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The ESD-Leadership is a blended-learning programme for interested professionals from government, academia, NGOs, school administrators and teachers, and corporates in India who work in the field of environment education or ESD. This year the program is being exclusively offered to participants from India by Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Institute of Environment Education and Research, (BVIEER), a member of the international multi-stakeholder initiative on Education for Sustainable Development, the ESD Expert Net.
The programme is part of a global initiative coordinated by Engagement Global, Germany. The structure and the content were developed with the ESD Expert NET, a network of ESD professionals from Germany, South Africa, Mexico and India. The current cycle (2021-22) for 10 participants runs in parallel with a similar program being offered by the Environmental Learning Research Centre, Rhodes University, South Africa, also an ESD Expert Net member paving the way for bilateral exchange. Participants have the opportunity to interact with and learn from other members of the ESD Expert Net from Germany, Mexico and South Africa. A certificate of completion is awarded jointly by BVIEER and Engagement Global, Germany.
| Modules in focus | |
|---|---|
| Global Challenges and perspectives Learning | Landscapes across sectors |
| ESD: Basics and History | Whole Institution Approach |
| ESD Competencies, Learning | Project management and Leadership |
Mentee
S.K.S.G Sarat Chandra.
What you need to know about me :
Working as a teacher and member of the Landcare group at Sahyadri
School, KFI, Pune. I am a guy who gets inspiration from a tribal woman traveling 14 km to sell a few broomsticks she has bought, rather than from a
Individual who gets down from an Audi Car. I can be part of target free conversations which might not give any results in specific but gives us some
good understanding about it.
Professional experience:
Worked as a Biologist on a Volunteer basis in an NGO named Eastern Ghats
Wildlife Society during 2016-2018- Snake Bite Awareness, King Cobra conservation, Urban Wildlife Project, Fishing Cat Surveys etc. Worked as
Area Coordinator - Climate Change Education and Marine Lier
Management, among the fishermen communities living along the
Visakhapatnam coast. Practising natural farming in my 5 acre plot in the
Eastern Ghats region of Visakhapatnam, educating the local farmers and
communities about the importance of fertilizer and pesticide free farming.
Ongoing Projects:
In the process of developing the project - Connecting People towards Nature
- An holistic approach, with an aim to connect the community and the students about the nature around and also practice the sustainable lifestyles
both at the community level and individual level.
What I love about ESD:
The scope of interacting with diversified communities and knowing about
the activities happening around the world to achieve sustainable development goals with the help of Education.
Main Interests : A Holistic approach towards Environmental Education- A
way to analyze the life around us beyond boundaries. Making the children
aware about the importance of sustainable lifestyles, and also making them
understand about the future Environmental consequences they are going to
face.
Contact Details : (+91)- 8801383426, sarat.chandra@sahyadrischool.org
Mentee
Dhanajay Kulkarni
What you need to know about me : Never get satisfied with current level,
always seek for next level of Mastery. I seek to find maximalism in minimalism.
Professional experience: American India Foundation (AIF) , an NGO. Working as Livelihoods Master Trainer from May 2021. My responsibilities mainly
include Training and Project Coordination. I have my own Start-Up. LEARN
& APPLY- Business Excellence Consultancy. I mainly engage in content creation and work as Trainer and Business Consultant-. I am
also a Trainer for Circular Economy. I started this endeavor in 2020. Before that, given my engineering background, I have worked with an MNC
Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited (CGCEL) as Assistant Manager, Marketing for around 2 years. I got experience in Project Management Support to Top Management in Policy Creation and Roll out
Ongoing Projects: Livelihoods based ESD Training, Employability skills with
Sustainability, Change agent for Target Group: Age group 14 to 20 (std. 8th
to 12th and students of FY and SY)I run a YouTube Channel- SUSTAINABILITY
SIMPLY PUT . It has simple explanation for all (irrespective of Education)
What I love about ESD: ESD is a Must for 21st Century
Main Interests : awareness and capacity building for youth in ESD, Activity
based Learning, sustainability in daily life,
Contact Details : +91-7972255381 , Kulkarni1jay@gmail.com
Mentee
Padmini Maria Nayak
What you need to know about me : My friends call me ‘Paddy‘ or
‘Pad‘ and while I think both are beer than my full name I also know
that both these words have their own meanings and so choose wisely.
You might offend me with the incorrect choice. My decision-making
skills resemble a squirrel crossing the streets precise and calculative.
Professional experience: For the last seven years I have been working
as Teacher at GD GOENKA PUBLIC SCHOOL, SILIGURI . The Primary
section is my life. I believe that it is at this stage where we can instill in
our children the values of a sustainable environment. Along with
teaching, I engage in many activities on environmental issues .
Ongoing Projects: Under the environmental activities , we conduct
in our school, we are working on projects related to SDGs. The projects
I am working on are as follows:
G4SDGs – Goenkans for Sustainable Development Goals.
GYOF – Grow Your Own Food
G4H – Goenkans for Health, Hope, Hygiene and Humanity
Target group – whole school .
What I love about ESD: E stands not just for Education but for Engaging and Enlightening
Main Interests : TRANSFORMING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
To encourage learners to become change agents who have the
knowledge, means, willingness and courage to take transformative action for sustainable development, learning institutions need, themselves, to be transformed
Contact Details : (+91)- 8337022727, pmnkolkata2015@gmail.com
Mentee
Arun Ashokrao Bais
What you need to know about me : I am a simple common guy full of
emotions. Love to meet more and more people and spend on with
them. Love to watch movies, play cricket., listen movies, visit new
places, try variety of food and wander in nature.
Professional experience: As Teacher Educator at DIET, Hingoli, Maharashtra, my role is to organize, design and conduct teacher trainings as
well as to provide or arrange onsite support to teachers whenever
needed. I have worked as a primary teacher in government school at
Basmat, Hingoli from June 2007 to March 2014. I worked as Head Master of an Upper Primary Government school in Hingoli from March
2014 to Dec 2016.
Ongoing Projects: The ‘Vidyavedh 2020’ program was launched by DIET and the Education Department of Hingoli in August 2020 to improve the learning outcomes of children in foundational literacy and
numeracy as suggested in NEP 2020 . We have a Target Group of
138 schools – 138 teachers under 10 Cluster Heads .
What I love about ESD: The words ‘SUSTAINABLE’ & ‘EQUITY’ motivates me to work in the field of ESD.
Main Interests : cultural bridge between Urban and Rural area students, Water management , Awareness regarding Gender equity.
Contact Details : (+91)- 9423141004 , abarunbais1@gmail.com pmnkolkata2015@gmail.com
Mentee
Dr. Aabid Mir
What you need to know about me :
I am a plant ecologist and a conservationist working on rare,
endemic, and threatened species of India. Working with many
national and international organisations, I have published several
research papers , books, book chapters, and articles .I am a
member of the IUCN-SSC and WCPA .
Professional experience:
From 2019, I am a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Kashmir . I am working on endangered plants of Kashmir Himalayas. As
researcher , I have worked on plant ecology, distribution an the
conservation of community forests in NE India. I also have teaching
experience. Since 2018, I serve as Founder President of an NGO
called CERD and we work with school children to raise awareness
about environment.
Ongoing Projects: I am currently working on studying various
critically endangered and Endemic Species of Kashmir Himalayas. I
am also working on habitat characterization, population structure,
regeneration and conservation implications of newly discovered
species in Kashmir Himalayas. I have funding from National
Geographic Society , USA , UGC, Delhi and other sources to carry
out my research.
What I love about ESD: Capacity building, ecosystem restoration
and Citizen science
Main Interests : Biodiversity conservation, sustainable living, restoration
Contact Details : (+91)- 9149604703 , aabidm4@gmail.com
Mentee
Dr. Deborah Dutta
What you need to know about me :
I am a wallflower, and a reasonably happy one at that. Geting me to
talk first is usually as easy as geting a scared snail to poke its head
out. But, then again, what beer than a snail to give you company if you
want to slow down and enjoy nature? I am presently working as Senior
Research Fellow at Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) , Gujarat.
Professional experience: From 2014 to 2020 I worked as Research
Scholar at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education/ Research on motivating environmental action through urban farming . I obtained my
PhD through this association.
Ongoing Projects: At IRMA as Senior Research Fellow from July 2020,
I am working on understanding sustainable transitions in agriculture
through civic action initiatives. This work involves working with development practitioners, interviewing farmers, doing field visits and developing knowledge outcomes to inspire youth to get involved in sustainability initiatives.
What I love about ESD: I have always had an affinity towards nature,
but had very lile exposure during my childhood owing to my upbringing in cramped neighbourhoods of Delhi. The process of working in ESD
thus has been a cathartic process for me. To quote Robin Kimmerer,
“The land remembers you, even if you are lost.”
Main Interests : Food security, responsible consumption, ecologically
responsible education
Contact Details : debbiebornfree@gmail.com , +91—9930325174
Mentee
Dr. Viragkumar Garala
What you need to know about me :
I hardly read books but I like to think about new innovations in
ICT field. I talk less and listen more. I am Lecturer at District Institute of Education and Training, ( DIET), Anand
Professional experience:
I have mainly been involved in teaching and curriculum pedagogy. I
have worked as Lecturer in M.ed. college for 5 years and aoer that
as Lecturer in DIET Anand. I have been mainly connected with
teacher training, content development in mathematics and research in education .
Ongoing Projects: Making constructivist teacher training modules
and measure its effect on classroom learning environment, students so skills and teachers teaching behaviors. Recently I completed research on students reading speed and reading speed with
comprehension and also completed research on status of effectiveness of PRAGNA ABHIGAM
What I love about ESD: Education changes world
Main Interests : Data collection, research and presentation
Contact Details : 972502371 Virag.garala@gmail.co
knowledge, means, willingness and courage to take transformaƟve acƟon for sustainable development, learning insƟtuƟons need, themselves, to be transformed
Contact Details : (+91)- 8337022727, pmnkolkata2015@gmail.com
Mentee
Arun Ashokrao Bais
What you need to know about me :
I am an out-of-box educational administrator. I love working, motivating
myself to motivate others. I am presently carrying out the responsibility of
Additional District Education Officer (ADEO) in Ganjam , Odisha
Professional experience:
¨ Head Master at Elementary Teachers Training School, Gorumahisani,
Mayurbhanj from Feb 2013 to June 2014.
¨ Block Education Officer in different blocks of Jagatsingpur & Mayurbhanj
district from July 2014 to May 2021.
(As an Education Officer at different levels, my focus has been on quality
education, sustainable change in school education, activity based learning on
enviornment in addition to sound and effective educational administration.)
Ongoing Projects:
High School transformation, Samagra siskhya.
Aim: Quality education, holistic development.
Target groups: School children, teachers.
What I love about ESD: I believe through ESD the beauty of nature can be
sustained for generations.
Main Interests : Biodiversity conservation, Ground water issue, organic
production & consumption.
Contact Details : +91-7750062277 , rajeshkumarpradhan7@gmail.com
Main Interests : cultural bridge between Urban and Rural area students, Water management , Awareness regarding Gender equity.
Contact Details : (+91)- 9423141004 , abarunbais1@gmail.com pmnkolkata2015@gmail.com
Mentee
Vineesh V.T.
What you need to know about me :
A person who give admirable advice to others, but incapable of taking it! Fun
loving , easy going and values creativity than knowledge. I am presently working
as Research Officer at SCERT, Kerala.
Professional experience:
I have mainly worked as a High School Teacher ( NATURAL SCIENCE) in the department of Education, Kerala before joining SCERT.
Before that I worked as Lectures in Natural Sciences in various colleges of
Education in Kerala and as Lectures Biology in various schools in Kerala. I have
huge experience of teaching.
Ongoing Projects:
Currently working on SAFE HEALTHY AND HAPPY SCHOOL to make the school
atmosphere safe and healthy ensuring child friendly learning environment and
learning as a joyful experience. I am working with Public funded schools. I
am also working on Drug Use disorder awareness programme which aims to
build awareness on the impact of drug use disorder among school students in
Public funded schools. I am also involved in developing a Position Paper on
Curriculum Development for the SCF . Lastly, I am involved in making the school
as a talent lab which inculcate various talents in all students inclusively.under
the TALENT LAB TRY OUT project.
What I love about ESD: I believe through ESD the beauty of nature can be
sustained for generations.
Main Interests : Biodiversity conservation, Ground water issue, organic production & consumption.
Contact Details : +91-9188830546 , vtv087@gmail.comresponsible education
Contact Details : debbiebornfree@gmail.com , +91—9930325174
Mentee
Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat
What you need to know about me :
I am very slow, in reacting, but will promise, will always give you response, even at
the last minute. I love eating out, with ample sleep… no compromise with sleep..
My favorite game, UFC free hand boxing, but never played . I am presently the Head
School Leadership Academy SCERT J & K
Professional experience:
As Nodal Officer , SDMC (School Development & Management Commitee), ICT/CAL
Centres 2017-2020, I have had an insight into leadership and management skills.
I have been the Master facilitator for Heads of Institutions & system level
Functionaries training & capacity Building since 2013 onwards to til date.
Earlier, as Lecturer in Economics at the Dept. Edu Govt. of J & K from 2009-2017, I
have been involved in teaching and curriculum design. I have also worked as
Statistical officer NSSo (FoD) , MOSPI Govt of India in 2005-2006 . My current job
profile is that of Educational Administrator & Facilitator, School Development &
Leadership Programme and as planner for Annual Work Plan & Budget for
the UT . Of J & K,
Ongoing Projects:
Chief Investigator of School Leadership for large Scale Reforms: Effects on Students,
Teachers & their classroom Practices in Jammu and Kashmir , Member of Herbal Garden Scheme.
What I love about ESD: I start recognizing my contribution to world by the ESD.
Main Interests : Biodiversity conservation, Ground water issue, organic production
& consumption.
Contact Details : +91- 7006555366, sfyphdeco@gmail.com
Mentor
Prof. Dr. Shamita Kumar
What you need to know about me: Sincere, passionate, perfectionist,
curious, hopelessly optimistic, taskmaster, professor, mom! I am not on
Facebook and this is all you are going to get about me!!
Professional experience:
I have been associated with the Bharati Vidyapeeth University for the last 25
years and as a Guest Faculty at the University of Cologne, Germany for the
last 8 years. I am presently Professor and coordinate diverse
projects related to environment science, education for SD and geospatial
technologies (my three hats!) Over these twenty five years I have been
involved with diverse aspects of environment education and ESD ranging
from innovative school programs to larger programs that have impacted the
policy environment in India. I bring with me my experience of having
worked in EE/ESD in diverse sociocultural environments in several states of
India over the last two decades. My work includes working with diverse target groups ranging from youth, teachers, students, personnel from
industry, government and community on capacity building programs, locale specific sustainability initiatives, and curriculum development. My
special interests are in biodiversity, traditional knowledge, sustainable
cities, use of ICT in education and everything that deals with sustainability. A key focus of my work is capacity building for ESD, designing and implementing ESD programs/material, analyzing ESD practices, etc.
What I love about ESD:
Sustainability, my life force! Education, my mantra!
Main Interests : Conservation, Technology for SD, ESD
Interests within ESD: Capacity Building, Curriculum Development, Pedagogy,
Monitoring and Evaluation, Indigenous knowledge/Traditional practices and
ESD, planning of ESD programs across target groups
Contact Details : +91-9422033021, +91-20-24375684,
shamita@bvieer.edu.in
m , +91—9930325174
Mentor
Dr. Shivam S. Trivedi
What you need to know about me:
A crazy nature lover who can go on exploring natural wilderness if travelling
was free. I am currently working as Scientist at Naoroji Godrej Centre for
Plant Research (NGCPR), Pune
Professional experience:
As Program Officer at BVIEER Pune , I was involved in implementing
environment education, biodiversity conservation projects and
developing nature interpretation centre. and developing State
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for conservation of biodiversity.
As Project Associate at IITM Chennai , I worked on on- ground implementation of project on studying the changes in flow paerns of non-perennial
water streams. As Asst. Manager CSR – Praj Industries , I Initiated biodiversity awareness programs for employees of Praj Industries,
implementing Introduction to Basic Technology – Skill Development (CSR
Project), . Livelihood Development, and monitoring Business Sustainability . Now as Research Scientist at Shri Firodia Trust, Force Motors Ltd. , I
am developing and designing database on History of Environment
Management in India.
Ongoing Projects:
Developing nursery of indigenous and native plants ,
Eco-restoration , Interpretation centre , Eco and agro tourism Eco development , Sustainable livelihood
What I love about ESD: Caring for others
Main Interests : Education (SDG4), Climate Change (SDG13), Nature and Biodiversity Conservation (SDG14 & 15)
Contact Details : +91-7709159907 ., trivedi.shivam07@gmail.com 7006555366, sfyphdeco@gmail.com
Mentor
Rajeshwari M. Gorana
What you need to know about me: If I were not working for EE and
ESD, I would love to pick up work as a postmaster in a tiny town at the
end of the world so that I can read books all the while. Currently I am
freelancing as a Consultant working with NGOs like Mahila Housing SEWA Trust, Foundation for Ecological Security., etc.
Professional experience:
I have mainly worked as Programme Coordinator, Centre from
Environment Education from 2002-2017 handling various projects undertaken at CEE. Since 2017, I have started working as Independent Consultant.
Ongoing Projects:
¨ Evaluating “Making Amalner ODF free”.
¨ Climate Risk Insurance for Urban poor
¨ Editing Urban Heat Action knowledge products of IRADe
What I love about ESD: Many ways to do ESD.
¨ The exciting possibility of believing that we can make human civilization more mindful.
Main Interests : Environment Education, IEC (information, education
and communication), instructional design, pedagogy, Climate Change
Communication, Gender, SDGs, training
Contact Details : +91—9825647784 , rajinmg@gmail.com sfyphdeco@gmail.com
Mentor
Dr. Kranti Yardi
What you need to know about me: A nature lover at heart .
, a core educator in practice . I am currently working as Professor at
BVIEER., Pune. I have done my Ph.D. in Forest Ecology and my
interest in wildlife ranges from bats to cats.
Professional experience: Besides teaching post-graduate
students of Environment Science and Wildlife for around 25 years
now, I have been involved in various research projects
with the government and non-governmental sectors . I have mainly
worked in the field of environment education and have been running
school programmes for the last 10 years. I have also been involved
in textbook wring for EVS in Maharashtra for classes XI and XII.
For me, teaching, training, research and coordination co-exist.
Ongoing Projects: I am working on a project on ESD in
Biodiversity in schools of Sangli district and Western Ghats in
Maval and Mulshi Talukas in Pune .
What I love about ESD: It is action-oriented and empowers
learners to think and carry out work. It is related to our day-to-day
lives.
Main Interests : According to me there is a lack of awareness in everything we do : right from growing crops to cooking foods. We need
to rethink and do things differently in a more sustainable way.
Contact Details : 91+ 9422504655, kranti@bvieer.edu.in
Mentor
Sanskriti Menon
What you need to know about me: “These days, I have a hazy vision of
the world coz I got a new pair of glasses made, but gave my old
prescription! That's the kind of mistake I am trying to avoid in my ESD
work – use old prescriptions for new visions!” I am currently working
at Centre of Environment Education , Ahmadabad,
Professional experience:
While working at CEE , I have been involved in the following :
¨ Developed curricula and textbooks for the compulsory EE
subject for the higher secondary stage for the Maharashtra
Education Dept
¨ Community-based education on urban sustainability issues
¨ Oversight of a range of school-based EE initiatives especially in
central India
What I love about ESD: Passion and Engagement make life meaningful
Main Interests : School-based environmental education,
education for biodiversity conservation, urban issues (like
transportation and waste, participatory governance)
Contact Details : +91 9822455250 , sanskriti.menon@ceeindia.org
sfyphdeco@gmail.com
Mentor
Saransh Sugandh
What you need to know about me:
“You have heard that adage about the argumentative Indian - Oh yes, that is
true about me and the 1.35 billion of us- I just think I am mildly beer at it
but then everyone else on the bus also thinks the same, hence the din 😛 “
I am the Founder of INVAARTA COMMUNICATIONS, a firm which has
worked with a range of international and national agencies, research
institutions and implementation bodies in developing communication
products and processes (films, design, writing and workshops) in the fields of
education, gender, energy, waste management, public health, climate
change and sustainable development over the years.
Professional experience:
Filmmaker and Researcher in the domain of Climate Change and Sustainable
Development for the past 10 years (TERI, UNESCO, GIZ, JPAL, Government of
India); a background in Journalism and Economics, Stage artiste; Trainer and
Evaluator, Curator and Workshop Facilitator;
What I love about ESD:
That it allows us to explore so many disciplines and create something of true
value
Main Interests : Media and Sustainability, Urban Biodiversity, Mapping Cities
and Community learning, Gender, Inequality and Access, Sustainable
Production and Consumption
Contact Details : +91- 9899692397 , saransh@invaarta.com
Contact Details : +91—9825647784 , rajinmg@gmail.com sfyphdeco@gmail.com
On June 3, 2022, we concluded our ESD Leadership Programme India 2021-22 . The ten mentees under the guidance of their mentors completed their projects and made a presentation in the form of a 8 minute video in the front of an online audience consisting of ESD professionals, educators, government officials from SCERTs and NCERT, teachers, professors and students. We have uploaded few of the videos which give an insight into their projects.
Education for Sustainable Development ( ESD) is recognized as an integral element of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on quality education and a key enabler of all other SDGs. Education is the lynchpin of our sustainable development agenda. It needs to be incorporated into all levels of education right from pre-primary and primary to university level as well as diverse professions