Season of Creation 2024: “To hope and act with Creation”

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The Season of Creation 2024 focuses on the theme, “To hope and act with Creation,” calling people worldwide to unite hope and action for the Earth’s well-being. This year’s symbol, “the firstfruits of hope,” is inspired by the biblical image of creation groaning in childbirth, awaiting renewal. The guiding scripture comes from the Book of Romans (Rom 8:19-25), where St. Paul describes creation’s eager anticipation for the revelation of the children of God.

A groaning earth

The image of creation groaning, like a mother in labor, draws attention to the deep wounds we’ve inflicted on the Earth through our irresponsible actions. The climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and human suffering all point to an imbalanced relationship with nature, which is too often treated as a resource rather than a gift. As St. Francis of Assisi reminds us in his Canticle of the Creatures, the Earth is both our sister and mother. To receive her care, we must care for her in return.

Yet, creation’s cry is not only one of pain, but also of hope. Just as labor pains signal the birth of new life, the Earth’s suffering invites us to act and hope for a better future.

Active hope and the firstfruits of hope

Christian hope is not passive or superficial. It is not merely about optimism or waiting for a utopia but about engaging in concrete action. To “hope” means to act—to transform pain and suffering into visible signs of change. As St. Paul tells us, “hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:4), but it demands perseverance and patience.

The “firstfruits of hope” emerge when we work together to restore peace and harmony, not just among ourselves but with all creation. Actions like supporting the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty are tangible examples of hope coming to life. This treaty is a critical step toward a sustainable future and a real response to the ecological crisis.

The urgency of change

We are living in a time of urgency. Ecological conversion—a profound transformation of heart and mind—is difficult but unavoidable. Collective efforts toward sustainability and environmental justice are crucial signs of hope. Hope and action are inseparable; action springs from hope, and hope thrives through action.

The voices of the Earth and the poor must be heard. Communities displaced by climate change, indigenous populations, endangered species, and ecosystems at risk—all of these call us to a renewed respect for creation. Ecological justice is an essential part of our faith.

A call to action

The Season of Creation 2024 invites us to both reflect and act. It urges us to see creation as a part of God’s revelation, to respond to its groans with sustainable, concrete actions, and to embrace our responsibility as stewards of the Earth. Hope and action must move together. While we hope for a better world, we must act to make it a reality. Our actions—no matter how small—are the firstfruits of a greater hope, paving the way for a more just and sustainable future for all creation.

Discover more and share your Season of Creation activity here: https://seasonofcreation.org/

The partners participating in this initiative include: Anglican Communion Environmental Network, Integral human development, Dicasterium pro communicatione, A Rocha, Actalliance, European Christian Environmental Network, Lausanne/WEA Creation Care Network, Movimento Laudato Si’, The Lutheran World Federation, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Council of Churches, The middle east council of churches, World methodist council, Centrumjp2, Comunidad de Vida Cristiana,  Comisión Diocesana de Ecología Integral, Guías Argentinas Católicas, Creation Justice Ministries, Cebi, Acción Católica Argentina, Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, Catolicos en red, Arquidiocese de Braga, Vatican news, Radio vaticana, Alfa&Omega, Aica, Aleteia, Exaudi, L’osservatore romano, The pope video, Pray as you go, Religion digital

WEEC Network has taken part in the 𝑬𝑺𝑫 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒖𝒎 Go Green, a comprehensive event that included the Med-9 and UNECE that was held in Limassol, Republic of Cyprus.

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WEEC Network made a contribution to the Med-9 High-Level Forum on Education for Sustainable Development and Green Transition in the Mediterranean Region during the session ‘The Twin Transition: Digital and Green Sustainable Learning ‘. WEEC Network’s representative, Dr. Mariaclaudia Cusumano, presented the contribution ‘Cultures of Sustainability behind Spotlight.’ This presentation sheds light on the role of cultures in promoting sustainability for a sustainable future.

During the session, policies and strategies for integrating green and digital as sustainable learning have been discussed.

The session was not just a platform for the exchange of ideas but also a catalyst for enhancing cooperation and networking.

As WEEC Network, we presented what has been done both in Italy and at the International level; we focused on the Italian Education Global Citizen as a strategy to promote sustainable development through ESD in lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, and promotion of a peaceful and nonviolent Education as the appreciation of the diversity of culture. We presented the new Plan School- Regeneration, which aims to accompany the Ecological and Social Transition by facilitating activities of EE.

We stressed that numerous barriers still remain in the Italian Education System as many issues are not addressed:

  • Climate change.
  • Understanding of the complexity and interdependence of global challenges.
  • Adoption of awareness, sustainable choice in consumption, in nutrition model, as is an active lifestyle to promote youth health.
  • Understanding of Planetary limits, countering the culture of overconsumption.
  • Educating for critical thinking.

During our speech, we also stressed mainstream communication, particularly regarding fake news and miscommunication, an issue that has a devastating impact on the new generations throughout the toxicity of communication, especially in the context of social media.

It was also a great occasion to shed light on some best practices that are impacting Italy, such as ours.

  • Italian Universities have launched an initiative to promote Sustainable Development; academic Courses are directly linked to one or more of the SDGs for their promotion;
  • Italian Sustainable University Network, RUS has developed lesson zero, a mini course of providing students educational tools for sustainability literacy;
  • National Committee for for Sustainable Development for Agenda 2030, under the auspices of UNESCO, every November the Committee promotes a campaign for the week of ESD;
  • WEEC Italia has training teacher through Summer School,
  • Last but not least YEEC that we are building up for the next World Environmental Education Congress that will be held which will be held in 2026 in Australia as a platform to connect youth that are sharing similar sensibility of Sustainability at the global level.

The Med-9 Ministerial Summit for Education for Sustainable Development and Green Transition in the Mediterranean Region ended with a Non-Official Paper approved by high officials and experts of the Mediterranean countries, NGOs, Academia, and other stakeholders and facilitated by Prof. Michael Scoullos of the Union for the Mediterranean and and Ms. Aravella Zachariou, Head of the Unit of EESD of Cyprus to face the complex and serious challenges to face The global triple crisis which is particularly visible in the Mediterranean, the South and Eastern of Europe. It has merged the need to make a prominent effort to implement the Action Plan Towards 2030 of the Mediterranean Strategy on ESD. This includes cross-cutting themes among environmental issues, cultural, socioeconomic, democratization, gender, and youth, as well as peace, security, and human rights to ensure a sustainable future for all.

https://esdforumcyprus2024.com

WEEC Network Joins Campaign to Protect Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment

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We are pleased to announce that WEEC Network has officially joined the collective effort to advocate for the protection of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment across Europe.

In response to ongoing environmental challenges and the escalating triple planetary crisis, civil society organizations and social movements from various sectors are uniting to call upon the Member States of the Council of Europe to recognize and safeguard this fundamental human right through an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights.

The importance of this initiative has already been recognized by international bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly, as well as by over 160 countries worldwide. However, the Council of Europe, representing 46 Member States and over 700 million citizens, has yet to officially acknowledge this right within its legal framework.

By endorsing this campaign, WEEC Network joins dozens of organizations across Europe in urging European governments to take concrete steps to protect the environment and ensure the well-being of current and future generations.

The lack of adequate protection of the right to a healthy environment under the European Human Rights framework remains a pressing issue, particularly considering the significant public health impacts of air pollution and the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable communities.

The proposed additional protocol would not only strengthen existing legal frameworks but also empower the European Court of Human Rights to safeguard environmental rights effectively. Furthermore, it would signal Europe’s commitment to addressing the environmental crisis and providing its citizens with enforceable environmental protections.

Perth selected as host for 13th World environmental education congress (WEEC) in 2026

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The World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) Permanent Secretariat and the Australian Association of Environmental Education (AAEE) announced Perth as host for the 13th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) in 2026.

Following the resounding success of the 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) held in Abu Dhabi in January and February 2024, the WEEC Permanent Secretariat takes great pride in announcing that Wadjuk Noongar Country – Perth, Western Australia – has been selected as the host city for the 13th WEEC in 2026.

The WEEC Permanent Secretariat will partner with the Australian Association of Environmental Education (AAEE) to bring this premier international congress dedicated to the progression of environmental education and the advancement of education for sustainability worldwide.

“After twelve world congresses, the environmental education community starts a journey towards new goals from Australia”, said Mario Salomone, WEEC Secretary-General. “The environmental approach to the knowledge is a key for a paradigm shift and must be more and more at the centre of the formal and non-formal education. The global project on learning implemented in close collaboration with the Club of Rome will bring to the congress in Perth updated data, inspiring thoughts, and new mindfulness”.

The WEEC serves as a platform for global dialogue, learning, and exchanging ideas on environmental education programs. “The work we are doing in Australasia on environmental education and education for sustainability positions us as a leading destination,” said Dr Lisa Siegel, President of AAEE. “We welcome environmental educators locally and from around the world to attend WEEC 2026 to benefit from international discourse and showcasing best practices.”

AAEE Vice Presidents Dr Jennifer Pearson and Mr Jason Pitman, both in Western Australia, will co-chair the organising committee for the 13th WEEC. “We are thrilled to showcase Western Australia’s rich environmental and cultural heritage to delegates from around the world,” said Dr Pearson. “From sustainable initiatives in early learning to the growing impact of place-based education efforts, the 13th WEEC presents a unique opportunity to share our knowledge and learn from our global counterparts.”

“The 13th WEEC in 2026 will facilitate stronger connections between countries in the Oceania region and beyond,” added Mr Pitman. “By sharing our responses to the climate crisis and exchanging international perspectives on living more sustainably, we aim to foster collaboration and galvanise collective action in the global community.”

 

Information and updates

For further information and updates on the 13th WEEC 2026, please visit:

www.weecnetwork.org or www.aaee.org.au

Alternatively, please get in touch with the Local Organising Committee via:

Dr Jennifer Pearson, Co-chair, jopearson189@gmail.com

Mr Jason Pitman, Co-Chair, jason.j.pitman@gmail.com

And with the international Permanent Secretariat:

secretariat@weecnetwork.org

Twenty years and great aspirations at the 12th World WEEC Congress

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Record-breaking numbers and prime factors were highlighted at the 12th edition of the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC), which took place in Abu Dhabi from January 29 to February 2. Approximately 3000 delegates from 83 countries worldwide participated, alongside over 330 speakers who led more than 300 parallel sessions. Organized by the Permanent Secretariat of the WEEC Network based in Italy and the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, the congress brought together environmental educators, teachers, associations, and institutions from across the globe.

“The WEEC 2024 Congress,” remarked Secretary General Mario Salomone, “represents a global commitment to environmental education, mirrored by the hosting country’s presidency of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The United Arab Emirates’ pivotal role as our host has catalyzed a ripple effect that, I believe, will resonate far beyond the congress, inspiring significant change worldwide.”

The 2024 WEEC congress also marked twenty years since its inaugural gathering in Portugal in 2003, commemorated through a dedicated side event. It served as a platform to reflect on past commitments and set goals for the next two decades. Among these discussions was the announcement of the next edition, slated for September 2026 in Perth, Australia, organized in collaboration with the Australian Association for Environmental Education.

The rotation of congress locations worldwide aims to address diverse contexts, tailoring environmental education and sustainability efforts to specific regional needs, challenges, and resources. Each destination brings with it distinct traditions, cultures, economic structures, and social dynamics, offering pertinent insights, cutting-edge research, and effective practices.

To capture the unique narrative of the United Arab Emirates, the fifth day of the congress ventured into the field with a series of excursions spotlighting local environmental education initiatives. These ranged from exploring the Jubail Mangrove Park, where the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency has recently planted approximately 15 million mangroves to support the UAE’s goal of planting 100 million mangroves by 2030, to visiting the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center, the largest facility dedicated to marine research, rescue, and rehabilitation in the region.

Throughout the four days at the congress center, nine plenary sessions featured presentations from esteemed international speakers, including Mirian Vileda, Eureta Rosenberg, Akpezi Ogbuigwe, Purnima Devi Barman, Carlos Alvarez Pereira, Judy Braus, Kartikeya Vikram Sarabhai, Daniel Schaffer, and Gayatri Raghwa, among others.

A significant focus was placed on engaging youth, evident in the Youth Environmental Education Conference (YEEC) – a parallel event to the main congress since 2019. This edition saw substantial growth in both programming and participation, with around sixty speakers and hundreds of Emirati and international youth engaging in workshops, debates, and activities like the escape room and a daily podcast, a first in congress history, providing an innovative platform for sustainability discussions.

Connected to the YEEC area, a spacious exhibit zone facilitated interactions with local and international associations and universities. The “Sustainability Wall” showcased principles, objectives, and examples to inspire attendees to make a personal commitment to enhancing the sustainability of WEEC2024.

Emphasizing the concept of legacy, efforts were made to leave the congress venue better than before. As part of this commitment, the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency pledged to plant around 15,000 mangroves as a compensation activity. This tangible initiative, endorsed by WEEC, underscores the integration of environmental education into all facets of life.

The future of humanity depends on enabling everybody’s capacity to learn

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The Fifth Element programme of The Club of Rome and The World Environmental Education Congress are joining forces to collaborate on a new project, sparked by the 45th anniversary of the report No Limits to Learning. The collaboration will focus on the transformative and regenerative function of learning at its full potential.

Overcoming the challenges that humanity is facing today will require a cultural transformation with collective learning at its heart. The Fifth Element’s vision is to explore and facilitate the recognition of blind spots and help catalyse the emergence of a revolution of mindsets towards equitable wellbeing on a healthy planet.

In the opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) in Abu Dhabi, the Secretary-General of the WEEC Permanent Secretariat, Mario Salomone, announced this collaboration between The Club of Rome and the WEEC Network to address the multidimensional challenges of the current “polycrisis”.

“Learning processes are essential. Through learning, we acquire the elements to move between the paths of history and the cases of life. We can learn well or poorly. We can become selfish and individualistic or supportive and cooperative. We can absorb conservative or innovative knowledge. Unlike material growth, which is impossible on a finite planet, learning has no limits.” commented Salomone.

45 years after the publication of the report to The Club of Rome No Limits to Learning, the words of Aurelio Peccei, founder of The Club of Rome, are still valid and powerful: “What we all need at this point in human evolution is to learn what it takes to learn what we should learn – and learn it.” This quote serves as the guiding inspiration for this new collaboration between The Club of Rome and the WEEC Network.

One of the aims is to understand better what is still blocking the potential of human communities everywhere to learn by themselves their pathways to regenerative and hence sustainable futures. As put forward by No Limits to Learning, making learning participatory, anticipatory, innovative and integrative would shape the responses we need for desirable futures.

Carlos Álvarez Pereira, Secretary General of The Club of Rome, commented: “The resonance between so many initiatives of transformational learning all around the world is critical. Resonance creates the conditions for mutual learning and will ultimately lead to systemic change towards equitable wellbeing within a healthy planet”.

In 2021 The Club of Rome published Learning New Ways of Becoming Human to reframe the current polycrisis as a failure in our collective capacity to learn and highlight at the same time the huge potential at our hands, provided that people are allowed to learn and address the existential challenges in their own ways. The future of humanity depends on how we bet today on the humanity and capacity of everybody.

The collaboration between The Club of Rome and the World Environmental Education Congress Network will unfold over two years and result in a new publication as an update to No Limits to Learning in the light of the transformations that have occurred since then. This new report will be presented at the WEEC 2026.

For more information or to arrange interviews contact:

Philippa Baumgartner  pbaumgartner@clubofrome.org

The Fifth Element is an initiative hosted by The Club of Rome which seeks to create a future of equitable wellbeing within a healthy ecosystem. We shift focus from stakeholders to human beings, fostering connections and creating space for people and organisations to engage in their own learning processes. Through engagements and initiatives based on a combination of traditional wisdom and leading-edge science, we are working to catalyse the emergence of a human revolution.

www.thefifthelement.earth

The Club of Rome is a platform of diverse thought leaders who identify holistic solutions to complex global issues and promote policy initiatives and action to enable humanity to emerge from multiple planetary emergencies. The organisation has prioritised five key areas of impact: Emerging New Civilisations; Planetary Emergency; Reframing Economics; Rethinking Finance; and Youth Leadership and Intergenerational Dialogues.

www.clubofrome.org 

The World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) is an international network of environmental educators and organisations that promote education for sustainable development. The WEEC network aims to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices in environmental education. The network organizes a biennial congress that brings together environmental educators, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to discuss and share their work. The congresses have been held in various locations around the world since the first one in 2003.

www.weecnetwork.org

WEEC2024: a global gathering for sustainable solutions

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The twelfth edition of the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) kicks off in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The opening ceremony saw the participation of prominent figures, including H.E. Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, UAE; H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA); Mario Salomone, Secretary-General of the World Environmental Education Congress Network; and Elizabeth Wathuti, Kenyan youth activist, Founder, and Executive Director of Green Generation Initiative, Kenya.

The WEEC Network Secretary-General Mario Salomone addressed the theme of interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity, emphasizing that the environment represents the crossroads of perspectives and is the ideal ground for building such approaches. He highlighted that the challenge of environmental crises is not merely academic but involves Western science, the relationship between expert knowledge and traditional knowledge, raises ethical-political issues, and requires a profound restructuring of knowledge, structures, and laws. He announced a new collaboration between the Club of Rome and the global WEEC network, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating the centrality of environmental education. This collaboration aims to better understand the nature of learning today, based on the message conveyed by the Club of Rome’s report, “No Limits to Learning.”

Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri focused her speech on three crucial themes: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, in her address, highlighted the importance of the involvement of women and youth, emphasized significant transformations in the United Arab Emirates, and underscored the transformative power of education.

Plenary 1: the triple planetary crisis – aligning EE and ESD

During subsequent plenary sessions, numerous national and international authorities contributed, including H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, who stated, “Government action alone is not sufficient; everyone’s help is needed. WEEC plays a crucial role, inspiring, empowering, and embracing the new economy.” She also announced a commitment to creating a roadmap for developing an educational set for young people.
Following H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak’s remarks, Jack Dangermond, President, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), USA, ha preso la parola.
Mr. Dangermond highlighted the success and challenges faced by our species, acknowledging the exponential growth in technology over the last 300 years. He expressed concern about the human footprint dominating the planet’s evolution and how it now poses a threat to our future, especially due to overpopulation. He stressed the critical need for understanding and collaboration to address the challenges ahead.

High level leaders’ panel discussion

After them, several other notable speakers took the stage during subsequent panel discussion:
Abdul-Majeid Haddad, Deputy Regional Director, UNEP, West Asia O¬ce, Lebanon, emphasized the importance of educators having an environmental spirit and transferring it to education. He discussed the role of educators as custodians for laws, needing to provide incentives for environmental education through both formal and informal approaches. Formal education would involve legal frameworks, while informal education would inspire youth to become champions and educators themselves.
Panelists:
H.E. Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Al Shamsi emphasized that environmental education is not solely the responsibility of educators but of everyone. She highlighted the power and connectivity of education, reaching every household. To integrate environmental education into daily life, it must be instilled as part of people’s values, especially considering they are the future educators and scientists.

H.E. Mamo Boru Mamo, Director General, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya.
Mr. Mamo discussed the need to supervise and coordinate environmental issues in Kenya due to limited resources. He emphasized the importance of laws and regulations in the constitution to manage and protect the environment. Addressing environmental quality should be both an individual and collective effort.
Lorenzo Fioramonti, Former Education Minister, Italy.
Mr. Fioramonti shared his experience encouraging students to strike for better education. He highlighted the difficulty of changing school curricula but stressed the importance of introducing environmental sustainability as an experiential subject. Investing in education is crucial for building a strong economy, with children being fundamental ambassadors of change.
Ginger Potter, Senior Education Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency – USA.
Ms. Potter addressed the challenge of environmental education not being mandated by the constitution in the USA, leading to only half of the states incorporating it into their curriculum. She emphasized the need for government investment and laws to ensure every student learns about the environment, framing it as a national security issue.

WEEC kicks off with great success and will continue until February 2, 2024. The World Environmental Education Congress represents a crucial catalyst for inspiring, empowering, and embracing the new economy, continuing to play a fundamental role in promoting a sustainable future through environmental education.

Leveraging COP 28 consensus for inclusive socio-environmental transformation

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Brazil and paths after COP 28

by Dra. Vanessa Sousa de Oliveira, Dr. Marcos Vinicius Campelo Junior

Between November 30 and December 12, 2023, the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The 195 participating countries discussed strategies to reduce, mitigate, and control the emission of greenhouse gases, responsible for climate change.

The Conference of the Parties (COPs) is the most important international meetings to discuss climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreement establishes commitments and obligations for the signatory countries, where strategies to curb the acceleration of climate change are discussed and negotiated.

The final document of COP 28 can be analyzed from different perspectives. When assessing global responses to climate change, the goal of uniting efforts to ensure the stabilization of the planet’s warming at 1.5°C, as defined in the Paris Agreement, identified significant omissions in the commitments made, especially by developed countries. The existing advancements were considered timid and disjointed.

For the first time, the overall balance of the Paris Agreement explicitly addresses the reduction of production and consumption of fossil fuels, ensuring global consensus on an energy transition and assigning greater responsibility to developed countries. However, the reduction values and funding sources for decarbonization of energy systems were not defined.

Another achievement is the connection with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through issues directly related to the conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use, and the fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources in the three levels categorized in the CBD: ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.

In its participation, Brazil focused on mediating consensus between developed countries and those that can develop in setting goals and fulfilling them in addressing climate change. It is certain that to achieve environmental justice, one must consider the historical gap between rich and poor nations. Proportionally, nations with greater economic power must initiate the process of abandoning fossil fuels, thinking about decarbonization within the set goals.

Given Brazil’s socio-environmental importance on the international stage and anticipating its role as the host country for COP 30 in Belém do Pará (PA) in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon in 2030, how can Brazil use the current established consensus to strengthen its actions domestically and present itself as a leader in the global environmental context with internal proposals that go beyond reducing deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest?

Brazil, as a strategic environmental actor, plays an important role in this context and can contribute with successful experiences and new models of socio-environmental management. These biomes present a significant representation of sociobiodiversity: forests, wildlife, and the presence of people who inhabit these spaces, such as quilombolas, indigenous peoples, riparian dwellers, rubber tappers, and others.

We believe that Brazil’s significant contribution to the international decarbonization process lies in public policies focused on resolving internal conflicts that directly affect the existence of indigenous and traditional peoples, as well as the quality of life in urban centers. Reducing socio-environmental inequalities, ensuring fundamental rights, and protecting biomes that are directly related.

Ensuring the legal protection of indigenous and quilombola lands and their way of life integrated with nature; Expediting agrarian reform, which constitutionally revolves around the social use of land. Expanding successful experiences of sustainable agriculture and livestock farming carried out by social movements in rural areas; Incorporating clean technologies produced in universities into urban mobility structures, construction, and educational processes for new generations.

Finally, it will be necessary to unite governments, civil society, researchers, and others in this endeavor, which may be our last chance to “postpone the end of the world” (a reference to the title of Ailton Krenak’s book). Thus, social justice, climate justice, and the reduction of inequalities form an inseparable triad that will underpin the processes of economic, social, and symbolic decarbonization. Above all, we need to decarbonize our thinking!

The programme of WEEC2024: everything you need to know

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The 12th World Environmental Education Congress in Abu Dhabi, from January 29 to February 2, 2024 is about to be an incredibly meaningful and exciting experience for all Environmental Education enthusiasts attending. 5 days of presentations, discussions,  learning and networking opportunities, educational field trips and much more: we are looking forward to meeting in the capital city of the UAE in the name of sustainability. Let’s delve into this rich and articulate programme: here’s everything you need to know before the 12th WEEC Congress.

The Congress Sessions
During the congress, 287 sessions will take place. This number includes both plenary and parallel sessions: the former being important collective moments of discussions with some of the most esteemed personalities in the EE field, such as the opening session with Secretary General of WEEC Network, Mario Salomone and Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri; the latters comprising all of the different sessions where delegates will present their abstracts and works. The Parallel Sessions are divided into the four thematic groups: the Challenges, the Goals, the Dimensions and the Means. 

YEEC Congress
The Youth Environmental Education Conference (YEEC) is a dedicated program for participants aged 13–30 from around the world. Aligned with the WEEC Congress, this unique platform caters to youth interested in environmentalism, categorizing them into three groups: Youngsters (13–17 years), Young Adults (18–21 years), and Young Professionals (22–30 years). Here, participants have the opportunity to express their thoughts, articulate ideas, and contribute new energies to discussions on environmental education and sustainability. This setting also facilitates networking and connections with fellow environmental enthusiasts from various countries.

Honourable Speakers
In the history of the WEEC Congress, our network has consistently had the honor of hosting distinguished personalities in the field who share their insights with the Congress audience. This year is no exception: our esteemed panel of Honourable Speakers will provide unique and significant perspectives on Environmental Education throughout the entire duration of the Congress. The lineup includes young and passionate activists like Elizabeth Wathuti, esteemed and recognized professionals such as Lorenzo Fioramonti, influential authors like Gunter Pauli, and renowned artists like Ricki Kej. This diverse and eclectic group of speakers will shed light on the importance of environmentalism and education across various fields and sectors

Side events
Book launches, interactive activities, workshops, and engaging dialogues with other environmental organizations—these Side Events at WEEC2024 form a vibrant platform that illuminates the collaborative endeavors of diverse global organizations in the field of environmental education. The lineup of speakers, including students, spans across different regions and represents academia, intergovernmental bodies, governments, national and international institutions, and schools. This convergence serves the purpose of showcasing and celebrating the multifaceted initiatives undertaken to promote environmental education and awareness on a global scale.


Educational Field Trips
Integrating theory with hands-on experiences, the educational field trips during WEEC2024 offer an exciting opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes and environmental education landmarks in and around Abu Dhabi. Participants can tailor their experience by selecting from a variety of morning, afternoon, or full-day activities to actively engage in environmental education. Options include visits to breathtaking sights such as the Jubail Mangrove Park or Samaliya Island, or delving into the country’s efforts to preserve local flora and fauna at places like the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Centre. Each field trip promises to be a thrilling and informative experience, contributing to the overall impact of WEEC2024 and ensuring it becomes an unforgettable educational journey for all participants.

The 12th WEEC’s legacy: a commitment to sustainability

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The 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) is unwavering in its commitment to sustainability, with the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) playing a central role in championing green practices.

In the realm of sustainable event design, the WEEC adheres to ISO guidelines 20121:2012, incorporating practical strategies such as QR codes for menus, promotion of healthier options, and the use of eco-friendly materials for event accessories. Menus are thoughtfully crafted to be low in carbon emissions through comprehensive life cycle assessments.
ADNEC stands out as an institution committed to renewable energy utilization, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A power-down plan further contributes to energy conservation, aligning with the event’s eco-conscious approach.

Delving into nutritionally optimal menus, the WEEC ensures a balanced culinary experience with fresh ingredients, emphasizing low salt, sugar, and unnecessary fats for overall well-being. Sustainable food sourcing is a priority, with an emphasis on locally sourced produce and the inclusion of vegan options, thereby reducing environmental impact and fostering shorter supply chains.
Collaboration with the local community fosters a circular economy and reduced food miles, exemplified by a focus on seasonal local cuisine to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Eco-friendly operations extend to biodegradable packaging, the conversion of used cooking oil into biodiesel, and campaigns aimed at eliminating plastic straws and reducing the use of disposable cups, showcasing a comprehensive approach to minimizing the ecological impact of the event.

Going beyond reduction efforts, the WEEC has engaged specialist consultants to monitor the carbon footprint of all delegates, encompassing travel and accommodation. This data will inform the planting of mangroves post-event to offset calculated carbon footprints.
This mangrove planting initiative serves as a tangible part of the WEEC’s legacy, aligning with the event’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Moreover, involving local schools provides students with a unique learning opportunity, engaging them in site selection, planting, and long-term monitoring of the mangroves.

Beyond environmental considerations, the WEEC prioritizes social sustainability by ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. The event’s website complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 – W3C, while plenary sessions feature interpreters proficient in both Arabic and English sign language. Rigorous risk assessments at ADNEC ensure independent navigation for all participants, and individuals with special needs, referred to as “Persons of Determination“, actively contribute to the congress as speakers and workshop attendees.

In conclusion, the 12th WEEC is not just an event; it is a legacy in the making, integrating environmental and social considerations into every facet of its planning and execution. This discursive approach emphasizes the holistic commitment to sustainability that defines the essence of the congress.