UNESCO Chair on "Education for Sustainable Development"

UNESCO Chair on “Education for Sustainable Development” 

Acting Head of the UNESCO Chair on “Education for Sustainable Development” – Narine Vardanyan, PhD in Philological Sciences, Associate Professor

From 2011 to 2025, the UNESCO Chair on “Education for Sustainable Development” was headed by Gayane Poghosyan, PhD in Biological Sciences.

The UNESCO Chair on “Education for Sustainable Development” was established in 2011 at the Center for Ecological-Noosphere Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, as an entirely new type of UNESCO Chair structure. It is the only Chair in the Republic of Armenia operating within a scientific organization and carries out scientific-educational activities across various levels of the education sector.

Operating in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals included in the UN Agenda 2030, the Chair supports the scientific-educational process of “Education for Sustainable Development” and contributes to the integration of the three key components of the science sector—education, research, and innovation—at national, regional, and global levels.

Initiatives Implemented by the Chair

1. Education and Training: The Chair implements formal and non-formal educational programs, including modular programs, in general, secondary professional, and vocational education sectors. In the field of general education, in cooperation with schools—particularly UNESCO Associated and Partner Schools—it carries out various eco-educational programs and course-seminars focused on key sustainable development topics, including environmental protection, sustainable development, national security, healthcare, and improvement of quality of life. The Chair also conducts training programs aimed at introducing new directions and educational technologies in environmental education. These training sessions are primarily designed for teachers, teacher assistants, students, schoolchildren, and field specialists.
2. Development of Teaching Methodological Packages: Within the framework of the joint Master’s educational program “Environmental Protection and Natural Use,” implemented by the International Scientific and Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and the Center for Ecological-Noosphere Studies, the Chair supports the organization and development of master’s level education.
3. Scientific Research: The Chair develops and implements scientific research in two important international processes: “Education for Sustainable Development” and “Lifelong Learning.” It participates in the implementation of various local and regional programs.Within its local and international projects, the Chair continuously localizes and develops modern scientific-educational technologies and models, including project-based learning and open sustainable school models, utilizing pedagogical, telecommunication, and information technologies. The results of scientific research are published in various local and international publications.
4. Organization of Scientific-Educational Events: Throughout its activities, the Chair organizes and co-organizes various meetings, seminars, training sessions, conferences, workshops, and seasonal schools at local and regional levels, both in-person and online.
5. The Chair encourages and promotes research-based activities among schoolchildren, organizing various events, training sessions, seminars, and discussion meetings within the framework of NASA’s GLOBE programs.
6. Establishment of Cooperation and Expansion of Partnerships: To achieve its objectives, the Chair develops local and international cooperation by engaging interested organizations. It regularly submits reports and statements to the UNESCO General Secretariat and to the Steering Committee of the UNECE “Education for Sustainable Development.”

The Chair is a member of various local and international networks, is actively involved in the Environmental Education Network (EEN), and facilitates information exchange through relevant networks such as UNITWIN Networks, Copernicus Alliance, ENSI, Info CENN, GUPES, and EENCE.