Implementation of education for sustainable development (EfSD) in the community still faces many obstacles and challenges. It is not only because of the problems in developing methods to maintain and preserve bio-diversity and conservation of biodiversity, but also the willingness and the knowledge of society. Something that is considered good and scientific in the classroom is not necessarily acceptable for society. It may even be perceived as contrary to public belief, desire and rituals that have long prevailed and developed in their lives.
"Therefore, EfSD implementation requires a strategy that fits the expected results," professor from Department of Sociology, Prof. Dr. Sunyoto Usman, M.A, explained in the workshop of the Module Development of EfSD implementation Based on Community Development, I-MHERE Project Sub activity 3.1.2.3, at Faculty of Biology, Wednesday (7/3).
The alternative strategy needs to be built on the assumption that in community there is knowledge about the problems that arise as a consequence of environmental degradation. However, the people are powerless to develop such knowledge because they are always inferior to the business interests of the product of conspiracy or collusion between the authorities and employers.
"The alternative strategy also sees that the EfSD implementation will be difficult to obtain optimal results while ignoring the people’s participation in decision-making process related to governance and delivery mechanisms that accompany the implementation of EfSD," Sunyoto said.
According to Sunyoto Usman, the alternative strategy offers a few things. First is the social structure of the EfSD target groups (subject). Second is EfSD supporting factors, such as the communication pattern, and third is the process of knowledge dissemination and institutionalization of the EfSD principle to the target groups.
"However, public participation and strengthening local institutional capacity still need to be done," he added.
Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Dr. Retno Peni Sancayaningsih, M.Sc., said that it will be easier for UGM to do international collaboration through the EfSD implementation based on research and community. UGM has a great deal of potential for both learning materials and research that has led to EfSD.
"Select the programs which are the most ready and strategic to be directed to EfSD program," Peni said.
In order to secure continuity, EfSD program, according to Peni, still adheres to the three components, namely economic sustainability, social justice, and social sustainability.
Previously, the PIC of I-MHERE Activity 3.1, Faculty of Biology, Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Si, said that Workshop on Module Development of EfSD implementation Based on Community Development took place over two days, 6-7 March 2012. On the first day there was a field trip to the village of Kemadang, Tanjungsari Sub-district, Gunungkidul regency, which is a village under the guidance of Faculty of Biology – and Tentrem village in Imogiri, Bantul regency.