Adaptive capacity as an educational goal to advance policy for integrating DRR into quality education for sustainable development

Abstract This paper explores how the linkages between quality education, education for sustainable development (ESD), and disaster risk reduction (DRR) education may be strengthened and functionalised through the application of “adaptive capacity” as a common learning objective. Adaptive capacity is recognised as an important element in building social resilience and thus supporting disaster risk reduction. Five pedagogical aspects of learning for adaptive capacity are introduced as a means to strengthen pedagogical design and enhance a “phronetic approach” to sustainability learning. These pedagogical aspects are then examined from a practical standpoint through the review of four secondary DRR education cases. Learning for adaptive capacity supports pedagogical design, strengthens learning processes for competency development, and may be aligned with the main goals for achieving quality education for sustainable development – applying a well-developed curriculum, improving the quality of teaching methods, establishing a safe and effective learning environment, and inspiring cooperative and transformative learning.