UNESCO helps small islands educate for climate change
© UNESCO - Climate Change
Climate change represents a real threat to Small Island Developing States. A UNESCO expert meeting (21-23 September, Nassau, the Bahamas) was held to address the vital role of education in helping populations from the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans adapt to this challenge.
Adaptation to climate change requires that individuals understand why and how the climate is changing, and the implications of these changes for their lives.
79 experts from 29 counties, primarily from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), representing a multi-disciplinary and diverse group of stakeholders, discussed and reflected upon the challenges that climate change poses to education systems in SIDS, and the role that education can play in adaptation to climate change.
The participants adopted 20 recommendations on Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States , which they addressed to UNESCO, its Member States, educators and other stakeholders.
The recommendations are a contribution to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (December 2011) and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 Conference - June 2012).
These events will set the stage for the remainder of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2012) which is led globally by UNESCO.
Related Links
Recommendations of the UNESCO Expert Meeting
UNESCO and Global Climate Change
“Teacher training in climate change education is in its infancy”
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
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