A new financial literacy toolkit focusing on personal finance management was launched at the PERL conference in March 2012. This toolkit is the third in the Active Methodology Images and Objects series and aims at helping learners gain knowledge about personal finance and terms related to this theme, as well as helping them apply this understanding in an integrated manner in their daily lives. The toolkit provides an original card game which can be used as a part of the learning process.

PERL’s 2nd international conference was successfully held on March 19-20, 2012 focusing on paths towards need satisfaction beyond excessive consumption of goods and services. Tim Jackson of the University of Surrey joined other speakers in discussing sustainable lifestyles, equity and the “value/action gap”.

PERL’s student essay competition entitled: 'Can You Imagine A Sustainable World Beyond Consumption?' was won by Oviya Govinda, from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India.   Oviya Govinda attended the PERL conference in Berlin and made valuable contributions. 40 essays were received from students all around the world.  

Anita Teel, student at the Technical University of Berlin won the PERL international student video competition with her entry about ”Coffee to stay”. Anita’s video examines the unsustainable nature of “coffee to go” and encourages the use of reusable coffee cups to reduce the negative impacts on the environment of our coffee drinking behavior.

The Partners of the PERL work group "Teacher training modules and courses" created a Module description for teachers of 12-15 year old students. “Global awareness education” is a Module description presenting a scenario that can be created in the class room of teacher trainers.  

A new PERL booklet, “Learning to Transform Oneself and Society", focuses on education for sustainable consumption and is the second in a series which provides an overview of policies and practices from countries around the globe. The booklet presents pedagogical insights from the core curriculum: “Here and Now! Education for Sustainable Consumption” and concrete references to relevant examples.

Representatives from countries in East, West and Southern Africa met at the PERL Regional Network meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania the 24^th-25^th January 2012 to further develop Africa-based activities for education and research about responsible living. The consultations focused on African perspectives on sustainable development.

Ole Erik Yrvin, senior advisor at the Norwegian Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, was the recipient of the Tower Person Award for Consumer Education for 2012. Yrvin received the award in recognition of the many years during which he has promoted consumer education in Norway, the Nordic and Baltic region, as well as Europe.