9th WEEC, My Experience

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The Young Reporters for Environment, from the Izmir Saint-Joseph Fernch High School  (Turkey) attended the 9th WEEC in Vancouver (Canada) and now they present their experience.

This event is my most beautiful international experience. Conference was really good and I’m very proud of being one of the numbered young reporters. The conference went well and in the presentation moment we were in the focal point. Everybody liked our project and they supported us because everybody wants the youth understand the importance and work for environmental problems. And also everybody liked YRE and when we said there are more than 250.000 youngster like us in the 35 countries, all of our listeners were full of hope for the future of our world and they were pleased. After the presentation I met with lots of important lecturers, professors and nature scientist. Some ecological educators have very important projects for their countries.

One of the most important lecturer invited us for a conference in Australia. She is the team leader for cleaning the most polluted area in Australia. I saw that every person in conference from any age from anywhere is curious about environmental problems, they do research and write some articles. That made me happy. The feeling of made our families proud, representing our school and our country is the most honorable thing in my life. I know that the future is on our hands. And if we behave responsibly to protect the environment and work for sustainable living conditions the world can be a better place to live.

EFE KAAN OK

YRE STUDENT
From Izmir Saint-Joseph Fernch High School /TURKEY

Online Certificate on Education for Sustainable Development

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The Earth Charter Center for Education for Sustainable Development offers an online certificate programme on education for sustainable development, in collaboration with the UN Mandated University for Peace.
This Online Certificate Diploma is designed to provide participants with the understanding, knowledge, and skills to integrate Education for Sustainable Development and Education for Global Citizenship into classrooms, schools, and curricula with depth and creativity. It contributes to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a specific focus on SDG 4, target SDG 4.7 .

Specifically, this Certificate Programme seeks to:

Clarify concepts of sustainability, sustainability values and principles, sustainable lifestyles and responsible consumption; and global citizenship, as well as the synergies between them.
Deepen and expand knowledge about new paradigms of education associated with education for sustainability, sustainable lifestyles, education for global citizenship and transformative education.
Strengthen capacities and skills of the educators to integrate the values of sustainability in their areas of action, and develop educational programmes that promote a new awareness of our relationship with the environment and sustainable lifestyles.
Explore methodological and transforming pedagogical tools that can be used in educational programmes.
Motivate and inspire educators to contribute, through their areas of action, in building more coherent, harmonious, and sustainable societies.
Stimulate the exchange of experiences between educators from different contexts and regions.

The Certificate Programme has a duration of five months. It consists of four courses plus five seminars. Each course consists of five sessions (one per week). The minimum hourly load per participant is 124 hours, which involves 4 hours per week to read and see all the materials per session, plus the time for the seminars, and the preparation and implementation of a final project (individually or in group).

The course fee is US$1,300 (30% discount offered for groups of 3 or more. 10% discount in registration before November 15th, 2017, full payment only).

Read the program’s brochure

 

GEEP, A global call for Action

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The Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) announces a global call for action for the field of environmental education (EE): Imagine a World. A global call for Action.
To achieve a positive, sustainable future  – that’s the goal of the campain –  we need to act now for environmental education, elevate our work as individuals and organizations, and increase our collective impact.
The GEEP is focused on building capacity for environmental education and sustainability around the world and using the power of education to help address global environmental and social problems. Its advisors are made up of researchers, policymakers, education practitioners, and others who represent government and non-governmental sectors from countries and regions around the world.
The GEEP believes that national and international professional networks are essential to ensuring the quality of education in, about, and for the environment in communities, nations, and regions.
This Call for Action is asking the international environmental education community to take stock of where we are as a field and think ahead to the future. It includes ten draft actions, crafted with input from GEEP leaders from around the world, and is designed to get input from educators working in this field about our key priorities for the next decade.
You can help shape the future agenda by explaing which actions are most important, what’s missing, etc? Visit ActNowForEE.org and cast your vote for your top three priorities. Your input will help create a global action plan for the next 10 years.

Watch the video and visit the site of the campain to help shape the future!

Sustainability master’s programs at RISD

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The Rhode Island School of Design is launching two new Masters Programs in 2018 in the fields of Global Arts and Cultures and Nature–Culture–Sustainability Studies. Emphasizing theoretical grounding, deep inquiry and self-directed research, these programs equip graduates to become hybrid thinkers who will bring critica

Students in RISD’s Nature–Culture–Sustainability Studies MA program develop scholarly expertise in the rapidly evolving field of interdisciplinary environmental studies. Working closely with faculty experts in the environmental humanities and social sciences, they embark on self-directed pathways of research in focus areas such as Anthropocene studies, climate change cultures, green urbanisms and sustainable design futures.

The graduate program on Nature-Culture-Sustainability Studies will combine political ecology and environmental social and political theory with engagements Anthropocene studies, eco-design, socio-technical transitions, climate change cultures and beyond. Hence it may be of interest to your undergraduate students who are looking for a more interdisciplinary environmental studies context for graduate work that can engage more fully with the politics of culture, art and design.

For information on each individual Masters program can be found here.

 

 

Animals at Risk from Climate Change Poster

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How to explain the complex interaction between biological traits and environmental conditions? “Animals at Risk from Climate Change” is an educational poster for environmental and earth science educators made by The Global Education Project,  a Canadian non-governmental organization with a 15-year history of publishing fact-packed educational wall posters and producing live events to educate about important issues.
The interaction of biological traits and environmental conditions that cause a species to be susceptible to climate change and the basics of the carbon cycle are made simple and understandable through illustrations, symbols and brief explanatory text–thoroughly documented to reliable sources.
“Animals at Risk from Climate Change” is an educational poster that presents a succinct overview of the fundamental impacts of greenhouse gases — the causes, effects and risks to all forms of life on the planet — . Based on studies from the IUCN Climate Change Specialist Group, the US EPA, NASA, NOAA and the IPCC, the poster features 25 animals that highlight the fundamental impacts of greenhouse gases on all forms of life on the planet.

By 25 animals selected for their vulnerability to climate change, the complex interaction of biological traits and environmental conditions that cause a species to be susceptible are made simple and understandable through illustrations, key graphics and brief explanatory text. Comprehensive and rigorously annotated to reliable sources, this resource is a valuable, timely and relevant educational aid.

To order or to view all of the elements on the poster, visit here

Support the campaign: the World Environmental Education Day

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The World Environmental Education Day is celebrated on 14 October.
40 years after the UN Conference in Tbilisi (Georgia).
From 14 to 26 October each year, schools, parks, environmental education centers, public institutions, associations, museums … aim to organise special events to highlight the importance of developing educational action to build transversal skills. To focus on the complexity of the challenges in a world where everything is ever more interconnected. To affect perception of the human relationship with the environment, to affect attitudes and therefore individual and collective behaviors. To make people awaring protagonists of a change towards more environmental friendly, more livable and more equitable societies.
On October 14, 1977, the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on Environmental Education, organized by UNESCO and UNEP, opened in Tbilisi (Georgia’s capital), which ended on October 26 with a statement of great relevance, still today.
The Coordination of the World EE Day is taken care by the world-wide network of environmental educators who, each two years, give life to the main congress in that field (the WEEC, World Environmental Education Congress).

The celebrations of the fortieth anniversary of the 1977 Tbilisi Conference took place on 9 September in Vancouver at the WEEC World Congress.

Read the Appeal for a World Environmental Education Day_EN and support the campaign to exhort the UN, the leading institutions worldwide, all our colleagues, all citizens interested in a more sustainable and pleasant future to endorse and to spread our call to recognize and to celebrate every year, on October 14th, the World Environmental Education Day.

Support the campaign

Read the Appeal in Franch – 14 octobre journée mondiale de l’éducation à l’environnement_FR

Read the Appeal in Greek – Appeal for a World Environmental Education Day-GR

Read the Appeal in Spanish – Llamamiento para el día Mundial de la Educación Ambiental_ES

For information and affiliations: world-day@weecnetwork.org

 

GUPES Green Gown Awards

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The Green Gown Awards are the most prestigious recognition of environmental and sustainability best practice within the further and higher education sectors. The Awards provide the sector with benchmarks for excellence and are respected by Government, funding councils, senior management, academics and students.
The Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability Green Gown Awards are supported by UN Environment and the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability and are open to Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability members.
Membership to Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability is free of charge and you can join here. Each Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability region can apply for any of the below categories. There is not a limit on the number of application each institution can enter.

Important Dates
12 October 2017 – Application Deadline
13 November 2017 – Finalists announced
4 January 2018 – Case study and video deadline for Finalists
TBC – Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability Green Gown Awards Ceremony Winners announced

Read more

Environmental Education empowers in Vancouver

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The 9th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC 2017), which occurred in Vancouver from the 9th to the 13th of September 2017, filled up with participants, meetings, ideas and even emotions sharing.

Almost 1000 participants, come from all over the world (around 60 nationalities were there from Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Oceania), shared and enjoyed together the 9th WEEC in the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The WEEC continues to be a unique reference in the Environmental Education field.

Co-organised by the Permanent Secretariat of the WEEC Network and the Institute for Environmental Learning it is supported by international institutions, such as UNESCO and UNEP.

Structured in plenary and parallel sessions, the Congress’ works analysed all the different aspects of the environmental education. Very interesting, according to participants, the interactive poster sessions, a new format that allowed stronger dialogues between each other.

During the final ceremony the works were summarized by the ‘rapporteurs’. The interactive sessions, the multiculturalism, the empowerment of people and the transition towards a new economical paradigm have been the focal points of the congress.

The main question we should be asking is how is my work contributing to dealing with the urgency of our situation – are we tinkering in a space where things are comfortable – or will we look, as David Suzuki reminded us, to exploit every opportunity we can to ensure our work help us to make the paradigm shift we need?

Mario Salomone, Secretary General of the WEC Permanent Secretariat greeted UNEP and UNESCO for their constant support and presence, and all the other networks and associations who presented their initiatives and fed this WEEC edition. The Secretary wishes to give continuity to this experience between the congresses, and value partnership, relationships and important political decisions that have been made during the 9th WEEC.

David Zandvliet, Co-Chair of the Congress, expressed his feelings towards the big participation from all around the world, the importance to create dialogue and relations and take inspiration from others.

A strong role was given to the youth throughout all the congress and in the very last intervention they took the lead. The panelists concluded with remarks of hope and action. Young people from universities, schools and the indigenous community shared their thoughts on how everybody’s life is truly interconnected with the environment and the nature, the importance of balacing elements and values around us. Beside the natural aspects, also the cultural choices influence our connection. For example the use of the language and its impact on our lives was one of the focus.

The next edition of WEEC, the 10th will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, November 3-7 2019. The local host is the Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University.

The World Environmental Education Congress continues his journey and arrives for the first time in Asia. Save the date!

Canada joins CleanSeas campaign to combat plastic pollution in the ocean

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During the  World Environmental Education Congress the Canadian Government announced a clear commitment to tackle plastic marine debris in the ocean by joining the United Nations CleanSeas campaign.
With approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic ending up in the ocean every year, the CleanSeas campaign is working with governments, the private sector and the general public to phase out the production and consumption of single-use plastics and microbeads within the next five years.
If no action is taken, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050.

Canada has the longest coastline in the world and has been at the forefront of international efforts to protect the marine environment. In June, the Canadian Government published the Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations prohibiting the manufacture, import and sale of toiletries used to exfoliate or cleanse that contain plastic microbeads. Canada will contribute to the campaign though initiatives that target pollution prevention, conducting research of the impact of micro plastics in the aquatic environment and biota, and funding community-based programs, including shorefront cleanups.
«Our coastlines are important environmental links to the diversity of life on our planet. For Canadians, they define much of the natural beauty we hold dear. We are firm in our resolve to protect and enhance Canada’s coastlines and its oceans, and to play a leadership role internationally in addressing existing and emerging environmental concerns» said Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment said that «Canada’s continued commitment confirms that we are heading in the right direction with the fight against marine pollution. We look forward to working together to turn the tide on plastic pollution in our oceans».
The CleanSeas campaign recognizes the importance of environmental education and ocean literacy as tools to change knowledge, attitudes and practices with regards to the production and consumption of single use plastics. UN Environment has developed an online executive course on marine litter while programs such as Ocean Wise provide direct learning opportunities reaching about 400,000 people every year.

CleanSeas furthers a critically important message, said John Nightingale, CEO and president of Ocean Wise, one that is in line with the organization’s own mission. “As founder of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup — which sees Canadians clean up shorelines in every territory and province — and now home to a major ocean plastic research laboratory, Ocean Wise applauds Canada’s commitment. We look forward to working even more closely with the Government of Canada across the country and around the world as part of the global UN CleanSeas campaign.”

The CleanSeas campaign also contributes to the goals of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter, a voluntary open-ended partnership for international agencies, governments, businesses, academia, local authorities and non-governmental organizations hosted by UN Environment.

Read more:
CleanSeas campaign’s website
Global partnership on marine litter
Ocean Wise

12.000 live views of the Opening session

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Almost 12.000 views for the live Facebook Opening plenary session, in Vancouver.

Participate with us to the plenary sessions of the 9th WEEC congress. Let’s share and comment the event in a new format: it’s the first time in the history of the WEEC congresses that it’s possible to have a look of the sessions by social media.

And if you are attending the WEEC Congress in Vancouver you can send us photos and videos. We will share it on the WEEC FB page and on our Twitter account.

Live from Vancouver

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