Hi everyone!

As you know, the Imagine Cup has been endorsed by UNESCO. In fact this year's theme was derived from one of UNESCO's Millennium Goals.

UNESCO's office of Education and Sustainable Development (DESD) has kindly provided us with a list of educational publications for students that may useful to you as you brainstorm how to address the environment and sustainability theme of Imagine Cup 2008. This is a big topic and there are many ways to approach it. We hope these resources are useful to you!

Annotated list of DESD documents

• UNESCO DESD Website

• UNESCO and Sustainable Development brochure

• Linkages between global education initiatives

• Guidelines for integrating sustainability issues in Teacher Education

• Good practices in education for sustainable development: teacher education institutions

• Good practices in the UNECE region

• Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit

• CD-ROM ‘Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future’

• Folder of ESD information briefs prepared in English, French and Spanish in order to clarify and communicate the key concepts and messages of ESD, and also available for downloading. The collection of information briefs provides analysis on several issues.(see DESD website/clearinghouse/information briefs) 
• “Educating for Tomorrow’s World”  Issue 16 of the Education Today, UNESCO’s Education Sector Newsletter focus on Education for Sustainable Development and the DESD. It is available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian..  English - http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46227&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html 
• The DESD in brief A leaflet on the UN DESD, what it is and UNESCO’s role in leading the DESD.  English - http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001416/141629e.pdf 
• ESD information sheet As part of UNESCO’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the week of 5-10 June 2006 was dedicated to Education for Sustainable Development. An information sheet on ESD was produced by the UNESCO Bureau of Public Information in English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish..  English - http://www.unesco.org/bpi/pdf/memobpi39_sustainabledvpt_en.pdf 
• DESD International Implementation Scheme The DESD International Implementation Scheme was approved at the 172nd session of the UNESCO Executive Board.  .  English - http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001486/148654E.pdf 
• Framework for the UN DESD International Implementation Scheme This reference document was prepared through consultation with other United Nations Agencies, international organizations, governments, NGOs, universities, individuals and the private sector.  It was presented at the 59^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (New York, September-October 2004).  It served as basis for the writing of the DESD International Implementation Scheme..  English - http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001486/148650E.pdf 
• International Implementation Scheme in briefA user friendly booklet on the essential elements of the DESD International Implementation Scheme has been prepared and is available in English and French. .  English -  http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001473/147361E.pdf 
• Education for Sustainable Development and Life Skills A booklet Contributing to a More Sustainable Future: Quality Education, Life Skills and Education for Sustainable Development looks at quality education that fosters the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and values that lead to a more sustainable future.  It is available online.  .  English - http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001410/141019e.pdf 
• UNESCO-Private Sector Partnerships: Making a Difference Booklet presenting successful partnerships, opportunities for cooperation as well as UNESCO's overall framework for partnerships with the private sector.  English - http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001483/148376E.pdf 

Here are some additional thoughts from UNESCO that may be useful to you in brainstorming about the theme.

• Technology has particular links and implications with the UN Decade of Education for sustainable environment. Information Technology is the lifeblood of any large international initiative such as a UN Decade. The UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development will make optimum utilization of Information Technology as means of linking distant partners, storing data, and sharing information rapidly. Innovative ways will be sought to make Information Technology increasingly accessible during the Decade.
• Information Technology is central to basic knowledge economies. Wealth is generated by the transfer and use of information in ways that use fewer natural resources – such as paper, ink, and energy for transporting copies – than earlier methods. In itself, this is a factor in the more sustainable use of the environment, and therefore a key lesson in Education for Sustainable Development.
• Information Technology offers new learning modes and spaces. The Internet offers new options and interactivity for distance learning. This represents an opportunity for the widespread dissemination of Education for Sustainable Development in ways that offer options of individual pace, assignments and assistance from an instructor.
• Information Technology can serve to provide spaces for global dialogue. Different groups and communities can share experiences and concerns, and build consensus and mutual support for sustainable development. This can enable teachers and students to develop and implement a holistic approach to Education for Sustainable Development.
• Information Technology fosters life-long learning skills and enhance the development of knowledge societies.  Users, students search for and find information, sort it for relevance, ask questions and synthesize, thus learning to be independent learners.

• Information Technology helps develop “knowledge societies” - founded on principles of freedom of expression, universal access to information and knowledge, preservation of cultural diversity and equal access to quality education.

• Information Technology is not universally available - the digital divide is by no means bridged. In many places older technologies will continue to reach many people.  In addition, the importance of local knowledge in sustainable development implies that local and creative use of Information Technology will be part of a dynamic Education for sustainable environment  – the active generation, use and sharing of knowledge, rather than merely a passive acceptance of other people’s knowledge found on the Web.

Hi everyone-- If you are looking for ideas around the theme, make sure you check out these important resources! :)