Staff
The hub launched by the UAE Ministry of Education will highlight the importance of education in addressing climate change
Abu Dhabi, Nov 22, 2023: The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced the launch of the Greening Education Hub. The hub is launched as part of the MoE’s efforts to achieve the goals of the UAE Green Education Partnership Roadmap in preparation for the UAE’s hosting of COP28.
The hub aims to highlight the importance of education in addressing climate issues and the need to include education in the official discussions during COP28. The COP28 conference will be held at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12.
Announcing the launch of the hub, UAE Minister of Education Dr. Al Falasi noted that the UAE is located in a desert climate, characterised by intense heat and arid conditions. “In the face of these challenges, the country remains steadfast in its commitment to prioritising resource conservation through innovative solutions,” he said. The minister stated that the Greening Education Hub themed ‘Legacy from the Land of Zayed’ was born out of months of collaboration with UNESCO and is a leap forward in placing education at the centre of climate action. “We are on a mission to leave a legacy and ensure that the upcoming COP events continue to ignite the passion for effective climate-related education. This way, we can create a lasting positive impact on the future of our planet. By unlocking the full potential of education to address climate change, we empower our youth to lead the change, paving the way towards a more sustainable tomorrow for all,” he added.
Assistant Under Secretary for the Care and Capacity Building Sector at the UAE Ministry of Education Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi said, “Earlier this year, we launched the UAE’s Green Education Partnership Roadmap in preparation for COP28 in cooperation with UNESCO and UNICEF. In line with our commitment to achieving the goals of the partnership, we are working across four pillars: Greening Schools, Greening Curriculum, Greening Capacities and Greening Communities. Four zones of the Greening Education Hub are themed around these pillars, with the fifth dedicated to the overall Greening Education Partnership and the sixth including the main stage (Erth Zayed).”
The ‘Greening Education Hub – Legacy from the Land of Zayed’ hosted by the MoE during COP28 over the course of 13 days will include more than 250 sessions and workshops, comprising 127 international sessions and 151 national sessions. The hub has attracted participants from 38 countriesand has the support and involvement of 99 NGOs and 36 national entities.
To enrich the discussions, 70 speakers will participate in the hub’s activities, sharing their expertise and insights. The MoE has also fostered partnerships with more than 40 international partners, resulting in the development of more than 30 projects and activations around climate education. The Greening Schools zone will showcase sustainable infrastructure programmes, models and designs for eco-friendly schools, as well as successful case studies of schools and universities implementing environmental programmes, renewable energy solutions and sustainable initiatives. Additionally, the zone will present interactive displays and virtual simulations demonstrating the integration of sustainable practices in school and university facilities and daily operations.
The Greening Capacities zone will outline ways for the education system to achieve a systemic and comprehensive impact on climate change adaptation. It will also highlight the role of educators as change agents in mitigating the repercussions of climate change.
The Greening Curriculum zone will focus on integrating climate change, environmental awareness and sustainable development into the curricula. The sessions in this zone will also feature innovative teaching methodologies, educational resources and technology-based tools that engage students in experiential learning about sustainability.
The Greening Communities zone will introduce community-led initiatives that promote sustainable practices in education and engage local stakeholders, including parents, NGOs and businesses. It will also present successful partnerships between schools and communities, and provide networking spaces for stakeholders to connect, share experiences, and foster collaborations to address common sustainability challenges at the community level.
