We live in a world where it is no longer possible to ignore serious environmental issues such as climate change and resource depletion. Many governments and organizations are working hard to promote the ideas and practices of sustainability and stewardship. If they are to succeed it is vital that these values are adopted by the citizens of all countries, and most importantly that they are instilled in future generations. In Iceland there is a commitment to integrate environmental education and sustainability into the curriculum of all schools. However, there is limited support and few resources available for teachers and educators to achieve this goal.

To meet the Ministry of Education‘s need for education in sustainability, the University Centre of the Westfjords is building a Education for Sustainability Programme. This will provide teachers with intensive summer workshops as well as helping to develop curricular tools such as new course materials and lesson plans. This website is currently under construction and will provide links to educational resources and a forum to share ideas in the near future. A programme of on-going classroom support, provided by students of the master‘s course in Natural Resource Management, is also being established.

The first summer workshop will take place on the 10th and 11th of June 2010 in Isafjordur. This two day event will give teachers hands on experience integrating sustainability into the classroom. These two days will surely be an informative and inspiring introduction to sustainable education in the Westfjords.

For further information please contact Albertina, project manager with the University Centre of the Westfjords: albertina@uwestfjords.is