On #WorldEnvironmentDay (5 June 2024) MEdIES was happy to take part in the global launch event of UNESCO (Greening Education Partnership-GEP) that presented two concrete tools for its Member States and educational communities around the world !
Specifically during the event two books were launched:
Greening Curriculum Guidance
A practical manual providing, for the first time, a common understanding of what climate education should consist of and how countries can mainstream environmental topics across curricula, with detailed expected learning outcomes according to age group (from 5-year-olds to 18+). It focuses on the importance of promoting active learning and designing a range of hands-on activities.
Green school quality standard
Developed in partnership with other UN agencies, civil society and countries, this Quality Standard sets the minimum requirements on how to create a “green school” by promoting an action-oriented approach. It recommends that all schools set up green governance committees including students, teachers and parents to oversee sustainable management. It also calls to encourage teacher training, conduct audits of energy, water, food and waste audits, while alsocalling for stronger ties with the wider community to help students address environmental issues at local level.
More resources from UNESCO on climate education:
- Youth demand quality climate education: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383615
- Getting schools climate ready (2021) https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379591
- Teachers have their say: motivation, skills and opportunities to teach education for sustainable development and global citizenship(2021) https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379914
- UNESCO-UNFCCC webinar series on Climate Education https://www.unesco.org/en/education-sustainable-development/cop28-cce-webinars
If your school is interested in getting aligned with the school standard, Contact: gep@unesco.org
Read more on the event of 5/6/2024 here.
Find out more about the Greening Education Partnership (GEP) here