Thematic focus of the conference

The 6th International Conference addressed and interlinked two vital and main ingredients of education and training:

• Creativity and Innovation
• Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

By the choice of theme, the conference recognised both the UNESCO Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) and the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. By combining these two key educational issues of today, the conference became a platform for professional sharing and debate on the imperative themes.

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is a conceptual framework which comprises and links the environmental, social and democratic, and economic dimensions for long term sustainability.

In the strategic priorities of the European Lifelong Learning Programme for the year 2009, the Commission put forward that European educational actions shall aim to:

• Support creativity and innovation in all systems and levels of education and training, in view of making the European Year of creativity and innovation 2009 a success;
• Reinforce sustainable development, including issues relating to energy and climate change, through actions in all sectors of education and training.