GAP implementation structures in Germany
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), in its role as lead ministry, has established a National Platform, expert forums and partner networks in order to drive forward GAP implementation in Germany.
National Platform
The National Platform – the supreme steering body – brings together approximately 40 high-level representatives of politics, science, industry and society. Based on their expertise as well as input from expert forums and partner networks, the members of the Platform defined strategic objectives and adopted 2017 a National Plan of Action to implement the ESD in Germany.
The National Platform strengthens awareness of ESD at both national and international level. High importance is given to scale up ESD from successful project based implementation to mainstream ESD into all aspects of education.
Chaired by BMBF Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Jens Brandenburg, the National Platform meets bi-annually. Besides the BMBF, the Federal Ministries for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) and Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are taking part in the Platform, as are representatives of the 16 federal states, Länder, who are responsible for formal education and schooling. Platform members serve as advocates of and multipliers for ESD – also within their own organizations and institutions.
Within the National Platform, the bodies also work together in (so-called) working groups to discuss specific topics (cross-commitory). The different working groups meet individually.
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The National Platform ESD (NP) consists of approximately 40 members from various social spheres. Two advisers assist the platform: a Scientific Adviser and an International Adviser.
The chair is held by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The National Platform is the supreme steering body for the national implementation of ESD.
The National Platform can recommend key topics to the involved Expert Forums.
The following Expert Forums represent the different education sectors and do the preparatory work for the National Platform.
- Expert Forum Early Childhood Education
- Expert Forum School
- Expert Forum Vocational Education and Training
- Expert Forum Higher Education
- Expert Forum Informal and Non-Formal Learning
- Expert Forum Local Authorities
- Youth Panel youpaN
The Expert Forums each meet three to four times a year.
Each Expert Forum sends out two members as a chair and a co-chair to the National Platform, provides recommendations and input to topics and statements. The Youth Panel delegates a spokesperson to the National Platform. In addition, representatives of the Youth Panel are part of each Expert Forum.
The Expert Forums cooperate closely with the Partner Networks. These Networks connect people who work in the field of ESD. Each Expert Forum has a seat for a member of the respective Partner Network.
The activities of the Partner Networks are coordinated from the body of the Partner Forum, which also sends out a representative to the National Platform. The Partner Forum organizes the "Open Days", a regional event.
Once a year the bodies including the Expert Forums, the Youth Panel and the Partner Networks meet up at the annual meeting.
The National Platform has an annual meeting at a working level as well as an annual meeting at a decision-making level.
The meeting of the Forum Chairs, Partner Networks and the Youth Panel is held twice a year. The members can discuss current topics there. The meeting of the Forum Chairs, Partner Networks and the Youth Panel is held twice a year. The members can discuss current topics there.
Within the National Platform the bodies also work together in (so called) working groups to discuss specific topics (cross-commitory). The different working groups meet individually.
Expert Forums
Six Expert Forums and a Youth Panel consult the National Platform in developing a National Plan of Action:
- Early Childhood Education
- School
- Vocational Education and Training
- Higher Education
- Informal and Non-Formal Learning
- Local Authorities
Consisting of 15 to 20 members, Expert Forums deal with concerns, facts and proposals for topics from both the National Platform and the Partner Networks. Furthermore, Expert Forums provide corresponding expert reports and analyses, and formulate recommendations for action. They promote the discourse on the establishment of ESD in the respective areas. They also pool expertise on the relevant topics and act as the interface between the National Platform and the Partner Networks.
Expert Forums meet three to four times a year.
Partner Networks
All working groups involved in the previous UN Decade of ESD decided to continue to participate as Partner Networks. Today, 8 Partner Networks bring together a diverse group of stakeholders:
- Early childhood education
- Initial and Continuing Vocational Training,
- Non-formal Education and informal learning,
- Local Authorities,
- Media,
- Economy and Consumption,
- Biological Diversity,
- Cultural Education and Cultural Policy.
Partner Networks link stakeholders and experts. They cooperate closely with the Expert Forums, introduce important concerns and topics raised by diverse stakeholders and lobbies and encourage other stakeholders to take an interest in ESD.
At the same time, Partner Networks set their own priorities and objectives, organize events and prepare recommendations and handouts, for example. Partner Networks thus act as drivers for implementation, initiate good-practice and act as multipliers for ESD in Germany.
The activities of the Partner Networks are coordinated from the body of the Partner Forum, which also sends out a representative to the National Platform. The Partner Forum organizes the "Open Days", a regional event.
Once a year the bodies including the Expert Forums, the Youth Panel and the Partner Networks meet up at the annual meeting.
Advisers
The National Platform is supported by two advisers:
- Scientific Adviser: Prof. Dr Gerhard de Haan, Institut Futur for Futures Research of the Free University Berlin, acts as Scientific Adviser. He is supported by members of staff who monitor the national implementation of the National Action Plan ESD and issue recommendations on ESD and its development as a field of learning and action.
- International Adviser: Former Minister Walter Hirche, Chairman of the Expert Committee on Education of the German Commission for UNESCO, ensures links with international ESD processes in his role as International Adviser. He is supported by an office at the Secretariat of the German Commission for UNESCO, which informs the national bodies about international discussions and the status of work. Furthermore, it will ensure an exchange with international bodies as well as the inclusion of German ESD contributions in international processes.
