UNESCO’s Global Action Programme (GAP) was launched at the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in November 2014 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

UNESCO’s Global Action Programme (GAP) was launched at the World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in November 2014 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. It focuses on generating and scaling up ESD action at all levels and in all areas of education, and in all sustainable development sectors. Endorsed by UNESCO’s 37th General Conference (November 2013), the GAP was acknowledged by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/211 as official follow-up to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), led by UNESCO.

The Decade on ESD envisioned a world “where everybody has the opportunity to benefit from education and learn the values, behaviour and lifestyles required for a sustainable future and for positive societal transformation”. The Global Action Programme furthers this ideal.

To enable strategic focus and foster stakeholder commitment, the GAP has identified five Priority Action Areas: 1) Advancing policy; 2) Transforming learning and training environments; 3) Building capacities of educators and trainers; 4) Empowering and mobilizing youth; and 5) Accelerating

To enable strategic focus and foster stakeholder commitment, the GAP has identified five Priority Action Areas: 1) Advancing policy; 2) Transforming learning and training environments; 3) Building capacities of educators and trainers; 4) Empowering and mobilizing youth; and 5) Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level.

These Action Areas will be furthered by maintaining a global Network of ESD Partners that have committed to promoting ESD action; holding a Global Forum in 2017 and again in 2019 to generate ideas and monitor progress; developing outreach and communication tools, including an online Clearinghouse; and awarding a Prize to showcase the best ESD projects.