TAM Report / Lebanon - Education for Sustainable Development

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Education for Sustainable Development: The contribution of higher education institutions towards the implementation of the UNSDGs, with a focus on SDG4

Type of Event: Webinar

Modality: Online

Country: Lebanon

Dates: 23–24 September 2025

Participants: A total of 148 participants registered for the webinar, with 99 participants attending over the two days (59% female). Participants represented more than 20 higher education institutions and included academics, researchers, programme designers, continuing education experts, administrative staff, representatives of the business sector and NGOs, as well as participants from outside Lebanon, mainly from Syria.

THEMES COVERED

• Higher education’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on SDG4
• Policies and frameworks for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at global, European, national, and institutional levels
• Embedding sustainability and ESD competencies into academic curricula across disciplines
• Research, stewardship, and community engagement for sustainable development
• Sustainability competencies, systems thinking, and transformative learning
• Universities as sustainability hubs and drivers of societal transformation

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Developed a deeper understanding of higher education’s potential role in advancing SDG4 and the broader SDG agenda.
  • Examined European and international frameworks, policies, and good practices related to Education for Sustainable Development.
  • Reflected on institutional and national challenges affecting the integration of sustainability in Lebanese higher education.
  • Identified priority actions for embedding sustainability across curricula, research, governance, and community engagement.

OVERVIEW

The two-day webinar examined how higher education institutions can act as catalysts for sustainable development, with a particular focus on SDG4 (Quality Education). The programme combined keynote presentations by EU experts, contributions from local experts, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. Topics addressed included European and international policy frameworks for ESD, national commitments and challenges in Lebanon, and institutional approaches to integrating sustainability into education, research, and civic engagement.

Interactive elements included panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and a reflection and synthesis activity engaging participants through digital tools. Discussions explored systemic challenges such as fragmented policies, limited institutional capacity, and the gap between awareness and action, while highlighting good practices already present in Lebanese higher education. The webinar concluded with reflections on pathways forward and the identification of priority areas for strengthening the role of universities in advancing sustainable development.

THE FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Towards a Community of Academics over SDG Issues

Dates: 8 November 2025 (with further development of the SDG Praxis Network planned through 2026)

Audience: Higher Education Institutions and policymakers, including the Directorate General of Higher Education, NEO and HERE representatives, academics, and sustainable development advocates in the higher education sector. 

Description: The follow-up activity aims to strengthen cooperation and dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG4, within the higher education sector. Building on the results of the TAM, the activity includes stakeholder meetings, dissemination of pre-TAM survey results, and the development of recommendations for policymakers and higher education institutions. It also supports the creation of a focus group and the establishment of an SDG Praxis Network, designed as a community of academics and practitioners committed to advancing sustainable development in higher education.

The initiative will facilitate the exchange of practices and collaboration among universities, policymakers, and experts working on sustainability issues. Through an online learning community and structured engagement activities, participants will share experiences, develop proposals, and contribute to strengthening national and institutional approaches to integrating SDGs in higher education policies, teaching, research, and governance. The activity is expected to lead to published recommendations, increased coordination among stakeholders, and the launch of the SDG Praxis Network as a platform for continued collaboration and policy dialogue.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Embed sustainability holistically across higher education institutions, integrating it into education, research, community engagement, and institutional operations to support systemic transformation.
• Mainstream Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across all academic disciplines, ensuring that sustainability principles are embedded throughout curricula rather than limited to stand-alone courses.
• Strengthen institutional structures and governance for sustainability, improving coherence between research, teaching, and institutional strategies to support sustainability-driven innovation and transformation.
• Integrate ESD and sustainability criteria into accreditation and quality assurance frameworks, encouraging institutions to systematically incorporate SDG-related objectives in their programmes and operations.
• Establish national coordination mechanisms or committees to facilitate exchange of practices, pool resources, and monitor the integration of SDGs across higher education institutions.
• Promote active student engagement as partners in sustainability learning, including project-based, interdisciplinary, and community-based learning approaches.
• Enhance collaboration among higher education institutions, government, industry, and civil society, strengthening national, regional, and international partnerships to advance SDG implementation in higher education.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• Macintyre, T., Tilbury, D. and Wals, A.E.J. (eds.) (2024) Education and learning for sustainable futures: 50 years of learning for environment and change. London: Routledge.
  doi: 10.4324/9781003433030.
• Ministry of Economy and Trade – Lebanon (n.d.) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Support to SMEs. Available at: https://www.economy.gov.lb/en/services/support-to-smes/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs