Museums, Learning Centers and Education for Sustainable Development: Practices and Possibilities in the Oslo Area

Abstract

This study sets out to examine the potential of four Oslo museums / learning centers for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD has gained ground in the course of UNESCO`s Decade for Education for Sustainable Development and includes cognitive, affective and practical sustainability learning. It aims to raise aware, committed and participating citizens. UNESCO outlines ESD as a broad concept which comprises different branches of education, targets people of all ages and includes matters of development and the environment in equal parts, In, Norway this broad concept has been narrowed down significantly. According to the Norwegian strategy, ESD is a matter of formal schooling undertaken by young learners, and it is primarily seen as a matter of the natural sciences. Culture and cultural history – which are included in a fragmentary way in UNESCO`S understanding of ESD, are largely omitted in Norway s strategy. Norway`s message seems to be that museums and learning centers have little to contribute to ESD. The results of this study indicate the opposite. Linking ESD and museums / learning centers could be a win-win-move . Museums and learning centers would be encouraged to explore their exhibitions with regard to up to date topics and to make them more relevant to their visitors lives. ESD, I suggest, would be supplemented by a holistic approach to culture.