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Education for Sustainable Development: Happiness as the Key to Commitment!
On July 17th and 18th, 2025, the PH Heidelberg is hosting a conference on education for sustainable development and happiness in pedagogy.
Education for Sustainable Development: Happiness as the Key to Commitment!
The Heidelberg University of Education is hosting a conference on July 17th and 18th, 2025 that will focus on the topics of education and commitment to sustainability. At this conference Dr. Ulrike Graf, Professor of Educational Science, will talk about the important connection between happiness and education for sustainable development. Loud PH Heidelberg Happiness is a multifaceted concept and is studied in many disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, psychology and education.
A central aspect of Graf's research is the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees children the right to happiness, love and understanding. This is in line with the Kingdom of Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Index, which assesses living standards and prosperity through life satisfaction. Dr. Graf distinguishes between two dimensions of happiness: the hedonic dimension, which refers to momentary happiness, and the eudaimonic dimension, which describes long-term satisfaction through relationships, work and social participation.
The role of commitment and the environment
Volunteering is another point that Dr. Graf treated. Such engagement can increase life satisfaction and foster connection to important issues. However, it turns out that happiness isn't guaranteed through commitment alone. Rather, it depends on the usefulness of the chosen activities. This aspect is also illustrated by the importance of intact nature, which contributes to happiness, while noise and pollution have a negative influence.
Education is a crucial field that promotes engagement with the world and enables individuals to make reflective decisions. Increased environmental awareness and prior knowledge can increase the willingness to commit to sustainability goals and thus take responsibility for the common good. These points were also highlighted in the discussion on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Loud Conference of Ministers of Education ESD is based on the model of sustainable development that serves current generations without endangering future ones.
Education as the key to sustainable development
The term Education for Sustainable Development was coined in 1992 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, where education was given a central role. As part of this initiative, the 2030 Agenda was created, which pursues a dual strategy: on the one hand, to promote education as part of sustainable development and, on the other hand, to anchor sustainable development in the educational content. In particular, educational goal 4 of the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on access, equity and inclusion for learners of all ages.
To achieve these goals, structural measures and political support are necessary. The Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs adopted recommendations on ESD at an early stage. A separate recommendation for “Education for Sustainable Development in Schools” is expected in 2024. Recent reports show both progress and efforts needed to implement this agenda.
Dr. With her concept of the “school subject happiness”, Graf brings an innovative element into the educational debate. The aim is to support students in their individual development through personality development and to create awareness of sustainable practices.