increase in environmental consciousness among school communities. Overall, the project will create lasting positive impacts on sustainability practices and foster effective regional collaboration throughout the Asia Pacific.
Lessons learned: 
Understanding and addressing the specific socioeconomic and environmental contexts of different regions is crucial for ensuring that sustainability education is relevant and effective. The project has highlighted the value of collaboration, demonstrating that pooling resources and knowledge from diverse stakeholders enriches the initiative and fosters innovative solutions. Engaging both teachers and students actively in the development and implementation of sustainability projects is essential for creating materials that meet their needs and interests. Comprehensive resources, like the guidebook, are vital for supporting schools in integrating sustainability into their curricula effectively. Ongoing assessment is necessary to measure progress, identify gaps, and refine strategies. Additionally, incorporating diverse cultural perspectives enhances engagement and understanding, while ensuring that initiatives are adaptable and scalable supports long-term sustainability and continuous improvement.
Key messages: 
Local Relevance Matters: Tailoring sustainability education to address local socioeconomic and environmental contexts ensures that the content is relevant and impactful for different communities.

Collaborative Success: Effective collaboration among educators, students, and regional experts enriches sustainability projects, fostering innovative solutions and broader impact.

Active Engagement: Involving teachers and students in the creation and implementation of sustainability initiatives promotes ownership and ensures the educational materials are practical and engaging.

Resource Effectiveness: Comprehensive, well-structured resources like the guidebook are essential for schools to effectively integrate sustainability into their curricula and practices.

Continuous Evaluation: Regular assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices is crucial for measuring progress, addressing gaps, and improving sustainability education strategies.

Cultural Sensitivity: Incorporating diverse cultural perspectives into sustainability education enhances engagement and provides a deeper understanding of environmental issues across various communities.

Adaptability and Scalability: Developing adaptable and scalable initiatives supports long-term sustainability and allows for continuous improvement and expansion of educational efforts.








Relationship to other RCE activities: 
The "Book Writing Project: Journey Towards a Sustainable School for Asia Pacific" is closely aligned with the broader objectives of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Here’s how it connects:

Shared Goals of Sustainability Education: Like other RCE activities, this project aims to integrate sustainability into education, promoting a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within schools. It supports the RCE goal of advancing education that fosters sustainability awareness and action.

Collaborative Networks: The project exemplifies the collaborative spirit of RCEs by pooling resources and expertise from across the Asia Pacific region. This collaboration enhances the sharing of best practices and innovative approaches, which is a core element of RCE initiatives.

Inclusive and Adaptable Approaches: By addressing diverse regional contexts and educational needs, the project complements RCE’s emphasis on developing inclusive and adaptable sustainability education strategies that cater to varied local contexts.

Capacity Building: The project’s focus on teacher training and student engagement aligns with RCE’s commitment to building local capacity for sustainability education, ensuring that educators and learners are well-equipped to contribute to sustainable development.

Assessment and Impact Measurement: The use of effective assessment methods to gauge improvements in sustainability knowledge and practices resonates with RCE’s emphasis on evaluating and enhancing the impact of ESD initiatives.

Regional and Global Collaboration: The project’s efforts to foster regional collaboration and knowledge exchange contribute to the RCE objective of strengthening global networks and partnerships in sustainability education.

By aligning with these RCE principles, the project supports and enriches the collective efforts to advance sustainable development through education across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.






Funding: 
Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Indirect
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Indirect
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Indirect
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Direct
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Direct
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Indirect
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Direct
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Disaster Risk Reduction 
Indirect
Traditional Knowledge  
Indirect
Agriculture 
Direct
Arts 
Direct
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Ecotourism 
Direct
Forests/Trees 
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Waste 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes