The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) 2005-14 was officially launched in Tonga today, September 12. with a ceremony, accompanied by traditional dances performed by primary school and kindergarten children.

During the launching at the International Dateline Hotel the Minister of Education, Women's Affairs and Culture, Dr Tevita Palefau, announced that Government will establish a national taskforce for the Decade to be chaired by the Central Planning Department. The goal is to increase the meaningful involvement of all sections of the community in working towards the country's long-term development needs.

The Ministry of Education in a statement, said that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a vision of education that seeks to empower all people to take responsibility and to create a sustainable future.

"ESD views education at its broadest sense recognising that the formal schools system is just one aspect of a lifelong learning that may take place through non-formal institutions and through informal situations such as the media, peer groups and traditional learning systems."

The years 2005-14 are declared by the United Nations to be the Decade of ESD in an effort to a global commitment to education as a key tool in achieving sustainability.

The Minister of Education endorsed a Framework for Education for Sustainable Development in 2006 and an Action Plan is drafted. But Tonga is the first island to take significant steps to observe the Decade and implement the ESD framework.

Representatives from government, donor agencies, civil society, businesses and youth attended the event today.