Young people make up nearly 20 per cent of the world’s population and are eager to take part in decisions and actions for sustainable development – the future of the world is, after all, their future.

Education for Sustainable Development's objective is to inform and mobilize young people all over the world in activities contributing to global sustainable development by means of an integral approach which, through transdisciplinarity, combines education, health, population, information and cultural activities.

ESD thus seeks to:

• enhance the active participation of young people in community actions leading to sustainable development;
• promote among young people a healthy lifestyle tolerance and non-violence;
• promote gender-sensitive socialization and education and to empower young people, particularly girls, to participate in society and national development

Young people are not only learners but also consumers and concerned by social, cultural, economic and environmental questions. Thus they play a key role in shaping the future and determining patterns of consumption.