Latest news with #EducationforSustainableDevelopment
Mid East Info
08-05-2025
- Science
- Mid East Info
Abu Dhabi Recognised as a Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development by the United Nations University
As part of the Year of Community, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has successfully secured recognition for Abu Dhabi as a member of the United Nations University (UNU) network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). With this achievement, Abu Dhabi becomes the first centre of expertise for environmental education and sustainability in the GCC region. Through its digital platform naha, EAD will lead this regional mission, driving collective efforts to advance knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the adoption of best practices in education for sustainable development. This initiative aims to safeguard and sustain the environment, enhancing quality of life for current and future generations. Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said: 'The recognition of Abu Dhabi by the United Nations University as the first regional centre for environmental education in the region underscores our forward-thinking approach to sustainability. It marks our commitment to strengthening environmental awareness and education for sustainable development. By harnessing the latest innovations and modern technologies, we continue to reinforce Abu Dhabi's leadership in global environmental action.' She added: 'Environmental awareness and education are catalysts for conservation and development within our strategic framework. By broadening community engagement and forging regional and global partnerships, we are supporting the emirate's vision for a more sustainable and promising future for the generations to come.' Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environmental Information, Science, and Awareness at EAD, said: 'The naha platform forward-thinking and holistic strategy, seamlessly integrating a portfolio of initiatives and programs designed to empower community participation in environmental stewardship. These include the Sustainable Schools Initiative, recognised internationally by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Sustainable Campus Initiative, and the Sahim Citizen Science Programme. Leveraging Abu Dhabi's rich natural heritage, naha plays a key role in accelerating local and global sustainability efforts while nurturing a new generation of young leaders equipped to drive meaningful change.' He added: 'The acknowledgment of naha by the United Nations University as a Regional Centre of Expertise builds upon the extremely successful 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) held in Abu Dhabi early 2024, the launch of the Abu Dhabi Roadmap for Education for Sustainable Development, and demonstrates Abu Dhabi's commitment to the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan Challenge 6.3 that called for the establishment of an RCE in Abu Dhabi.' The Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Education for Sustainable Development network operates under a multi-stakeholder governance structure, bringing together the expertise of government entities, non-governmental organisations, universities, and international organisations. This inclusive approach ensures the effectiveness of operations, with all stakeholders committed to advancing education for sustainable development and restoring ecosystems. As part of its role, EAD will establish a Steering Committee to serve as the centre's governing body, responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing operations across multiple entities. The Agency will manage daily decision-making, operational supervision, and partner coordination. Additionally, the formation of an Advisory Committee will bring together experts and practitioners in ecosystem restoration and sustainable education to provide specialised knowledge and guidance. About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.
Al Etihad
08-05-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi secures Abu Dhabi's membership in United Nations University network of Regional Centres (RCEs) of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), first in the GCC
8 May 2025 16:10 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)As part of the Year of Community, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has secured recognition for Abu Dhabi as a member of the United Nations University (UNU) network of Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). With this achievement, Abu Dhabi becomes the first centre of expertise for environmental education and sustainability in the GCC its digital platform naha, EAD will lead this regional mission, driving collective efforts to advance knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the adoption of best practices in education for sustainable initiative aims to safeguard and sustain the environment, enhancing quality of life for current and future General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, said, 'The recognition of Abu Dhabi by the United Nations University as the first regional centre for environmental education in the region underscores our forward-thinking approach to sustainability. It marks our commitment to strengthening environmental awareness and education for sustainable development. By harnessing the latest innovations and modern technologies, we continue to reinforce Abu Dhabi's leadership in global environmental action.''Environmental awareness and education are catalysts for conservation and development within our strategic framework. By broadening community engagement and forging regional and global partnerships, we are supporting the emirate's vision for a more sustainable and promising future for the generations to come.'Executive Director of Environmental Information, Science, and Awareness at EAD, Ahmed Baharoon, said, 'The naha platform's forward-thinking and holistic strategy seamlessly integrates a portfolio of initiatives and programmes designed to empower community participation in environmental stewardship. These include the Sustainable Schools Initiative, recognised internationally by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Sustainable Campus Initiative, and the Sahim Citizen Science Programme. Leveraging Abu Dhabi's rich natural heritage, naha plays a key role in accelerating local and global sustainability efforts while nurturing a new generation of young leaders equipped to drive meaningful change.''The acknowledgment of naha by the United Nations University as a Regional Centre of Expertise builds upon the extremely successful 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) held in Abu Dhabi in early 2024, the launch of the Abu Dhabi Roadmap for Education for Sustainable Development and demonstrates Abu Dhabi's commitment to the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan Challenge 6.3 that called for the establishment of an RCE in Abu Dhabi.'The Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) on Education for Sustainable Development network operates under a multi-stakeholder governance structure, bringing together the expertise of government entities, non-governmental organisations, universities, and international inclusive approach ensures the effectiveness of operations, with all stakeholders committed to advancing education for sustainable development and restoring part of its role, EAD will establish a Steering Committee to serve as the centre's governing body, responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing operations across multiple agency will manage daily decision-making, operational supervision, and partner coordination. The formation of an advisory committee will bring together experts and practitioners in ecosystem restoration and sustainable education to provide specialised knowledge and guidance.
Morocco World
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Green Education for a Sustainable Morocco
Scientific and technological advancements have significantly improved human life and provided solutions to numerous challenges. However, these developments have also exerted a significant strain on the environment. The growing population, coupled with rising consumption and the depletion of natural resources, has exacerbated these issues, leading to climate change. This poses an existential threat to humanity, particularly affecting vulnerable communities and developing nations, which often bear the brunt of climate change's impacts. Addressing this challenge will require immediate behavioral changes to adapt to and respond to the immediate crises, while also learning to adopt more sustainable practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the long term. It demands urgent international cooperation and coordinated solutions at all levels, which include education. Education is key to addressing this crisis. Through investing in schools, we can make students the cornerstone of the fight against climate change. Through schools, we can cultivate a generation that understands the importance of environmental protection by deepening their knowledge of climate change, its causes, and its consequences. By dedicating specific units on the environment in curricula at all levels and engaging in practical climate-related activities, we can instill values of sustainability and social responsibility. This will empower students to develop innovative solutions to climate challenges, such as exploring new renewable energy sources and designing sustainable cities. There is a growing call in Morocco for all forms of education to fully enable individuals, as agents of change, to acquire the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to contribute effectively to the green transition of our societies, including career pathways. The imperative for 'greening' education in Morocco is driven not only by the global crisis of climate change but also by the general failure of national education systems to integrate this approach thus far. An analysis of 100 of Morocco's national curriculum frameworks reveals that almost half (47%) do not address climate change. Unsurprisingly, only one-third of teachers felt able to effectively explain the effects of climate change in their regions, and 70% of youth surveyed in 2021 could not describe the broad principles of climate change due to a lack of quality in the current way it is taught. Yet, most teachers and students believe that climate change is occurring and view education as necessary to address it. Clearly, there is an urgent need for 'greening' education. Looking at the bigger picture, in regards to the education sector, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been promoted for decades. It is enshrined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on quality education, specifically Target 4.7 which aims to ensure all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. On the part of the environment sector, there is a plethora of international agreements and proposals in place, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Article 12 of the Paris Agreement, SDG 13 on climate action, and Target 13.3 on improving education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. There is also the recent COP28 Declaration for the Common Agenda for Education and Climate Change, which recognizes the essential role of education in addressing climate change. As with institutions within the global community, Moroccan schools are also called upon to play a more active role in addressing climate change by equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate environmental education into their lessons and classroom activities. Towards this goal, it is essential to organize competitions and incentives for scientific research to find alternative solutions, as well as involve parents to raise their awareness of the dangers of climate change and the importance of their role in promoting sustainable behaviors at home. Transforming education to achieve sustainable development requires more than isolated teaching and learning efforts, as important as these are. It needs the integration of 'greening' education principles into all dimensions of a learning institution, such as in curriculum, pedagogy, structures, organization, and ethics, which affect each other and must be viewed as a coherent whole. A holistic approach to the institution involves rethinking school governance, teaching content and methodology, campus and facilities management, as well as cooperation with partners and communities at large. In this way, the institution itself becomes and functions as a model for learners. By adopting this comprehensive approach, with schools at its core, Morocco can achieve sustainable development and enhance its resilience to tackle future climate challenges. Read Also: Morocco Continues to Strengthen Focus on Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth
