Long Way Off

Culture shapes the way we see the world. It therefore has the capacity to bring about the change of attitudes needed to ensure peace and sustainable development which, we know, form the only possible way forward for life on planet Earth. Today, that goal is still a long way off. A global crisis faces humanity at the dawn of the 21st century, marked by increasing poverty in our asymmetrical world, environmental degradation and short-sightedness in policy-making.

Cultural Values

Our cultural values, which often include particular religious beliefs, shape our way of living and acting in the world.

Explore The Values

Module 11 on Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability explores the importance of indigenous values and spirituality in providing guidance for sustainable living. Such principles and values encourage a spirit of harmony between people, their natural environments and their spiritual identities.

Beliefs Vary

The principles for living sustainably that flow from these and other cultural and religious beliefs vary between groups and countries. They have also changed over time as circumstances demand. Despite this diversity, many principles for living sustainably are shared, not only among indigenous peoples, but also between different religious traditions.

Guidance Provided

This module explores the role of culture and religion in providing guidance on ways of living sustainably. It also provides activities which analyse the place of these themes in the school curriculum.

OBJECTIVES

To develop an understanding of the relationship between culture, religion and sustainable living;
To explore the principles for sustainable living encouraged in a chosen religion and in a case study from Nepal; to analyse the relevance and applicability of principles of sustainable living in the Nepal case study; and to encourage reflection on the contribution of religious education in Education for Sustainable Development.

ACTIVITIES

Defining religion and culture
Values and principles
A case study: Annapurna, Nepal
Culture and development
Reflection

World Culture Report

Culture is a crucial key to solving this crisis.
Source: Preface, World Culture Report, UNESCO Publishing, Paris, 1999.

For more information download the following web page:: http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/mods/theme_c/mod10.htm

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Prairie Dogs Observe Preface To Report

World Culture – UNESCO Publishing, Paris, 1999