Summary of an Intercultural Practice and a Sustainability Practice in the Basque Country
- UPV/EHU
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 13
Introduction
Education plays a pivotal role in the development of more inclusive and sustainable societies.
Fostering respect, responsibility, and community engagement from early childhood is essential for shaping future generations.
In this context, initiatives such as “Basque and Interculturality in Our Town” and “Schools Towards Sustainability Network (ESenRED)” stand out as powerful examples of how education can act as a transformative force.
On one hand, promoting Basque as a language of identity and social cohesion fosters intercultural inclusion.
On the other, the ESenRED initiative encourages environmental responsibility and sustainable living from an early age.
Both practices demonstrate the potential of education to advance a more sustainable and interculturally aware society.
Intercultural Practice: “Basque and Interculturality in Our Town”
This initiative focuses on the promotion of Basque as a means of social cohesion from an intercultural perspective.
Through language immersion strategies and community involvement, it recognizes the need to tailor actions to the specific needs and opportunities of each local context.
The key objectives are:
Strengthening the use of Basque in multicultural environments.
Promoting the inclusion of families from different cultural backgrounds through language and social interaction.
Building bridges between communities using Basque as a vehicle for coexistence and mutual understanding.
Strategies employed include:
Simultaneous translation during activities and meetings.
Use of messaging apps (Telegram, WhatsApp) for real-time communication with families.
Distribution of written notes and updates for families.
Creation of a driving group supported by technical staff from the Association of Basque Municipalities (UEMA) and university advisors.
A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is used as a key tool to evaluate and guide the ongoing process.
Sustainability Practice: Schools Towards Sustainability Network (ESenRED)
ESenRED is a national network that fosters collaboration among educational centers committed to sustainable development and eco-social responsibility.
Its goal is to empower children as active agents in addressing the planet’s pressing environmental challenges.
Key activities include:
An annual seminar serving as a space for exchange and collaboration between participating networks.
The biannual “Caring for the Planet Youth Conference”, held in one of the autonomous communities involved.
The annual EsenRED Teachers’ Symposium, providing training and dialogue among educators.
Yearly sustainability actions organized and led by educational centers themselves.
ESenRED promotes:
Cooperative work and shared leadership among schools and institutions.
Transformative actions that extend beyond the classroom into the broader community.
Sustainability models that inspire change not only within schools but throughout neighborhoods and cities.
Conclusion
The initiatives “Basque and Interculturality in Our Town” and ESenRED demonstrate how education can be a catalyst for social transformation.
From their experiences, several key lessons emerge:
Education is a powerful tool for building inclusive and sustainable communities.
Active participation from families and community stakeholders is essential.
Collaboration between institutions strengthens the reach and effectiveness of educational initiatives.
These practices show that interculturality and sustainability can be successfully integrated into Early Childhood Education, reinforcing both a strong sense of cultural identity and a commitment to sustainable development.
References
Amelia Barquín and Karmele Pérez (Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences - University of Mondragón) (In collaboration with the Association of Basque Municipalities, UEMA)
Gutiérrez, J.M. (2021). Buenas prácticas de educación para el desarrollo sostenible hacia la sostenibilidad en Red – ESenRED.
Manual:
Escuelas hacia la sostenibilidad en Red (ESenRED)
(Secretaría General Técnica)
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