Reinforcing sustainable development in schools in Malta : a potential approach by the University of Malta to meet the country`s sustainable development challenges

Abstract

Various important historical documents have emerged which have left an impact on the world. One of these is Agenda 21, which is an important tool for policy-makers and environmental managers for bringing about Sustainable Development. For a long time it has been widely established that education plays a highly significant role in Sustainable Development, and inevitably this noteworthy discussion leads to school contexts. In this scenario, the validity of using Agenda 21 is highlighted and presented as a tool that can be used by environmental managers within the school whereby students from a very young age can start acting and promulgating Sustainable Development. With this in mind, Sustainable Development is expressed as four-pillared and intercultural management is viewed as an important field for social cohesion and justice, particularly within the school environment. The study also provides a strategic intercultural and environmental management plan tailor-made for a particular school in Malta. Both quantitative and qualitative research techniques were carried out to establish the context and to increase the success rate for this, long-term plan inculcating intercultural and environmental management practices. To reinforce Sustainable Development in schools, this study recommends among others, to enhance links between schools and the community, to form a database as reference and inclusion of interculture in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development in Malta. Considering the focus on innovative pedagogies and applied sustainable development, this paper will be useful for lecturers and teachers that intend to develop strategic sustainable development plans in their communities or institutions.