The strength of the Finnish ENSI project lies in the cooperation achieved between teachers, researchers studying environmental education and administrators. Another feature that has enriched the project is that it has attracted schools from different levels in the general educational system, and has even included some teachers working in vocational schools. In between the official meetings, the teachers, research staff and administrator have worked together in a collaborative learning environment by means of the Knowledge Forum software.

One characteristic feature of the Finnish ENSI project has been its investigatory approach, adopted not only by the researchers but also by the teachers and students involved, who have gathered environmental information and made active attempts to influence the development of their own environment. Some of the participating teachers have been doing doctoral research in this connection.

The Finnish ENSI project has placed great weight from the outset on new ideas, which are an essential part of all teaching aimed at promoting sustainable development. These have included:

1. allowing teachers to invstigate and develop their own work, with the accent on the importance of action research
2. laying emphasis on the importance of cooperation between schools and the surrounding society and its economy
3. the developing in pupils and teachers of skills that are becoming increasingly necessary in society, such as attempts at developing initiative and creativity and understanding broader connections.

The Finnish ENSI Project has prepared a book “Developing Sustainable Education in Schools”, which was published (in Finnish) by the Finnish National Board of The Flemish Community of Belgium has been an ENSI member since 1986.

Agenda 21 and the ENSI philosophy have inspired the development of the cross-curricular theme of environmental education in the Flemish educational system (compulsory education).

The Strategy for Education and Training for Sustainable Development and Implementation Plan 2006-2014

  sustain_strategy.pdf

Sustainable development in education: Implementation of Baltic 21E-programme and Finnish strategy for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

  www.minedu.fi/export/sites/default/OPM/Julkaisut/2006/liitteet/tr07.p df?lang=en

Education for Global Responsibility - Finnish Perspectives

  www.minedu.fi/OPM/Julkaisut/2007/Education_for_Global_Responsibility. html?lang=en

School and the Environment: ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS

  www.koulujaymparisto.fi/index-en.htm