Enhancing Sustainability Development in Macao Through a Green Educational Program: An Action Research Study

This dissertation reports a qualitative research methodology that embraced an Action Research approach. This action research study examined the effects of implementing a Green Education program to increase learners understanding of sustainability. The primary purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of a sustainability program using The Burns Model of Sustainability Pedagogy as a framework to promote sustainability development in Macao. Subsequently, the study sought to find reasons and potential solutions to address sustainability development in Macao and why it is not being holistically conveyed to Macao's society, lacking any connection to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, especially when addressing education. Findings reveal that program design and structure were the backbone to facilitate transformational learning, influencing the research participants in changing their daily habits to turn them into leaders capable of addressing sustainability issues in the future. The participants developed a deeper understanding of sustainability through concrete, personal experiences and activities that promoted active learning, participation and critical thinking and self-reflection. To better promote Educational Sustainability Development in Macao, the study underpins the need to carefully plan and design an education program to promote understanding of sustainability that empower and encourage individuals to become powerful change agents sustainable development. It provides several suggestions and tools to promote Education for Sustainable Development in Macao.