Maidenhead & Windsor

We need to learn to think and act differently if we are to achieve a sustainable future.

That's the message of the worldwide challenge of sustainability – a challenge which the Maidenhead Royal Borough is tackling head-on with its innovative draft Learning for Sustainability (LfS) Framework.

Everyone involved in learning – in Maidenhead schools, colleges, youth and community organisations and businesses - is being encouraged to pick up the sustainability gauntlet and get involved by commenting on the draft framework.

Cllr Mary Rose Gliksten, leader of the Maidenhead council, said: "Sustainability is not just another buzzword – it is all about our vision for the future and what we should be doing now to make that vision achievable.

"In simple terms – if we think of our use of resources such as fuel, we will need to be over four times more efficient to ensure that the environmental impact is no greater in the future than it is today. And that means learning to think and act differently.

"Our Learning for Sustainability Framework is an ambitious attempt to bring sustainability on to the agenda of all those involved in learning, whether in the formal education sector or in youth and community organisations or even businesses."

The draft framework sets out that Learning for Sustainability should develop:
· an understanding of how environmental, economic and social issues are interlinked
· skills in understanding the complexity of our world, in consensus building and decision-making
· the ability to identify unsustainable practices, find the causes and plan and implement solutions.

The LfS Framework supports the Maidenhead borough's Community Strategy, which recognises that schools and the whole community need to understand the importance of sustainability issues if the vision, values and strategic priorities of the strategy are to become a reality.

Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: "Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in wealthy countries like the UK enjoy lifestyles shared only by a minority of the world's population and yet are dependent upon the use of the majority of the Earth's available resources. You don't have to be an Einstein to work out that there is a problem here and it is a problem that will only be solved if we are learning for sustainability."

Tim Morton, the Maidenhead borough's LfS co-ordinator, said: "Most people know that the way we are running the world is not sustainable but we cannot be sure what a sustainable world will look like. Therefore we need to be learning for sustainability if we are ever to forge a sustainable future for everyone."

The draft LfS Framework can be viewed or downloaded at www.rbwm.gov/business/ecolfs_index.htm together with an online version of the consultation form. Alternatively you can request a copy of the framework and consultation form from Victoria Wood on 01628 796291. Consultation forms should be returned to the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, by Tuesday January 31.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead