UNESCO – Panasonic launch project to Strengthen Schools for Education for Sustainable Development in Myanmar

Eneloop Solar Storage Devices installed in Auq-Myit School, Nyaung-U District, Bagan. (@UNESCO/Panasonic)

@UNESCO

UNESCO – Panasonic jointly launched the “Strengthening Schools for Education for Sustainable Development in Myanmar” project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Myanmar. The launch ceremony marked the beginning of an innovative public-private partnership between the Ministry of Education Myanmar, UNESCO, and Panasonic Corporation to empower Myanmar’s learners to lead and promote sustainable lifestyles as socially responsible global citizens and leaders of the future.

Dr. Zaw Min Aung, Deputy Union Minister for Education in Myanmar, noted in his opening remarks that in “both the 2030 education and development agendas, the centrality of education in achieving sustainable development and in building peaceful and sustainable societies has been emphasized”, and domestically, key legislative and policy documents such as the Myanmar National Curriculum Framework for Basic Education call for the need to nurture learners to uphold ethical and civic principles, protect the natural environment, and further the principles of sustainable development.

Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, Head of Office, UNESCO Myanmar explained that, “centered on the subject of ‘Discovering Myanmar’, and cutting across three core interdisciplinary themes of science, society and sustainability, the driving objectives of the project will include developing interdisciplinary knowledge products, and enable learners in Myanmar to grasp key concepts related to sustainable development, environmental and biodiversity conservation, and cultural heritage preservation in Myanmar.”

As part of the project, Panasonic provided USD 250,000 to UNESCO Myanmar, and will donate 500 Eneloop Solar Storage units to 40 schools located in areas with limited electricity, in and around the Bagan region, for sustainable lighting leading to improved learning environment in the class room. Mr. Hisakazu Maeda, Chief Representative Panasonic Asia Pacific Myanmar stated that “bringing light to the people living near the Bagan monuments using our Eneloop Solar Storage will hopefully make it more convenient for students to study at night or when there is a power outage during heavy rains.”

As Myanmar is going through rapid economic growth and infrastructure projects, cultural preservation and environmental conservation is being given a top-priority with full participation of local communities and stakeholders as key players in this process. The project will support establishment of model-schools and mentoring networks through “whole-school” approaches wherein learning for sustainable development is integrated beyond classroom-learning, into school operations, long-term planning and community engagement.

For more information, please contact UNESCO Yangon Office via Email: yangon@unesco.org or Phone: +95 – 9 – 542910 (Ext: 109).