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Education for Sustainable Development: What Matters?

Author

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  • Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș

    (Doctoral School, National University of Physical Education and Sport, 060057 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Dan Gheorghe Păun

    (Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Spiru Haret University, 030045 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Oliva M. D. Martins

    (Transdisciplinary Research Centre in Education and Development (CITED), Polytechnical University of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal)

  • Artur J. Santos

    (Transdisciplinary Research Centre in Education and Development (CITED), Polytechnical University of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
    Sports and Physical Activity Research Centre (CIDAF), University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
    Research Centre of ISCE (CI-ISCE), 4560-547 Penafiel, Portugal
    Research Center for Active Living and Wellbeing (Livewell), Polytechnical University of Bragança, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal)

  • Laura Urdeș

    (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Spiru Haret University, 030045 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

There is a raising of concerns about the need to change environmental behaviours through economic and social activities. Education plays a significant role in this process, with schools enhancing the necessary behaviour adoption by youngsters and their community. Thus, the present study examines the relationship between different variables, such as sustainability (green public procurement, healthy food activity) and education (course, impact, interactive teaching methods/technology). We developed a survey regarding education for sustainable development (ESD), with five sections considering the referred variables. We applied it to 385 Romanian educators and teachers from kindergarten and primary school. An SEM model was formed to evaluate the relationship between the associated variables. The results showed that an organisation or school with a long-term plan incorporating green public procurement will positively stimulate initiatives that help the next generation adopt good eating habits. Moreover, this eco-sustainable approach affects the creation of interactive teaching methods and the courses and classes. Consequently, the changes in interactive methods will positively affect the overall impact. Nevertheless, the relationship between courses and impact was not significant. This means management decisions regarding green strategies can lead to a broader change in a school setting, fostering the ESD.

Suggested Citation

  • Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Dan Gheorghe Păun & Oliva M. D. Martins & Artur J. Santos & Laura Urdeș, 2024. "Education for Sustainable Development: What Matters?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:21:p:9493-:d:1511644
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Junqi Liu & Yanlin Ma & Andrea Appolloni & Wenjuan Cheng, 2021. "How external stakeholders drive the green public procurement practice? An organizational learning perspective," Journal of Public Procurement, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 21(2), pages 138-166, June.
    2. George Lăzăroiu & Luminița Ionescu & Cristian Uță & Iulian Hurloiu & Mihai Andronie & Irina Dijmărescu, 2020. "Environmentally Responsible Behavior and Sustainability Policy Adoption in Green Public Procurement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Oliva Maria Dourado Martins & Dragan Ilic & Mădălina Belous & Radu Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Cezar Braicu & Violeta-Elena Simion, 2020. "Green and Sustainable Public Procurement—An Instrument for Nudging Consumer Behavior. A Case Study on Romanian Green Public Agriculture across Different Sectors of Activity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-25, December.
    4. Tobias Ide & Amit Tubi, 2020. "Education and Environmental Peacebuilding: Insights from Three Projects in Israel and Palestine," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 110(1), pages 1-17, January.
    5. Adin Marian Cojocaru & Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Anca Jianu & Mihail Alexandru Dumangiu & Lygia Ulpiana Alexandrescu & Marilena Cojocaru, 2022. "The Role of Physical Education and Sports in Modern Society Supported by IoT—A Student Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, May.
    6. Norita Ahmad & Maria Toro-Troconis & Mohammed Ibahrine & Rose Armour & Victoria Tait & Katharine Reedy & Romas Malevicius & Vicki Dale & Nathalie Tasler & Yuma Inzolia, 2023. "CoDesignS Education for Sustainable Development: A Framework for Embedding Education for Sustainable Development in Curriculum Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-24, November.
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