Comparative Analysis of Education for Sustainable Development and the Need for Experts in Sustainable Development in Croatia

Abstract

Sustainable development is three-dimensional, consisting of economic, social and environmental dimensions. Economic growth is necessary but it cannot support development by itself. The understanding that the protection of the environment and its sustainable use is as important is slowly making its way into development policies. However, although social issues, especially those related to education, are recognized as one of the three key elements of sustainable development, education for sustainable development is not implemented in Croatia on a more significant scale.
In this paper we first look at the concept of sustainable development. Secondly, we examine the concept of education for sustainable development, first by looking at the recommendations for education for sustainable development given by international organizations, and then by analysing different ways in which they are implemented in different countries and at different levels of education (pre-school, primary and secondary school, higher education). In the third part of the paper we examine the current situation in Croatia. Alongside the analysis of existing programmes and research, we present previously unpublished results of our research on the need of Croatian employers for experts in sustainable development. The results reveal that the employers in Croatia are aware of the need to employ experts for sustainable development.