Educating for Sustainability in Galapagos, Ecuador : Practical reflections on how citizens of all origins can contribute our grains of sand for more balanced communities

Ecuadorian law requires a balance of conservation and sustainable development in planning for the Galapagos island communities to coexist with the celebrated World Heritage Site of Galapagos National Park. What is the current development policy? What main social issues challenges sustainable development policy? What role does education play in resolving these issues? The central hypothesis is twofold: human development is a vital co-condition to achieve a balance of conservation and sustainable development, and education plays an important, though not independent, role in achieving better leadership, equitable governance, and collective behavioral change to meet sustainable development policy goals. Research findings suggest that, while education does play a role, lessons learned in informal education processes (living in community) have a greater impact on whether citizens will adapt their lifestyles to sustainable development policy or not. This work thus recommends actions to strengthen all education processes and public administration in the islands. Collectively these efforts will not only help educate for sustainability but also promote adapted lifestyles as well.