Slovenia Advances Sustainable Development in Education with UNESCO Chair Initiative

It is historic because it marks the establishment of the UNESCO Chair on Teacher Education for Sustainable Development by the University of Ljubljana as of 25 September 2024, a critical step towards addressing the pressing challenges that global development faces, such as environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability.

The Chair is based at the Faculty of Education of the University and is working to strengthen structures of teacher education so that educators can better prepare for the rapidly changing environment of contemporary education. During the official ceremony, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe Director Magdalena Landry emphasized the role of the Chair as an innovation and cross-border cooperation platform. “This chair is a assurance to shaping educators who are not only teachers but also drivers of change in their communities,” she stated.

Coming into effect to address urgent global challenges through climate change and digital transformation, this initiative was designed to develop educators who could promote positive sustainable solutions for the next generation. The Chairholder and Professor of Biology Education at the University of Ljubljana, Gregor Torkar will integrate research with teacher development as well as community engagement. This approach should promote interdisciplinary work and modern teaching practices that adapt sustainability, social inclusion, and technology in modern education.

This UNESCO Chair creates an opportunity for realization of the broader strategy advanced by UNESCO in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals, whereby the biggest focus lies on Goal 4 regarding quality education. According to Landry, this initiative reflects UNESCO’s realization of building partnerships that connect research and practice in areas such as sustainability and educational innovation.

The establishment of the chair, thus becoming a symbol and source of inspiration for other institutions, reinforces the impression that Slovenia is a leader in educational reform in South-East Europe, supportive of sustainable development and teacher education.