The need for transnational networks and transdisciplinary education for sustainable development in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Global South
Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
Standard
In: Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, Vol. 75, 101553, 08.2025.
Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - The need for transnational networks and transdisciplinary education for sustainable development in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the Global South
AU - Matias, Denise Margaret
AU - Kone, Mukona
AU - Karim, Paulina G.
AU - San Jose, Diana
AU - Mariano, Bryan Joel
AU - Ortiz, Andrea Monica
AU - Dubey, Pradeep K.
AU - Garcia, Gino
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/8
Y1 - 2025/8
N2 - As learning sites for sustainable development, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are unique sites that promote human–nature interactions in biodiversity conservation. BRs are part of a World Network of BRs, which provide opportunities for transnational collaborations. With the 50th anniversary of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme, we systematically analyzed literature on BRs in the Global South and assessed whether transnational connections emerged from the network especially in fulfilling the shared goal of being learning sites for sustainable development. We found little evidence of transnational networking between BRs in the Global South. While there are nonformal environmental education initiatives in BRs, there is a lack of reported transdisciplinary approaches and formal education about BRs in BRs. Furthermore, Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) is rarely integrated into initiatives. Equitable and inclusive partnerships, integration of ILK, and co-production of knowledge could be enabling factors for transdisciplinary education.
AB - As learning sites for sustainable development, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are unique sites that promote human–nature interactions in biodiversity conservation. BRs are part of a World Network of BRs, which provide opportunities for transnational collaborations. With the 50th anniversary of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme, we systematically analyzed literature on BRs in the Global South and assessed whether transnational connections emerged from the network especially in fulfilling the shared goal of being learning sites for sustainable development. We found little evidence of transnational networking between BRs in the Global South. While there are nonformal environmental education initiatives in BRs, there is a lack of reported transdisciplinary approaches and formal education about BRs in BRs. Furthermore, Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) is rarely integrated into initiatives. Equitable and inclusive partnerships, integration of ILK, and co-production of knowledge could be enabling factors for transdisciplinary education.
KW - Sustainability education
KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105009747362&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cosust.2025.101553
DO - 10.1016/j.cosust.2025.101553
M3 - Scientific review articles
AN - SCOPUS:105009747362
VL - 75
JO - Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability
JF - Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability
SN - 1877-3435
M1 - 101553
ER -