The Partnership for Education and Research about Responsible Living

Reference:

Partnership for Education and Research in Responsible Living

Short Name:

PERL

Type:

European Project

Start:

PERL 1: 1º triennium: 2009 | PERL 2: 2º triennium: 2012

Expected End:

PERL 1: 1º triennium: 2012 | PERL 2: 2º triennium: 2015

Status:

PERL 1: Finished | PERL 2: ongoing

Type of Action:

network

Scope:

International

Official website:

http://www.perlprojects.org/

Manager at ESE:

Alcina Dourado

Manager entity:

The Hedmark University College,
Lærerskolealle, 2418 Elverum, Norway

Project manager:

Victoria W. Thoresen

Entities involved:

The Network includes over 100 organizations from 40 countries in 4 continents: European, American, Asian and African.

Financing:

European Commission (main funder)

Field:

Thematic Networks (Sócrates/ Erasmus 3)

Abstract:

PERL is a partnership of researchers and educators, aware of the urgent need for individuals and society to significantly rethink and reorient the choices they make and the manner in which they live their lives in order to reduce the negative impacts of climate change and financial instability, to ensure more just distribution of resources and to foster sustainable, dignified human development for all.

Responsible living involves:

• the readjustment of present priorities,
• the redefining of human relationships,
• the transformation of how societies deal with existing economic, social and ecological challenges,
• the intensification of the dialogue between science and society.

Education and Research about Responsible Living involves examining and stimulating the incorporation of sustainable consumption into daily actions and the creation of responsible lifestyles.

Sustainable consumption encompasses the principles of moderation and sufficiency as means of curbing social, economic and environmental imbalances and of stimulating responsible citizenship.

Sustainable consumption is founded on the principle of the oneness of humanity and the right of all to have their basic needs met.

Results:

Many schools do not yet provide education for consumer citizenship and sustainable consumption which isvalue-based, holistic, systematic, &related to student’s everyday life.

PERL will contribute to education about responsible living by:

• researching social innovation and responsibility;
• giving visibility to creative communities that collaboratively invent new ways of living;
• promoting education for sustainable consumption;
• stimulating consumer citizenship;
• developing teaching methods and materials;
• providing references and guidance.

PERL 1

PERL will hold two roundtable consultations of experts to provide updated scientific insight into the direct and indirect consequences of the choices individuals make in their interaction with the market.

PERL will also carry out systematic action research of best teaching practices based upon UNEP’score curriculum for education for sustainable consumption.

PERL will build upon the results of The Design Research Agenda for Sustainability (DRAS) and the Sustainable Everyday Explorations (SEE) project to develop an online platform for collaborative scenariobuilding about new ways of living. By adopting a peer-to-peer approach, hundreds of design teachers and students will have the possibility to bring together their autonomous but convergent contributions on sustainable ways of living.

PERL will further develop, test and translate learning materials focusing on active learning methodologies which stimulate students’associative skills as well as bringing them face to face with individuals in their neighbourhoods who have initiated sustainable ways of living. Two prototype modules for teacher training and one intensive course on responsible living will be established.

PERL will create a series of toolkits connecting learning to the everyday life of pupils and involving extra-curricular groups, parent-teacher organisations and families.

PERL will carry out a pilot project for audio visual materials to lay the groundwork for a set of relevant video/films.

PERL will create an index of existing educational materials.

PERL will hold two international research conferences.

PERL 2

Comments:

PERL 1 and PERL 2 are the result of the application submitted by the Hedmark University College to the Lifelong Learning Program Erasmus Academic Networks for 2009-2012.

The PERL results of work undertaken within the CCN.

PERL will work closely with UNESCO and UNEP to contribute to the U.N. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and the International Marrakech Processfor Sustainable Production and Consumption. PERLis based on the work of The Consumer Citizenship Network. PERL has received support from UNEP and from the Swedish Marrakech Task Force on Sustainable Lifestyles, and from the European Union, as an Erasmus Academic Network. The International Task Force on Sustainable Lifestyles has encouraged its members to become members of the Partnership for Education and Research for Responsible Living. PERL welcomes collaboration with relevant institutions and organisations. For more information about PERL contact sacha.deraaf@hihm.no ou alcina.dourado@ese.ips.pt