Like most other regions, South America is faced with serious environmental and social pressures due to over exploitation of natural resources by a growing population. Having hosted the 1992 Earth Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the region is well aware of the importance of sustainable development. Efforts are underway to promote sustainable lifestyles through integrating Education for Sustainable Development in curricula at all levels.

Centre for Education and Training for Sustainable Development
The Centre for Education and Training for Sustainable Development has been established by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico. The centre is responsible for capacity building of individuals, groups and institutions to improve the national environment and develop policies leading to sustainable development.

Latin America Regional Mobilization Meeting
In November 2006, UNESCO and the Earth Charter Centre for Education for Sustainable Development co-organised a Latin American regional meeting in Costa Rica for awareness raising awareness and creating momentum among stakeholders for promoting DESD.

The meeting also highlighted linkages between efforts to increase literacy rates and Education for Sustainable Development in order to develop a common strategy for complimentary initiatives in the Latin American region.

Latin American and Caribbean Programme on Environmental Education within the Framework of Sustainable Development
The Latin American and Caribbean Programme on Environmental Education within the Framework of Sustainable Development was presented by the Government of Venezuela at the 14th Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean held in Panama City in November 2003. The programme proposed that all development work in Latin America and the Caribbean should be framed within the principles of sustainable development. The programme proposed an agreement between Latin American countries to establish a permanent regional mechanism to foster coordination of policies and stimulate development projects, communication, exchange and mutual support among governments as well as other stakeholders involved in the development of environmental education.