Building a Sustainable World Together: Global Dialogues for Nature Conservation and Education
Intercultural competences
Nature conservation
Education for Sustainable Development
under the CUHK Funding Scheme for Initiatives on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, supported by the UGC Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant (TDLEG) for 2022-25 Triennium
Project Objectives
- develop a deep understanding of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) principles and practices, especially the importance of nature conservation
- enhance intercultural communicative competences by engaging in global dialogues with educators from diverse cultural backgrounds
- foster critical and reflective thinking skills in evaluating and reviewing contemporary local and global curricula on ESD, specifically nature conservation
- develop an awareness of the importance of nature conservation and its relationship to sustainable development through active participation in research and action planning
- cultivate a global mindset by connecting with in-service teachers, teacher educators, and ESD practitioners from different continents
- acquire skills in collaborative inquiry and shared reflection, enabling meaningful engagement in collective decision-making processes related to nature conservation and ESD
- demonstrate competence in designing and implementing ESD curricula that integrate global perspectives and address environmental challenges
- develop leadership qualities for promoting ESD and nature conservation education in local and global contexts
Key features
Sept - Dec 2024
SEpt -Apr 2025
e-Learning Community of Practice (CoP) Platform
for Global Dialogues
Jan - Mar 2025
Project Team
Dr Sallly Wan
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Suzannie Leung
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Apple Chui
School of Life Sciences
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Janet Orchard
School of Education
The University of Bristol (UK)
Dr Maree Davies
Faculty of Education and Social Work,
Learning, Development and Professional Practice,
The University of Auckland (New Zealand)
Dr Cherry Sin-Yu Chan
Chan Feng Men-ling Chan Shuk-Lin Language Centre
City University of Hong Kong
Ms Isabel Li
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Prof Liz Jackson
Academic Unit of Social Contexts and Policies of Education
The University of Hong Kong
Prof Juuso Nieminen
Academic Unit of Social Contexts and Policies of Education
The University of Hong Kong
Dr Sancia Wan
Stanley Ho East Asia College
University of Macau
Dr Maria Antonietta Impedovo
The Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Training (ADEF) Laboratory
Aix-Marseille University (France)
Dr Fuangarun Preededilok
Faculty of Education
Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)
Ms Joe Cheung
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
How?
What?
Why?
Education for a Sustainable Future: The Power of ESD
What?
What is Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)?
- ESD teaches people to take action for a sustainable future.
- It covers topics like climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable consumption.
- ESD uses interactive, learner-centred methods to develop critical thinking.
- ESD is relevant for all levels of education, from early childhood to adults.
Why?
Why is ESD Important?
- ESD equips people with the knowledge and skills to address global challenges.
- ESD empowers people to make informed decisions for sustainable development.
- ESD fosters 21st century skills like collaboration and problem-solving.
- ESD contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
How?
How can ESD be Implemented?
- ESD should be integrated across all subjects, not just a standalone topic.
- Educational organisations should adopt whole-school sustainability approaches.
- Collaboration between education and different stakeholders is key.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
of the United Nations
What?
Nature Conservation
What is nature conservation?
Nature conservation is the actions that preserve and maintain the biodiversity and ecological functions, as well as restore them after degradation.
This could be done in a passive way, such as designating a protected area and allowing natural processes to take place; or an active method that requires anthropogenic management and action. This usually occurs in degraded habitats or a habitat that is in the middle of a natural succession process, also due to climate change.
1.Nature as the Foundation of Sustainable Development
- Healthy ecosystems provide essential services that support human wellbeing and the achievement of the SDGs.
- Protecting biodiversity is crucial for maintaining the natural capital that underpins sustainable development.
2. Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge
- Indigenous and local communities possess deep, place-based knowledge of sustainable resource management.
- Incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into conservation efforts leads to more culturally-appropriate and effective solutions.
3. Addressing the Root Causes of Biodiversity Loss
- The main drivers of biodiversity loss are habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
- Tackling the systemic social, economic, and political factors behind these threats is essential for effective nature conservation.
Nature Conservation &
Sustainable Development
4.Empowering Local Stewardship of Natural Resources
- Engaging local communities as active stewards fosters a sense of ownership and long-term commitment to conservation.
- Supporting community-led conservation initiatives can yield more sustainable outcomes than top-down, externally-driven approaches.
5. Seeking Nature-Based Solutions
- Nature-based solutions, such as ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management, provide cost-effective ways to address societal challenges.
- Scaling up investment in nature conservation can generate significant economic, social, and environmental benefits.
6. Pursuing Equitable and Just Conservation
- The costs and benefits of nature conservation must be distributed equitably, especially for marginalized communities.
- Inclusive, rights-based approaches to conservation can help address social injustices and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Nature Conservation &
Sustainable Development
Workshop 1
1A Crossing Cultural Boundaries:
Effective Communication for Sustainability Advocacy
Date: 21 Sep 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Dr Stephen NG, MoCC
Venue: G2, Ho Tim Bldg, CUHK
- Connect to what matters to the audience
- Tell a human story
- Use effective visual communication
Workshop 1
WS 1B (Guided tour)
Climate Change and Marine Conservation
Date: 21 Sep 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: MoCC Ambassadors
Venue: MoCC, YIA 8/F, CUHK
Hi, I am PB. Come and visit my Arctic buddies.
What is your choice of our common future?
Workshop 2
Cultivating Cultural Connections:
Exploring Perspectives on Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development
Date: 28 Sep 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Dr Apple CHUI and
her team of Coral Academy
Venue: Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, CUHK
We are HK coral babies.
We are nutured by a team of passionate marine biologists until reaching the diameter of 2cm.
Culture and Sustainability:
Unveiling the Power of Values in Nature Conservation
Workshop 3
Date: 5 Oct 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Ms Joe CHEUNG, Ocean Park HK
Venue: Ocean Park HK
逆「瀕」行動
Meaningful dialogue on promoting “eat local” among university students from HK and Macau
Ocean park, much more than a theme-park with a zoo, also a conservation and education institution with numerous of partners from different sectors.
Workshop 4
Bridging Cultures for Sustainability:
Collaborative Solutions in Conservation Projects
Date: 11 Oct 2024 (Fri)
Facilitator: Mr Tom CHAN,
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (HK)
Venue: Ha Pak Nei
“Living fossil”
horseshoe crab
Oyster reef restoration
Building Bridges, Making Decisions:
Intercultural Competences for Sustainable Development
Workshop 5
Date: 19 Oct 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Mr Alvin NG,
HK UNESCO Global GeoPark
Venue: HK UNESCO Global GeoPark, Sai Kung
Immerse in the geological , historical and cultural heritage ...
Elightened by the passion and concerted efforts on sustainable development...
Workshop 6
Beyond Borders:
Global Perspectives on Nature Conservation
and Sustainable Development
Date: 26 Oct 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Dr Xoni MA, OWLHK
Venue: Pooi To Primary School
Learning the rich biodiversity
and forest ecology of HK from an exciting board game
in
about
for
Education
the enviroment
Workshop 7
Embracing Diversity:
Cultural Perspectives in Nature Conservation and Sustainable Practice
Date: 2 Nov 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Ms Catherine LAM, HK Wetland Park
Venue: Hong Kong Wetland Park, Tin Shui Wai
meaningful dialogue on implementation of nature edication in local curriculum based on authemtic experience
Put on gloves
Roll up sleeves
Get muddy
Preservice-teacher clearing the weed
A good diversity of natural habitats and local plants in a single place with barrier-free facilities
Collaborating for a Sustainable Future:
Building Global Partnerships for Sustainability
Workshop 8
Date: 16 Nov 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Prof Fuangarun Preededilok,
Faculty of Education,
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Principles of ESD
Case Studies
Global Partnerships in ESD
Local Dialogues
Local Dialogue 1
ESD, Nature Conservation and Us
Date: 21 Sep 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Dr Cherry CHAN, CityU
Venue: G2, Ho Tim Building, CUHK
iceberg model
tree metaphor
Local Dialogue 2
ESD for Nature Conservation Issues in Our Communities
Date: 9 Nov 2024 (Sat)
Facilitator: Dr Cherry CHAN, CityU
Venue: G2, Ho Tim Building, CUHK
Intercultural Competences
What?
How?
Why?
Bridging Cultures for Sustainable Conservation:
The Role of Intercultural Competences
Why is Intercultural Competences
so important?
- Sustainable development requires acknowledging and integrating diverse worldviews and knowledge systems.
- Inclusive, culturally-sensitive approaches to nature conservation lead to more equitable and effective outcomes.
- Fostering intercultural understanding can help bridge divides and enable collaborative solutions.
Why?
What?
What is Intercultural Competences
for Nature Conservation?
- Understanding and respecting diverse cultural perspectives on the environment and resource management.
- Developing skills to effectively communicate, collaborate, and negotiate across cultural differences.
- Recognizing and valuing the role of traditional ecological knowledge in conservation efforts.
Bridging Cultures for Sustainable Conservation:
The Role of Intercultural Competences
How?
How to cultivate Intercultural Competences?
- Engaging in cross-cultural dialogue and exchange of knowledge and perspectives.
- Adopting participatory, co-creative approaches that center the voices and leadership of indigenous and local communities.
- Establishing educational frameworks that prioritize intercultural competences in conservation programmes.
- Documenting and sharing best practices and lessons learned in intercultural nature conservation initiatives.
Global Dialogues
What?
How?
Why?
Global Dialogues for
Sustainable Nature Conservation
What?
What is Global Dialogues for Nature Conservation?
- Facilitated discussions and exchanges between diverse stakeholders from around the world.
- Platforms for sharing knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches to conservation challenges.
- Collaborative processes to develop shared understandings and coordinate global action on environmental issues.
Why is Global Dialogues important?
- Environmental challenges, such as biodiversity loss and climate change, transcend national boundaries.
- Global cooperation and collective action are essential for addressing complex, interconnected sustainability issues.
- Inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogues can help build trust, foster mutual learning, and catalyze coordinated solutions.
Why?
Global Dialogues for
Sustainable Nature Conservation
How to facilitate Effective Global Dialogues?
- Engaging a broad range of participants, including governments, international organizations, civil society, indigenous communities, and the private sector.
- Ensuring equitable representation and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups.
- Utilizing a variety of dialogue formats, such as conferences, workshops, online forums, and collaborative projects.
- Establishing clear goals, processes, and mechanisms for translating dialogue outcomes into tangible policy and action.
- Leveraging digital technologies to enable more inclusive, accessible, and ongoing global discussions.
- Building institutional capacity and leadership to sustain long-term engagement in global conservation dialogues.
How?
Planning, Experimenting and Reflecting (PER) for
ESD in Nature Conservation (personal dimension)
Global Dialogue 1
Date: 16 Nov 2024 (Sat)
Time: 16.30 - 18.00 (HKT)
Facilitator: Ms Elim HUI & Dr Sally WAN
(ZOOM meeting)
Global Dialogues
Global Dialogue 2
Exploring ESD Curricula for Nature Conservation: from Local and Global Perspectives
(professional dimension)
Global Dialogue 3
ESD Pedagogical Design for
Nature Conservation Education
(professional dimension)
Date: 15 Jan 2025 (Wed)
Time: 16.30-18.00
Facilitator: Ms Elim Hui & Dr Sally Wan
Venue: ZOOM meeting
Date: 12 Feb 2025 (Wed)
Time: 16.30-18.00
Facilitator: Ms Elim HUI & Dr Sally WAN
Venue: ZOOM meeting
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