Promoting Education for Sustainable Development at the University of Prishtina, Kosovo

Abstract

Kosovo Education for Sustainable Development---KESD is a local NGO which is one of the first organizations dealing with matters of education for sustainable development in Kosovo. The purpose of KESD is to help Kosovo in sustainable development in all aspects including education. KESD has played a major role not only in increasing citizens' awareness about Education for Sustainable Development, but has also influenced the Faculty of Education at the University of Kosovo. Bearing in mind that the Faculty of Education is the only institution that prepares future teachers; it is a great way to influence in general, with ESD through professional development, future teachers about the role and importance of the education for sustainable development and the use of the teaching methodologies that support ESD. In this paper we will present current situations about ESD, our country, achievements, challenges and obstacles, KESD's contribution in raising awareness of Kosovo citizens for ESD, in order to understand their role in developing ESD. The methodology used in this paper is a case study methodology. Through different activities which are mainly organized on a voluntary basis, KESD has been able to promote Education for Sustainable Development through various projects from preschool education to University level. However one of the greatest achievements is involvement of a course which is called Education for Sustainable Development and which will be part of elective courses taught at the Faculty of Education of the University of Prishtina. It is the first time that the Faculty of Education has organized a course like this which is very important for the future generations, particularly the future teachers. Through the education of students, KESD aims to increase the role and the importance of the sustainable education to new generations in our country and beyond. Increasing the awareness means more attention will be given to teaching methodologies, and teaching contents, climatic change, economic development, and protection of the environment inside of the Framework of reference of Sustainable Development Goals---SDG's 2015--2030 and Green Economy.