The 10 years between the Rio Earth Summit (1992) and the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) revealed a dramatic decline in environmental, social and economic conditions worldwide, despite the ambitious plans laid out in Agenda 21—the “blueprint for sustainable development” agreed upon in Rio.

This decline pointed dramatically to the need for widespread education to foster sustainable development. The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005–2014) was launched as a global effort to raise awareness and to inspire actions resulting in sustainable development.

In 2003, in anticipation of the coming Decade, the Baha’is of the United States joined more than 100 nongovernmental organizations, businesses and government agencies to form the U.S. Partnership for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

The Partnership’s vision is “sustainable development integrated into education and learning throughout the United States.” A U.S. Baha’i representative serves on the executive committee of the Partnership and co-chairs its Faith Sector Team, which focuses on engaging diverse faith communities in the Decade.

The Enviromental Jeopary Game, by Earth Day Network,
was used in a Baha'i-planned workshop on youth leadership
for sustainable development. Photo by Alex Kubala

By working with other organizations through the Partnership and initiating programs within the Baha’i community itself, U.S. Baha’is hope to contribute meaningfully to the Decade’s goals.

Activities within the U.S. Baha’i community include sponsoring national and regional conferences, seminars and workshops to advance education for sustainable development; publishing special issues of Brilliant Star Magazine (the award-winning children’s publication) devoted to themes of the Decade; and offering online courses such as “Sustainable Development and the Prosperity of Humankind” through the Wilmette Institute.