With the declaration 0f 2005-2014 as the decade of education for Sustainable Development by United Nation, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has established a University level Chair, cutting across disciplines and schools, to develop and promote Education for Sustainable Development in India in March 2007.

 

The eminent agriculture scientist Prof MS Swaminathan is the Honourary Chair. The main focus of the Chair is the promotion of research and education in the field of Sustainability Science. Being a paradigm shift of approach from awareness and understanding of general environmental education to involvement, participation and problem solving, the chair has undertake Action Research Project in different ecosystems of the country. Besides ecological and environmental dimensions, by looking into the economic, social and political dimensions, the overall objective of the chair is to improve the quality of life and life management.

 

The new Chair would give a new momentum to the national movement for Sustainable Development, in which large scale public interest has been generated, due to widespread environmental concerns at the local and global levels. It would also provide input in national and international policies on Sustainable Development.