The Quest for Policy Coherence in Education for Sustainable Development: An Analysis of Conceptualisations among International Organisations

Abstract: This study aims to analyse the international institutional support behind the concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Specifically, it investigates if there is coherence in the conceptualisations and policy frameworks on ESD among International Organisations (IOs) and moreover in relation to the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development. This study uses a qualitative research design, following a text analysis approach, and draws on literature and theory on Sustainable Development, ESD and International Relations. For the latter domain, theory on Network Governance, International Organisations and Policy Coherence is particularly used. The results show that there is a general lack of involvement among IOs in the ESD policy domain. Moreover, a lack of both intra- and inter-organisational coherence in the conceptualisations of ESD is identified among the actors. A common tendency appears to be the focus on aspects of ESD that correspond to the organisation’s own agenda. Finally, in the light of the theoretical framework is argued that incoherence could diminish the influence of IOs in international policy processes on ESD, and moreover hollow out the ESD concept, hinder its implementation and ultimately threaten its long-term survival.