ESD Canada Subcommittees

Communication Committee

The objective of this committee is to build awareness and support for ESD through collaboration with Provincial ESD Working Groups and other target audiences. By promoting and coordinating the development of educational materials, projects and proposals the members are successfully generating support for ESD across the country.

Strategies include:

• Developing targeted communication strategies
• Building general awareness of ESD and UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development initiatives
• Outreach to schools, schoolboards and curriculum designers
• Establishing connections of ESD to sustainability issues and climate change through outreach to the media

Resources:

• 2009 Communications Plan

Committee Members:

• David Bell
• Pam Schwartzberg
• Cyndie Jacobs
• Lyle Benko
• Rick Wishart
• David Israelson

Research Committee

The goal of the research committee is to identify, nurture and disseminate ESD research to provincial/territorial ESD Working Groups and national and international organizations as appropriate.

 Tasks include:

• Exploring existing ESD research
• Developing methods to make ESD research more accessible
• Creating a website with links to collected research
  

Resources:

• International Institution for Sustainable Development (IISD)

• Measuring Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours Toward Sustainable Development: Two Exploratoy Studies

• The Role of K-12 School Sustainability Policies in Manitoba (IISD Policy Report- January 2009)

• Education for Sustainable Development Questionnaire

• Research Committee ESD Website 

Committee Members:

• David Zandvliet (Chair)
• Bob Adamson
• Lyle Benko
• Heather Creech
• Grant Gardner
• Jean Paul L’Italien
• Christina McDonald 
• Glen Suter

Innovation and Leadership Committee

This committee gathers information surrounding existing innovative ESD projects and programs in order to build models of “Canadian Best Practices.” The goal is to have a better understanding of the innovative or leadership projects/programs already in existence. The “best practices” will be used to support other projects and programs to improve their education for sustainable development initiatives within the council and across the country.

Responsibilities include:

• Collect and share innovative ESD examples, practices, leadership and resources
• Model sustainable practices in ESD Canada activities
• Identify and influence key decision-makers
• Ensure/create equitable membership/representation

Resources:

Assessment Rubric

The assessment rubric was developed by the innovation committee to provide a method of evaluation of ESD projects and programs. The tool is divided into three sections: general characteristics, innovative qualities and leadership capabilities. 

Assessment Summary

The assessment summary provides details of various ESD projects and their innovative qualities. Information on the development and implementation process of each project is also included in the document. 

Equitable Representation Summary

The table displays a breakdown of the representation of the membership of ESD Canada. The participants represent a balanced selection of individuals. 

Sustainable Policies

The sustainability policies of ESD Canada demonstrate responsible decision-making in the areas of food, goods and services, energy conservation and air emissions, and fair trade.   

Committee Members:

• Kathy Worobec (Chair)
• Graham Bruce 
• Tracy Webb

Fundraising Committee

As the committee responsible for the financial stability of ESD Canada and the provincial/territorial ESD working groups, the members are working to identify funding and partnership opportunities.

Areas of development include:

• Communication and marketing material
• Mandate and messaging enhancements
• Fundraising planning
• On-going communication with funding partners

Committee Members: 

• Brendan Carruthers
• Christina McDonald
• Pamela Schwartzberg
• David Bell
• Mary Ferguson