Sustainable Development in Vocational Education and Training - Research Paper Example

Because of the importance of sustainable development, the United Nations promulgated the Millennium Development Goals of 2015 which aims to attain sustainable development. One of the said aims was to establish global partnerships that are aimed at attaining sustainable development. Further, policymakers also recognize the importance of vocational education and training in contributing to sustainable development. The need to incorporate pertinent issues with respect to sustainable development in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) was one of the main issues whereby the UNESCO TVET Program focuses on for more than ten years now.

In 1999, the Second International Congress on Technical and Vocational Education which has been held in Seoul, South Korea recommended the need to reorient Technical and Vocational Education Training by focusing on sustainable development. As a result thereof, international experts convened in Germany in 2004 in order to look into the said issue. The said convention resulted in the proclamation of the Bonn Declaration which once again, highlights the necessity of re-orienting Technical and Vocational Education and Training by allowing it to focus on sustainable development.

The proponents of the Bonn Declaration emphasize the fact that Technical and Vocational Education and training aids in the alleviation of poverty. Furthermore, these initiatives are also deemed of paramount importance in terms of promoting sustainable development that is more human-centered. Moreover, the Bonn Declaration also highlights the need to focus on the following in planning and coming up with the integration of issues pertaining to sustainable development to Technical and Vocational Education and Training: (1) building advocacy and vision, (2) support for the proper development as well as the review of Technical and Vocational Education and Training policies, (3) promulgation of guidelines related to planning and implementation, (4) development of programs regarding capacity building and training, (5) acquiring materials, resources and equipment necessary to support learning, (6) establishing various networks and partnerships to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and lastly, (7) the need to continuously monitor, evaluate and research programs related to Technical and Vocational and Education Training.