Learning for Sustainability Scotland

Education for Sustainable Development Topic Support Network: Becoming nature and climate confident
2023-11-14 13:30 - 15:00 (Europe/London)
We welcome all staff in further and higher education with an interest in learning and teaching to the November 2023 Education for Sustainable Development Topic Support Network (ESD TSN), delivered in partnership with EAUC Scotland: The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education.

Why this topic and what to expect: While sustainability is all about the interconnections between the social, economic, and environmental, we have heard some of you telling us that specifically integrating complex environmental topics into your teaching is tricky. While there is some great stuff happening – especially around tangible issues such as waste and recycling – teaching about more ‘abstract-feeling’ aspects like climate change or biodiversity can feel daunting when we don’t feel like we are experts in these fields.

In this TSN, we want to explore ways you can build confidence to integrate these topics into your teaching – both through gaining knowledge as well as through using teaching methods that allow you to feel comfortable with not knowing everything. We’ll have speakers from university and college contexts talking about their work as well as facilitated discussions with your peers.

Agenda and speaker announcement coming soon – click here to sign up.

As always, the event is free for EAUC members. Unsure if you’re a member or struggling to book? Get in touch with info@eauc.org.uk.

Live at COP28
2023-11-30 08:00 - 2023-12-14 17:00
We’re delighted to be running our ‘Live at the COP’ MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) once again. Since its first iteration in 2021 for COP26, over 10,000 people from over 160 countries have taken part in this collaborative, facilitated learning opportunity.

The course will run during the United Nations COP28 Climate Change Conference which takes place in the United Arab Emirates between 30 November to 14 December.

This course offers you an opportunity to examine what COP28 is, why it’s considered to be important and reflect on how you can add your voice to the call for collective action for a sustainable future.

Throughout the course, we will share ‘live’ insights into the issues being discussed at COP28, as well as responses to the conference themes from children and young people, community groups and ministerial bodies, both nationally and internationally. Using these ‘starting points’, we will invite you to reflect on what you have heard, watched and read, and think about what these conversations and issues mean to you.

Course content from Live at COP28 will remain open, free and accessible as a legacy resource for school, community and individual use beyond COP28.

Sign up here now. Complete the course before 14 December to receive a FREE certificate of participation.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #13
2023-12-07 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Our 2023 Annual Gathering and AGM: Celebrating ten years of LfSS
2024-01-11 14:00 - 19:30
We warmly invite Learning for Sustainability Scotland’s members to join us for an extra-special in-person Annual Gathering and AGM on Thursday 11 January 2024; where we’ll be celebrating our ten-year anniversary.

There will be two parts to this event and members can choose to attend one or both of these :

Our Annual Gathering and AGM at Moray House, University of Edinburgh (14:00 – 17:00)

Evening Reception at the Playfair Library, University of Edinburgh (18:00 – 19:30)

Click here to view the Agenda for the Annual Gathering and AGM.

Click here to book your FREE place at one or both of these events now. Please note that places are limited, so early booking is advised.

Both elements will provide an opportunity for members and invited guests to:

Network and connect with others

Hear an update on LfSS activities

Learn about and share new developments across Scotland and internationally

Celebrate the achievements of members

We look forward to having you join us for this special event.

Networking and tea/coffee for part one of the day will be available from 13:30.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us at enquiries@lfsscotland.org if you need any additional information.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Learning for Sustainability Scotland

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #14
2024-01-25 16:00 - 17:15

Shaping the future: discussing the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill
2024-02-06 15:30 - 16:45
“The Scottish Government recognises the duty to protect the interests of future generations. We also recognise that our ability to have a thriving society and economy is derived from the health of the planet.

Continually improving Scotland’s National Outcomes is one of the ways we can achieve these aims and ensure that we are able to deliver long-term and sustainable policy and delivery approaches. To do this, we need responses from people and organisations across Scotland.”

Join us and colleagues from Scottish Government as we explore and shape a response to the consultation on the proposed Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill.

This ‘aims to improve decision making and the implementation of the National Performance Framework to ensure that all policy and delivery accounts for wellbeing and sustainable development.’

We look forward to welcoming you to this timely and useful discussion. This report from the Scottish Leaders’ Forum may also be of interest in preparing for this event.

Book your place here.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #15
2024-02-29 16:00 - 17:15

Effective collaboration for Scotland's Learning for Sustainability 'Movement for Change'
2024-03-05 16:00 - 17:00
Join us online as we:

Explore the aspirations of Scotland’s new LfS ‘Movement for Change’: building on the findings in our ‘Movement for Change’ publication

Consider how LfSS members, from all sectors, can collaborate to engage with the Target 2030 movement for change ‘Call to Action’

Share and celebrate examples of relevant collaborations from around Scotland that support the LfS ‘movement for change’

Inspire and identify opportunities for connecting and collaborating on ‘Learning for Sustainability for All’

Help you find further support that may be needed to take action.

Here’s an overview of the session’s structure:

OUTLINE PROGRAMME1600Welcome, introductions and context 1610Setting the Scene: Target 2030 :A movement for people, planet and prosperity Julie Beckett, CLD Development Officer, Education Scotland1620Partnership working to engage with ambitions of Target 2030 Learning for Sustainability We’ll hear from the following:1. Collaborating in outdoor early learning and childcare Mairi Ferris, Manager, Thrive Outdoors, Inspiring Scotland 2. Student-school collaboration on the UN SDGs ‘Teach-In’ Caroline Jarvis, West Lothian College3. ‘Cairngorms 2030’ and secondary school students Tania Alliod, Cairngorms National Park Authority 1635Building effective collaborative partnerships for change Group Conversations What are the key enablers and barriers for collaboration? What support is needed to enable you to take action ?1655Plenary and Next Steps – action points1700ENDS

Please click here to book your place.

It's back! Join a worldwide learning community with 'Learning for a Sustainable Future'
2024-03-11 08:00 - 2024-04-14 17:00
Climate change, gender equality, biodiversity collapse, health, social equity, and inclusion are issues that affect us all, impacting human and planetary well-being, and economic stability. How to live a sustainable life affects – and connects – everyone.

We’re delighted to announce the return of ‘Learning for a Sustainable Future’; our highly successful online learning opportunity, which has, to date, attracted over 17,000 learners from nearly 160 countries.

Developed in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the British Council, this is a FREE, five-week, facilitated course, starting on 11 March.

You’ll develop an informed personal response to major global challenges as you’re supported to take positive actions towards a sustainable future. You’ll learn more about current global issues and consider how we can all take action, personally or locally. The course has an additional strand for those working in formal or informal education, who want to bring some of the activities and issues covered in the course into their own teaching.

Click here to sign up.

Responding to Scotland's Good Food Nation consultation
2024-03-20 16:00 - 17:15
Join us and Nourish Scotland to share your views on the Scottish Government’s national Good Food Nation Plan.

“We have set out a vision for Scotland to be a Good Food Nation, where people from every walk of life take pride and pleasure in, and benefit from, the food they produce, buy, cook, serve, and eat each day.

This Plan is the first of many steps to progress food system transformation in Scotland. This consultation covers the content of the first national Good Food Nation Plan and asks your views on the national Good Food Nation Outcomes; ways of measuring progress; and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation.

This first national Good Food Nation Plan represents how the Scottish Government intends to use the powers and levers we have to work collectively with people, communities, businesses, agencies and organisations to meet our Good Food Nation ambitions.” Scottish Government, Jan 2024

Click here to book your place.

Monitoring Education for Sustainable Development in Colleges
2024-03-21 13:00 - 15:00
How much do we teach the students at our colleges about sustainability and how do we know if what we’re teaching is making a difference?

These are two critical questions facing the college sector as we support and enable a just transition.

Join us and EAUC Scotland as we come together with other college curriculum leads, departmental heads, lecturers, principals, and sustainability specialists to learn about best practice on monitoring and evaluating Education for Sustainable Development / Learning for Sustainability in your college.

The workshop will centre around a six-step framework designed by and for universities, a Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) funded project led by University of St Andrews and EAUC Scotland, and how this can be adapted for college contexts. Have a look at the framework and the free handbook here.

We will hear case studies from Dundee & Angus College and South Devon College, as well as stories and perspectives from participants.

As always, this workshop is free for all EAUC members, which includes all of Scotland’s colleges and many more across the UK. University delegates are also welcome; however please do note this event will focus on colleges.

Click here to book your place.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #16
2024-03-21 16:00 - 17:15

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #17
2024-04-25 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on ‘Responding to the Call to Action in secondary settings’.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Education for Sustainable Development Topic Support Network: Sustainability competencies, skills, and graduate attributes
2024-05-02 13:00 - 14:45
Join us and EAUC Scotland for the next Education for Sustainable Development Topic Support Network Meeting to hear from universities and colleges about how they integrate the development of sustainability competencies into their practice.

The agenda is yet to be confirmed but will feature case studies showcasing good practice and sharing lessons learned – as well as opportunities for participants to engage and network to share further stories.

Book your place by clicking here.

Telling your Story: monitoring and evaluating the impact of your Learning for Sustainability activities
2024-05-09 16:00 - 17:00
How can we evidence the impact of our Learning for Sustainability activity in an effective and engaging way?

Join us and colleagues from the Royal Highland Education Trust and the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network online to:

Discuss how we can develop effective approaches to monitoring and evaluating the impact of LfS activities

Share experiences/examples

Examine successes and challenges

Share resources

Click here to book your place.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #18
2024-05-30 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on ‘Coaching and learning with our peers: the LfS Mentor programme’.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

'Learning for a better world': an introduction to Learning for Sustainability in youth work
2024-06-19 16:00 - 17:15
Join us, YouthLink Scotland, and our guest speakers as we

Explore what is meant by ‘Learning for Sustainability’

Examine the aspirations of Scotland’s national Learning for Sustainability Action Plan

Highlight the benefits and opportunities of Learning for Sustainability for young people and practitioners in non-formal education

Share examples of good practice

Discuss future support needs for youth workers engaging with Learning for Sustainability.

Click here to view the programme

Click here to book your FREE place.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #19
2024-06-20 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on ‘The LfS Book Club: sharing our inspirational resources’.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Responding to the national consultation on Post-School Education and Skills Reform legislation
2024-09-04 15:45 - 17:00
Join Learning for Sustainability Scotland and EAUC Scotland to hear more about and share your views on the Scottish Government’s Post-school education and skills reform legislation: consultation – gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

What is this consultation about?

The Scottish Government is implementing a programme of reform for post-school education and skills to improve outcomes and increase efficiency. The overarching objectives of the post-school reform programme are set out in the Purpose and Principles for Post-School Education, Research and Skills.

As part of this, Scottish Government is consulting on proposals for legislation to change what public bodies do in the post-school system in order to simplify responsibilities for apprenticeships and student support. More details on this consultation are available here: Post-school education and skills reform legislation: consultation – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Click here to book your place.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #20
2024-09-26 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on ‘Leading a whole-setting approach to Learning for Sustainability’.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on ‘The LfS Book Club: sharing our inspirational resources’.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on ‘The LfS Book Club: sharing our inspirational resources’.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Challenging Conversations: supporting young people in engaging with controversial equity and sustainability issues
2024-10-01 16:00 - 17:15
In today’s complex and uncertain world, young people are constantly faced with making decisions about a wide range of controversial issues that provoke strong, varied and often contradictory responses.

How can youth workers confidently create opportunities for young people to:

engage appropriately and confidently with these complex issues;

share perspectives and have difficult conversations;

critically engage with the many sources of information that inform thinking and ideas about controversial issues

play their part in taking action to create an equitable and sustainable future in their own lives and communities?

Join LfS Scotland, YouthLink Scotland and our special guests, ScotDEC, on 01 October for the latest in our LfS and Youthwork webinar series for the opportunity to:

Discuss ways of supporting youth workers in working with young people on controversial issues related to equity and sustainability

Share practice examples

Share LfS and youth work resources

Engage and discuss how this topic connects with the aspirations of the national Learning for Sustainability Action Plan and National Youthwork outcomes.

Click here to book your place

It’s back! Join a worldwide learning community with ‘Learning for a Sustainable Future’
2024-10-07 08:00 - 2024-11-10 17:00
Climate change, gender equality, biodiversity collapse, health, social equity, and inclusion are issues that concern us all, impacting human and planetary well-being, and economic stability. How to live a sustainable life affects – and connects – everyone and everything.

We’re delighted to announce the return of ‘Learning for a Sustainable Future’; our highly successful online learning opportunity, which has, to date, attracted over 17,000 learners from nearly 160 countries.

Developed in partnership with the University of Edinburgh and the British Council, this is a FREE, five-week, facilitated course, starting on 07 October.

You’ll develop an informed personal response to major global challenges as you’re supported to take positive actions towards a sustainable future. You’ll learn more about current global issues and consider how we can all take action, personally or locally. The course has an additional strand for those working in formal or informal education, who want to bring some of the activities and issues covered in the course into their own teaching.

Click here to register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as the course is live.

Keep the global climate conversation going with 'Live at the COP'!
2024-11-10 08:00 - 2025-11-05 17:00
Our FREE ‘Live at the COP’ MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) remains open as a legacy resource until COP30 begins in November 2025.

Since its first iteration in 2021 for COP26, over 20,000 people from over 170 countries have taken part in this collaborative, facilitated learning opportunity.

The course ran during the United Nations COP29 Climate Change Conference which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 – 29 November.

This course offers you an opportunity to examine what the COP process is, why it’s considered to be important and reflect on how you can add your voice to the call for collective action for a sustainable future.

Throughout the course, we shared ‘live’ insights into the issues being discussed at COP29, as well as responses to the conference themes from children and young people, community groups and ministerial bodies, both nationally and internationally. Using these ‘starting points’, we invite you to reflect on what you have heard, watched and read, and think about what these conversations and issues mean to you.

Course content from ‘Live at COP29’ will remain open, free and accessible as a legacy resource for school, community and individual use beyond the Conference.

Click here to access the course

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #21
2024-11-14 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on ‘Coaching and mentoring students: LfS in initial teacher education’.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #22
2024-12-05 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on Learning for Sustainability at a strategic level in a local authority.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Learning for Sustainability Scotland Annual Gathering and 2024 AGM
2025-01-09 10:00 - 12:30
We warmly invite our members to join us online for our 2024 Annual Gathering and AGM; where we will also announce the results of the election of our new Steering Group for 2025-2027.

This event will provide members with the opportunity to:

Hear an update on our activities over the past year

Learn about new LfS developments in Scotland and internationally

Connect with other members

Celebrate the achievements of members who have developed creative approaches to address controversial sustainability issues.

Share their own examples of these kinds of approaches.

Please click here to book your place.

We look forward to welcoming you to this event.

Learning for Sustainability and the Professional Standards – monthly Connect session #23
2025-01-23 16:00 - 17:15
Learning for Sustainability is an international and national priority in education.

Making a professional commitment to learning and learners that is compatible with the aspiration of achieving a sustainable and equitable world embodies what it is to be a teacher in Scotland.

In Scotland, the Professional Standards for teachers are underpinned by Learning for Sustainability as a key cross-cutting theme; interdependent with the other key cross-cutting themes of Values and Leadership.

Join us and the General Teaching Council for Scotland at our monthly drop-in sessions to connect with other practitioners and contributors to share, celebrate and discuss more about Learning for Sustainability and what it means for you, your practice, your setting and your wider learning community.

This session will have a focus on Learning for Sustainability and the Curriculum Improvement Cycle.

Click here to reserve your FREE place.

Education for Sustainable Development Topic Support Network: 'Positive Impacts of ESD on Learning and Quality'
2025-01-28 14:00 - 15:30
Join us and our partners at EAUC Scotland for this Topic Support Network (TSN) meeting on education for sustainable development (ESD).

This meeting will centre around how ESD enables quality learning in colleges and universities.

More details and agenda to follow soon!

Expect inspiring stories and approaches, peer-to-peer conversations, and a safe space to share your thoughts.

All college and university staff from EAUC member institutions are welcome to join us.

Click here to book your place.

Exploring the potential of...whole-school/institution approaches to Education for Sustainable Development
2025-01-30 15:30 - 16:45
Join Learning for Sustainability Scotland, and our colleagues from across the European network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) in Education for Sustainable Development, for our very first in our ‘Exploring the potential of…’ webinar series.

In this webinar, we will focus on ‘Whole-school/institution approaches to Education for Sustainable Development’.

Who is this event for?

Educators including teachers, head teachers, community-based educators, teacher educators, youth leaders, academics, policy-makers, and other education stakeholders

Regional Centres of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development.

What are the aims of this event?

Actively engage ESD stakeholders in sharing and deepening their understanding and knowledge of Whole-School/Institution approaches to ESD

Support educators to engage with the opportunities and challenges of bringing about a whole school approach to ESD

Share resources and sources of further support for a whole-school/institution approach to ESD.

What is the format of this event?

The event will include:

A keynote address from Professor Arjen Wals: Professor of Transformative Learning for Socio-Ecological Sustainability at University of Wageningen, Nederland; and and UNESCO Chair of Social Learning and Sustainable Development.

Practice examples from educators in primary, secondary, and tertiary settings

Opportunities for sharing and discussion amongst participants.

Click here to book your FREE place

Further details, including joining instructions, will be sent to you in due course.

We look forward to welcoming you to this event.

Warmest wishes,

The European RCE Network

Exploring the Proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill
2025-02-17 16:00 - 17:00
Join Learning for Sustainability Scotland and YouthLink Scotland on Monday 17 February from 16:00 – 17:00 to hear more about the Proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill.

This Bill, created by Martin Whitfield MSP, aims to “ensure accessible, well-funded, and high-quality youth work services across Scotland; supporting the holistic development, well-being, and social inclusion of young people, and ensuring equal opportunities for all, regardless of background or circumstance.”

The consultation for this Bill is open and will close on 21 February 2025. Read more in the Consultation Document at: https://lnkd.in/gVZGqcRA

Click here to book your free place now.

We look forward to welcoming you to the discussion.
