Consumer Education

The objective of the theme of sustainable development is to make learners aware of the significance of consumption within their daily lives as consumers and to ensure they become responsible citizens who will preserve the future living environment. Sustainable consumption is consumption that is in harmony with natural processes, biodiversity and the principles of preserving and maintaining natural resources. It is both economically efficient and just. Consumption should not be in conflict with the aims of enhancing people's lifestyles and strengthening their communal identity. Sustainable consumption is in harmony with cultures and values. 

Objectives

Learners evaluate the long-term impacts of their choices and strive to contribute to sustainable development.  

Learners will

• Be familiar with the ecological, economic, social and cultural aspects of sustainable development and understand that taking all four into account simultaneously is essential for maintaining sustainable development.
• Be able to measure, assess and analyse changes in the natural, social, economic and cultural environments from the perspective of foresight, systems thinking and product life-cycle awareness. 

Core contents

• Morality, efficiency, economy and ecology
  • Financial management and consumer behaviour
  • Eco-efficiency and product lifecycle awareness
  • Reducing resource and energy consumption
  • Reusing, sharing, renting and borrowing items
  • Waste sorting and recycling
  • Repair and maintenance
  • Transportation optimisation
  • Utilisation rate of space and using one space for multiple purposes
  • Environmentally friendly purchases
  • Saving resources: sources of energy / alternative energy and water
  • Reuse, recycling and sorting
  • Economic and low-emission methods of transport
  • Safety in the handling and storage of hazardous materials
  • Reducing technological waste
  • Alternatives to chemicals
  • Products with eco-labels
     
• Foresight
  • Global responsibility for the future
  • History of lifestyles and consumption
  • Positive motivation
  • Ethical motivation and consciousness
  • Systems thinking
     
• Culture, community and values
  • Nurturing local cultural traditions and customs
  • Preserving the cultural environment
  • Multiculturalism
  • Advertising and entertainment