Tag Archive for: education

Education, youth empowerment, and global partnerships at the heart of biodiversity action

/in , /by

by Jason J. Pitman

As the world continues to confront the urgent challenges of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, the importance of education as a key driver for change has never been clearer. At 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16), held in Cali, Colombia in October, the global community came together to reaffirm the vital role of education in advancing the conservation goals outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. With an eye toward 2026, this momentum will carry forward into the 13th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC), hosted in Perth, Western Australia, where key themes around transformative educational approaches will be explored.

On Wednesday, 23rd October, the spotlight at COP16 was firmly on education, with a dedicated Education Day at the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Pavilion. This event responded directly to the May 2024 request from the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Subsidiary Body on Implementation, who called for a Global Plan of Action for Education on Biodiversity. The day brought together over a hundred education experts, leaders, and importantly young people, from across the globe to discuss the essential frameworks, activities, and partnerships required to advance biodiversity education at local and global levels.

The Education Day underscored a clear message. Education is not a luxury, but a fundamental tool for achieving global biodiversity targets. The discussions highlighted how embedding education into national biodiversity strategies, curricula, and policies will be crucial to ensuring the long-term success of biodiversity conservation efforts. From formal to non-formal education, the call was made for all systems to integrate biodiversity education across every level of society, from classrooms to community spaces.

One of the most powerful moments of the day was the release of the Global Child Biodiversity Declaration, crafted by youth delegates from over 25 countries. The Declaration, produced as part of the EducationNatureNexus (#ENN) program run by the Centre for Global Education. In preparation for the Declaration, over 600 children aged 6-18 from around the world participated in a Global Student Environment Survey, sharing their personal experiences with nature, environmental education, and government policies. This Declaration represents a powerful call to action for the world to listen, and act upon, youth voices in the fight for biodiversity preservation. In their declaration, youth demanded government policies ensure every child’s right to high-quality biodiversity education, integration of Indigenous knowledge, and transformative curricula to encourage hands-on, nature-based learning.

The declaration also highlighted the rising tide of eco-anxiety among young people, with nearly 80% of students globally report feeling a deep concern for the planet’s future. But this also demonstrates their readiness to engage in transformative solutions as witness by the young people who spoke clearly and confidently in announcing the Declaration to an international audience. The energy and passion of these young changemakers will form the foundation for future efforts, including the call to action for education to become central in achieving the ambitious biodiversity targets set by COP16.

A major takeaway from the Education Day discussions was the power of partnerships. Educators, governments, organisations, and youth must work together, pooling resources and knowledge to drive the educational reforms needed for biodiversity conservation.

This spirit of collaboration will carry over into the 13th World Environmental Education Congress in 2026, where participants will continue to explore how partnerships can foster interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in education, enabling global cooperation for a more sustainable and biodiverse future. The next WEEC will be a platform for showcasing successful examples of cross-sector partnerships in education, and for inviting global partners to unite behind shared goals of educational transformation.

As momentum builds, the 13th WEEC 2026 in Perth will focus on two critical international calls to action address the needs identified at COP16. The first call, Empowering Learners as Change Agents will seek to inspire educational reforms to build agency in learners, enabling them to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills to actively participate in societal change and tackle environmental challenges. As witness in the Declaration prepared and voiced by international youth. The second call, Interdisciplinary Approaches for a Sustainable Future, will continue to amplify the need for education systems to integrate interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, breaking down silos between subjects, and fostering a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development. Through these actions, communities will be better equipped to respond to the multifaceted challenges of the biodiversity crisis.

As COP16 draws to a close, we have two years in preparation for the 13th WEEC 2026. With this, there is a growing call for global partners to get involved and continue in these critical conversation. Governments, NGOs, educational institutions, and the private sector all have a role to play in advancing education for biodiversity. However, perhaps the most important partners are young people. They are the future stewards of the planet, and their voices must be heard in every conversation about environmental education and action.

The Youth Environmental Education Congress 2026 will take place in conjunction with WEEC, and its sole-purpose is to amplify the diverse youth voices in environmental education. Further reigniting the need and call for young people to globally unite with educators, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore intergenerational wisdom and create space for youth-led solutions including:

  • Bridging the gap between youth and elders for educational transformation.
  • Challenging conventional educational structures and embracing ecological perspectives.
  • Ensuring inclusivity and amplifying marginalised or under-represented voices in educational spaces.
  • Pioneering change into the broader sustainability agenda.

As the global community continues critical conversations outside of the confines of conference walls, the action from COP16 is clear: we must prioritise education for biodiversity conservation, empower youth to take a leading role, and foster collaborative partnerships to achieve shared environmental goals. The declaration from youth at COP16 provides a powerful roadmap for the future of education and biodiversity, and the work will continue at 13th WEEC 2026, where we will collectively chart the path toward a more sustainable and biodiverse world. Therefore, we invite global partners, educational institutions, youth organisations, and environmental leaders to join us in this transformative journey. Together, we can create an educational ecosystem, one empowering learners, fosters collective action, and delivers tangible solutions for the planet’s future.

Inaugural Speaking 4 the Planet competition ignites environmental passion in Africa

/in /by

Africa witnessed a groundbreaking event as the inaugural Speaking 4 the Planet competition took center stage, hosted by St Mark’s College, Namagoma.

This momentous occasion marked a pivotal step in igniting environmental consciousness across the continent.

The competition, held under the theme “Use your philosophy as a club to address environmental challenges,” brought together eleven clubs, each presenting a compelling array of speeches, creative arts, and visual representations advocating for environmental preservation.

 

Event highlights:

Under the meticulous guidance of judges Jackie, John Paul, and Arnold, participants showcased their talents across three categories:

  1. Speech: Students delivered impassioned addresses, both junior and senior, highlighting the urgency of environmental conservation within a strict four-minute timeframe.
  2. Creative Arts: Clubs exhibited their creativity through dance, skits, or poetry, each performance limited to four minutes.
  3. Art Piece: A visually captivating aspect where participants articulated the essence of their artwork within a concise one-minute presentation.

Inspiration and dedication:

Leading the charge in organizing this transformative event was Bruno Muyunga, an environmental activist and IT specialist at St Mark’s College, Namagoma. Muyunga’s unwavering commitment stemmed from a deep-seated passion for protecting the environment, fueled by his childhood experiences of witnessing the natural world.

Attending the 12th World Environmental Education Congress in Abu Dhabi served as a catalyst for Muyunga, reinforcing the imperative for environmental education and awareness. Inspired by the global discourse on sustainability, he resolved to spearhead initiatives aimed at nurturing a generation equipped to safeguard the planet.

Impact and future prospects

The Speaking 4 the Planet competition transcended mere rhetoric, serving as a catalyst for tangible action and advocacy. By engaging diverse stakeholders and fostering dialogue on environmental stewardship, the event illuminated the path towards a more sustainable future.

As the winner, the Science Club emerged triumphant, symbolizing a collective commitment to environmental preservation.

Their prize, a symbolic goat, epitomized the profound connection between humanity and nature, underscoring the responsibility entrusted upon future generations.

Looking ahead, St Mark’s College, Namagoma, sets the stage for the next chapter in Africa’s environmental journey, with plans to host future iterations of the Speaking 4 the Planet competition. Through collective endeavor and unwavering determination, the seeds of change sown today promise a greener, more resilient tomorrow.

Acknowledgments

The success of the Speaking 4 the Planet competition would not have been possible without the invaluable support of collaborating partners, including the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre, AAEE, Paddy Pallin, and the WEEC Secretariat. Their unwavering commitment to environmental advocacy exemplifies the spirit of collective action and solidarity in safeguarding our planet.

As the curtains close on this inaugural event, Africa stands poised on the precipice of a new environmental awakening. The journey towards sustainability beckons, with each step forward guided by the shared vision of a harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world.

The programme of WEEC2024: everything you need to know

/0 Comments/in , /by

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.

Education as if People and Planet Matter. Present your essay and win 5,000£

/in /by

Schumacher College is celebrating its 30th anniversary launching an international essay competition on the theme of “Education as if People and Planet Matter”, in collaboration with Resurgence & Ecologist magazine.
Schumacher College has pioneered and promoted a very different paradigm of values-based, holistic education over the past 30 years.

Today’s education system presents young people with a world still dominated by materialism, consumerism and the heedless exploitation of both people and the planet. It’s hopelessly ‘unfit for purpose’ as we wrestle with today’s converging crises of the Climate Emergency, ecological collapse, racial inequality and worsening social injustice.
This educational system is in urgent need of transformation if we wish to see education remaining relevant to the age of ecology and serving the purpose of the regenerative culture and sustaining the integrity of our precious planet earth.

Competition rules. Schumacher College invites you to write an essay under the title “Education as if People and Planet Matter”. The essay should be addressed to general readers, and not to either education or sustainability specialists as such. The length of the essay should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words.

The Entry Fee is £10 ( or $15.00 or €15.00) and this fee will cover the administration of the competition, with any surplus going to support learning programmes at Schumacher College.

The winner will receive a £5,000 cash prize, with an opportunity to present their essay at the anniversary event at Schumacher College in autumn 2021. A £2,000 cash prize will go to the second place, and £1,000 to the third runner-up.  The winner and two runners-up will receive their awards at the anniversary event.

Apart from the cash prize, we are also planning to publish a book of essays on “Education as if People and Planet Matter”.

To enter, complete the form.

The final deadline for the submission is 1st July 2021. Winners will be announced: 1st October

Call for interview with Prairie Climate Center

/in /by

The Prairie Climate Center  is looking for teachers from all over Canada and who teaches every age group to do an online interview about their online resource, Climate Atlas of Canada.

The interview will last about 1 hour. No previous experience with Climate Atlas of Canada is required. You will be asked about the browsing experience on their site to give a  feedback in real time.

You can find all the details in the image below.

 

Research Grants Program for academic projects

/in /by

The Spencer Foundation launches the Small Research Grants Program. It supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets up to $50,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.

This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or location. The goal is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education. The proposals will span a wide range of topics and disciplines that innovatively investigate questions central to education, including for example education, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, law, economics, history, or neuroscience, amongst others.

Projects that utilize a wide array of research methods including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, ethnographies, design-based research, participatory methods, and historical research are welcome.

Proposals to the Research Grants on Education program must be for academic research projects that aim to study education. Proposals for activities other than research are not eligible.

Applications are accepted three times per year. The first deadline is March 1, 2021.

Read more information here

Program contact: Jasmine Janicki, smallgrants@spencer.org

Let’s talk about education

/in /by

Wednesday 20th January at 5 PM – 5.45 PM (Montreal local time)

During this webinar Parlons d’éducation (Let’s talk about education), Lucie Sauvé, WEEC Advisory Board member and associated professor at UQAM didactic Department, will answer Martin Duquette questions, deputy general director of CSSPI (Centre de services scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’Ille) about environmental education.

You can follow the event live at this page facebook.com/uqamdiplomes/

To participate you just have to register at event on Facebook or LinkedIn

This activity is organized by the Bureau des diplômés of Quebec University in Montreal in collaboration with the Conseil de diplômés of Environmental Science Faculty.

For further information: https://diplomes.uqam.ca/55-a-l-agenda/1093-parlons-d-education

Celebrating the World EE Day 2020, experiences and activities all around the world

/in , /by

The third edition of the World Environmental Education Day took place from 14 to 26 October 2020.  The Weec Network invited all the stakeholders of the environmental education to join the World Environmental Education Day organising special events to highlight the importance of environmental educational actions all over the world.

The aim of EE Day is to focus on the complexity of the challenges in a world where everything is ever more interconnected. Several associations, environmental education centres, schools and institutions sent us information about their events in 2020. We would like to thank all those who wanted to promote environmental education this year, despite the pandemic.

Here we present a selection of interesting case histories.

 

Bénin
Cercle de Recherche pour l’Identification et la Promotion des Alternatives du Développement Durable (CRIPADD)

CRIPADD is convinced that an environmental education program for children is essential to raise environmental awareness. It is with this in mind that they initiated an animation campaign for the benefit of schoolchildren at the public primary school of Hio. It will focus on environmental themes drawn from their environment.

This initiative was set up after the momentous decision to ban mangrove cutting in Avlékété, an area of ​​impressive biodiversity, but overexploited. However, the decision of environmental protection is putting many families in economic difficulty.

 

Bhutan
Royal Education Council

Environmental education is one of the national priorities towards achieving the goals of Gross National Happiness. To this effect, Environmental Science for classes 9 to 12 was introduced as optional subject with the aim of developing youths who are in peace and harmony with the tangible and intangible environment. As a consequence, nature is used sustainably for the wellbeing of people and the nature.


Canada
International Francophonie (Francophonie internationale)
Revue Éducation relative à l’environnement

The Revue Éducation relative à l’environnement, part of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), has set up a Google discussion group (mailing list) concerning the field of Environmental Education. In this group, members can exchange information (announcements of colloquia, seminars or webinars; publications; call for contributions for an event; call for publication; links to a website or webpage, etc.), ask subscribers research questions on the subject of the list, help other subscribers by answering the questions asked, receive information… as long as it is in the field of Environmental Education. The language used by this group is French. This list is moderated and you will have the possibility to unsubscribe at any time.

To be a member of this group, send an email at revue.ere@uqam.ca

 

Chile
Fundación Cosmos

Fundación Cosmos manages the Rio Maipo Wetland Nature Sanctuary located on the central coast of Chile. This is one of the most important coastal wetlands in the area, both because it is home to more than 180 species of birds, and because of the environmental services it provides to local communities and the ecosystem in general. However, it is not free from threats and factors that deteriorate it and affect its biodiversity, such as the presence and accumulation of rubbish that reaches it through high tides or the flooding of the Maipo River. To commemorate World Environmental Education Day, they have organised a community rubbish clean-up, which is more important than ever, given the arrival of migratory birds in the wetland. Through the clean-up, the Fudación generates awareness about the origin of the rubbish and the possible destiny of the waste that we all produce, encouraging a change in behaviour with respect to it.

 

France
Association Centre de découverte du son

The Association Centre de découverte du son will organize a nature outing: “Sons Buissonniers”. Walks will be organised in search of musical instruments that nature can offer. Magical moments where a blade of grass turns into a whistle, fruit into percussion. Then pupils will discover how to manipulate and have fun with these sound objects.

 

France
Litt’Obs

Litt’Obs will organise an educational discovery of rays and sharks with a school public as part of the Festival Baie des Sciences in St-Brieuc, on 14th of October.

 

Italy
Department of Education Studies at University of Bologna

An informal group of professor and students engaged on environmental education is organizing a web event (in Italian) addressed to students of the Department of Education Studies at University of Bologna, on the 16 October, 11 am-1 pm.
Title: Educazione ambientale, scuola, Indicazioni Nazionali (Environmental education, school and National Guide-lines), relator Prof. Stefano Piastra.

 

Italy
“MAREARTE” Project, travelling exhibition

The “MareArte” project was born from an idea of the artist Diego Racconi as a collective of small paintings by international artists, received through the postal system. The theme of the works develops on the relationship between Man and the Sea, transforming art into a valid tool of awareness, through which to send a message to the community, stimulating virtuous behaviour and raising awareness of respect for the environment. The large participation of the artists with their personal postcards led to the development of the initiative by organizing a traveling collective exhibition, in which some specific works created by the artist Diego Racconi are also presented for a charity action in support of reality. that deal with the recovery of marine animals. The exhibition is structured and proposed thanks to the collaboration of various institutional bodies involving them for the promotion of the initiative in their own territory and is sent through the postal system from location to location in the various destinations, through a tour and a travel route using the postal system. The initiative focuses on environmental sustainability issues and for this reason the invitation to participate in the initiative is also extended to children, precisely to involve the new generations on ecological environmental issues and sustainability objectives. All the works received will be collected at the end of the exhibition in an artist’s book and will therefore not be returned. The Exibition is now hosted at the Museo Barca Lariana (MBL) – Pianello del Lario, Como, Italy

 

Madagascar
Institute of People and Nature (IPN)

The Institute of People and Nature (IPN) will take part at the celebration of the World Environmental Education Day with a webinar on “Environmental Education in Madagascar from 1985 to 2020: background and trends”. The main objective is to inform the audience about the EE actions taken in Madagascar Island since the start in 1985, their impacts and current trends. The target groups are: Members of IPN group (217 members from Malagasy public and private Universities); and Environmental Education, Conservation and Sustainable Development professionals, University students worldwide interested in EE and environment-related issues in Madagascar. It will take place on 14th October at 12:00 GMT. The webinar will be conducted in French. The speaker is Andrianambinintsoa RAKOTOMALALA (Environmental Educator – Sociolinguist, Faculty of Science, University of Toliara, MADAGASCAR)

 

 

North-Macedonia
School of OOU Vlado Tasevski, Skopje

The school of OOU Vlado Tasevski will organise a Climate Action Project and Climate Change and Environment Activities on: Climate Change and biodiversity loss; the effects of climate change; the solutions; pedagogy and education; sustainable education; and SSGoals.

 

Turkey
SUGEP

The Sustainable Development Youth Leaders Education program will develop knowledge, skills and attitudes about sustainability. This program not only increases knowledge and awareness, but also improves skills and enables individuals to make more informed decisions about the environment.

There are a few methodologies that will create a solution-oriented project approach to many issues such as global climate change, gender equality, disruption of ecological balance, separation of biodiversity, ending hunger and poverty, sustainability cities, clean and sustainability energy, life in water. They will find knowledge to improve have academic and personal skills through organizational skills, speaking in front of the community, speaking a speech, preparing a project report.

 

Uruguay
National Network of Environmental Education for Sustainable Human Development of Uruguay (RENEA), Montevideo

From 5 to 7 November, a virtual meeting will set up. Experts from all over the region are invited to present their experiences and reflections on Latin American environmental education. Environmental education for sustainable human development implies an ethical, political and social commitment in a given time and space with the formation of a citizenship committed to participating democratically in decision-making and the execution of actions aimed at a socially equitable development, supportive and balanced between human needs and environmental care. In this very special year, environmental educators have faced new challenges and generated new learnings. It is more than ever a good time to meet, this time virtually, to continue the tradition of reflecting and building environmental education together.

 

USA
California Institute of Environmental Design and Management (CIEDM)

CIEDM will support WEED2020 by participating in the global campaign with following actions:

1. Raise public awareness of WEED2020 by spreading its campaign messages through its social medias, along with those of other environmental awareness events in and around October 14-25, such as Earth Science Week, International Day for Disaster Reduction, and Image a Day without Water;

2. Maintain and enhance through physical works the ecological and environmental services of the homestead pocket forest at Arcadia EcoHome as a registered pollinator site, a certified wildlife habitat, a certified pollinator habitat, and a verified ocean friendly garden.

We invite you to sign our campaign on Change to ask the United Nations, institutions, private and public organizations of five continents, to recognize and celebrate every year, on October 14th, the World Environmental Education Day.

Covid-19 crisis and the Life-Principle of Learning

/in /by

As a teacher, I believe that the first principle of education is the affirmation and celebration of life. Life is precious and every bit worth preserving and honouring. Little wonder, here is the emphatic command of the King Himself on behalf of Life, Milu Rinpoche: ‘Not a single life should be lost to coronavirus’.

The whole world is coming around!

All our teaching and learning will go only so far and no further if this basic principle of education is missing. As unusual as the current situation is, it may provide a welcome opportunity to re-discover the fundamental goal of education – that is Sherig – meaning ‘deep learning’. We will then be able to locate the core purpose of education as it ought to be.

The scourge of the coronavirus has forced education systems around the world to find alternative ways of teaching the students and engaging them meaningfully during these uncertain periods of home-stay while at the same time hoping to ‘cover the sacrosanct syllabus’!

The Ministry of Education has formulated versatile plans and our fellow-teachers are making valiant efforts to marshal technology to reach out to their students. All this is as it ought to be in the given ongoing situation. And, the results, I would like to believe, must match the inputs.

In the unlikely event that current public security interventions warrant extension, an additional option could require the students to explore diverse and original formats to represent their previous year’s or semester’s learning and submit credible samples of work for assessment at the end of the designated period.

Knowledge is power but how knowledge is internalised and represented is success.

This alternative would provide greater diversity in learning and in representing what is learnt, free learning from undue dependence on expensive gadgets especially in disadvantaged areas, relieve teachers to focus on more purposeful support and monitoring, and build greater integrity in learning.

Above all, such alternatives would emphasise depth over breadth, insights over information, quality over quantity, education over qualification, among other advantages.

The intent of Every Village a School: Every Home a Classroom, and Educating for Gross National Happiness initiatives was to pave the way for learning blessed with integrity.

For now though, precious Life is absolute Priority Number 1.

We are all in it together… in our efforts, in prayers, in our hope…

Thakur S Powdyel
Former Minister of Education in Bhutan, Starter of Green School in Bhutan

Daughters of the Forest, documentary film

/in /by

The documentary film Daughters of the forest tells the intimate, powerful story of a small group of girls in one of the most remote forests left on earth who are transformed by attending a radical high school where they learn to protect the threatened forest and build a better future for themselves.It tells the story of these girls living in a rural area where more than 95 percent of the forest has been razed for multi-national agri-businesses.

Meanwhile, more than 80 percent of the people in the region live in extreme poverty, and nearly 90 percent of the teenage girls become pregnant by the age of 16, then drop out of school.

Despite this landscape of despair, The Centro Educativo Mbaracayu, is a place of hope and opportunities for these young girls as they become agents of change.