Yesterday, May 3rd 2023, the first webinar of the UNESCO-UNFCCC series, Climate change education for social transformation: Whole-institution approach to greening every school, took place to discuss the question “What is a Green School?”
The webinar highlighted the United Arab Emirates strong commitment to reaching the ambitious goal of Pillar 1 of the Greening Education Partnership, calling to have at least 50% of all schools, colleges, and universities registered with a green accreditation scheme by 2030.
With its long-standing expertise within Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and its extensive network of schools across more than 90 countries, Eco-Schools has been recognised as one of the key ESD programmes to reach this goal. Out of the 50 member states already committed to the partnership, the UAE is one of early movers, spearheading the Green School movement leading up to COP28 in Dubai and beyond.
“Going forward, we hope to continue to register and certify schools to become Eco-Schools under the model of FEE”.
- H.E. Dr. Amna AlDahak Alshamsi, UAE Ministry of Education
The Greening Education Partnership aims to “prepare every learner to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to tackle climate change and to promote sustainable development.” The contribution of Ms Kaelyn, an Eco-Schools student from Malaysia, highlighted the positive impact that the programme has had on her:
“Being part of the Green Squad has helped me improve my communication, leadership and academic skills”
- Ms Kaelyn, Student, Convent Butterworth High School
Over the next year, UNESCO will work on a Green School Quality Standard in consultation with Green Schools Working Group members. The standard aims to provide a progressive, context-relevant minimum quality standard for green schools. As a supporting member of the Greening Education Partnership and the co-lead of GEP Pillar 1 on Greening Schools, Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is looking forward to supporting this work.
Webinar Panelists:
H.E. Dr. Amna AlDahak Alshamsi, Assistant Undersecretary, Care and Capacity Building Sector, Ministry of Education, UAE
Dr Pramod Kumar Sharma, Senior Director of Education, The Foundation for Environmental Education, co-coordinator of Pillar 1 on Greening Schools of the Greening Education Partnership
Ms Kaelyn, Student from Convent Butterworth High School, Eco-Schools, Malaysia
The recording of the webinar is available n English, French and Spanish
About Eco-Schools
Launched in 1994, Eco-Schools is a globally recognized programme within the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) implemented in over 90 countries worldwide. Using a Seven Step project-based learning framework and a whole-school approach, students engage in hands-on, active learning to drive positive environmental change in their school and local community.
As an accreditation scheme, the Eco-Schools programme recognizes the progressive changes made by educational institutions through the Seven Steps. The prestigious Green Flag is awarded when significant environmental and educational improvements have been achieved. The Green Flag is renewed periodically to ensure continuous positive development.
On a tertiary level, the programme is called FEE EcoCampus.
Click on the image to download the leaflet
About Foundation for Environmental Education
Established in 1981, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is one of the world's largest environmental education organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 81 countries. Eco-Schools is one out of five programmes coordinated internationally by FEE.
FEE is a supporting member of the Greening Education Partnership and the co-lead of GEP Pillar 1 on Greening Schools.