www.ees.uni.opole.pl ISSN paper version 1642-2597 ISSN electronic version 2081-8319 Economic and Environmental Studies Vol. 10, No. 1 (13/2010),59-70, March 2010 Correspondence Address: Valentina V. Pidlisnyuk, Kremenchug State University, Department of Ecology, vul.Pershotravneva 20, Kremenchug, Ukraine. Director of Sustainable Development and Ecological Education Center, 7/2 Stelmakha , 03041, Kyiv, Ukraine. Email: pidlisnyuk@gmail.com, tel: +38 044 240 1299; +38 044 529 7716. © 2010 Opole University Education in Sustainable Development: the role of universities Valentina PIDLISNYUK Kremenchug State University, Kremenchug, Ukraine Abstract: Sustainable development has started to be considered a core of teaching programs within the modern university. The education process requires strong methodological support and international cooperation. Current movement from environmental education to education for sustainable development are analyzed in the framework of European Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development. The specific role of university education, steps for implementation and current achievements are discussed. In this context, Ukrainian experience in terms of new courses in sustainable development, class-books and research opportunities are presented. Keywords: Environmental Education, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), European Strategy on ESD Ukrainian Experience, Role of University. 1. Introduction In the 20 th century, economic growth has resulted in substantial improvements in health, education, and the quality of life for many people. However, such growth has also caused significant deterioration of the environment. Negative impacts include (1) destruction of natural ecosystems at an alarming rate resulting in considerable losses in biodiversity, (2) tremendous increases in soil, air and water contamination, (3) accumulation of sizeable amounts of waste in the environment that neither can be assimilated by the biosphere nor managed by humans effectively, (4) global climate changes, and (5) extensive land degradation, including catastrophic deforestation (Miller and Tyler,, 1994: 235) . Impacts of economic activities have also caused disruptions in natural cycles managing nitrogen and phosphorous and increased food contamination by toxic elements, radionuclides and pathogens. Increased energy demands have