Learning for Sustainability Scotland celebrates its 10th anniversary

The Centre 

Learning for Sustainability Scotland (LfSS) recently marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 10th anniversary. As Scotland’s Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, recognised by the United Nations University, LfSS has been a pivotal force in weaving learning for sustainability across educational policy and practice in Scotland and beyond.

Congratulations to LfS Scotland for 10 years of making a difference to Scotland and the wider world. Your unwavering support has played a significant part in developing educators, like myself, to firstly understand the key elements and fundamentals of LfS; and then transfer these skills and understanding to the classroom to ensure all pupils receive their entitlement to LfS at a local and national level. Not only does the LfS Scotland Team play a very active role in raising the profile of LfS nationally through their work, but they are also superb mentors to practitioners like myself, offering unwavering support, advice and opportunities. Keep up the amazing work you all do in making the world a better place and I look forward to continuing to work with you in the years ahead. Enjoy this well-earned celebration and here’s to the next 10 years of Learning for Sustainability Scotland!

Debbie Matthewson

Situated within Moray House School of Education and Sport and hosted by the University of Edinburgh, LfSS collaborates with partners across the UK and abroad, contributing to a global network of 190 similar Centres.

LfSS works co-operatively with members and partners from every educational sector to harness the transformative potential of Learning for Sustainability to enable and support a sustainable world. This is a world ‘where people and communities value, respect and are engaged with nature; societies are thriving, inclusive and equitable; and a vibrant economy delivers prosperity and shared opportunities and contributes to social justice and flourishing ecosystems.’

As we mark LfSS’s 10-year anniversary – and the positive impact it has made in partnership with so many individuals, groups and organisations locally, nationally and globally in that time – we look forward to the next 10 years. LfSS has a key role to play in delivering Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability Action Plan 2023-2030 (Target 2030: A movement for people, planet, and prosperity) and building momentum through the Call to Action which seeks to build an inspiring movement for change. This bold new strategy is setting a clear strategic direction that will focus LfSS’s work and benefit the vibrant and diverse networks LfSS has created across all sectors and partners to realise the ambitions of the Plan.

Fiona Craig

Happy anniversary

LfSS commemorated its anniversary with a reception held at the University's Playfair Library on January 11. Notable figures attended, including the Centre’s Director, Peter Higgins; Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh; and Ms Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. Ms Gilruth praised LfSS for championing Learning for Sustainability over the past decade, emphasising its role in shaping a more sustainable and socially just society.

Enshrining Learning for Sustainability across the curriculum supports our children and young people to develop the skills, knowledge and values needed for a more sustainable and socially just society. Learning for Sustainability Scotland has been a key champion for this over the past 10 years and I congratulate them on reaching this milestone.

Ms Jenny Gilruth MSP

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Looking ahead, LfSS is poised to play a key role in delivering Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability Action Plan 2023-2030. Pan-sectoral working, the provision of professional learning, and engagement with advocacy and policy-making is evident in its accomplishments over the past decade, and it looks forward to continuing its work to embed sustainability across the everyday for learners, educators and communities in the years to come