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

23 February 2024/0 Comments/in News, Press/by weec

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 13^th 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

15 February 2024/0 Comments/in News, Press/by weec

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.

WEEC2024: a global gathering for sustainable solutions

29 January 2024/0 Comments/in News, Press/by weec

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.

Safaa Obeid, UNRWA teacher in Jordan, is the winner of the Earth Prize Educator of the Year

6 April 2022/in News/by weec

Following the legacy of the original award, WEEC’s Secretary-General, Professor Mario Salomone selected Ms Safaa Obeid , a teacher at the UNRWA Sweileh Preparatory Girls’ School in Jordan, as the Earth Prize Educator of the Year and awarded a prize of US$ 12,500.

Ms. Obeid entered her students in the Earth Prize competition – an environmental sustainability competition for students between the ages of 13-19 – under the themes of concern to them as Palestine refugees in Jordan. These include, desertification of the Dead Sea by 2030, making camps more environmentally friendly and managing food waste in Jordan.

Ms. Obeid said:

“I am very proud to represent UNRWA in this international contest on environment sustainability and be awarded the “Educator of the Year” title. This amplifies my sense of responsibility towards my environment, my community and my students. I have been very keen to integrate environmental sustainability in the classroom by creating an enriching an environmental activity kit, which is user-friendly and easy to implement for the purpose of increasing my students’ awareness of environmental causes.”

In addition to Ms. Obeid’s students, 34 teams from 24 UNRWA schools and one vocational training centre registered their projects in the competition. Two UNRWA schools were named in the top 34 Earth Prize Scholar teams, namely the UNRWA Amqa Secondary Co-educational School in Lebanon and the UNRWA Gaza Training Centre, in Gaza.

The Earth Prize 2022 Educator of the year nominees were:

Pauline Herbommez, french teacher at Eton College, in Berkshire, England. With other members of the school staff, Ms Herbommez helped create the Belkshire Schools Eco Network (BSEN) and the Environmental Action Group (E@E). The BSEN and E@E attended COP26.

Imani Hudaa, teacher at Raila Educational Centre in Kibra, Nairob, Kenya. She has been involved in a number of school activities related the environment by encouraging learners to draw, act, dance and even write poetry about environment.

Ram Chandra Dahal, a faculty member at the Druk Gylalpo’s Institute in Bhutan. He believes that education is the key to making people live in coherence with nature and assume responsibility for its protection. At the school, he acts as a teacher, mentor, and the Coordinator for Emotional Area of Development.

Luc Arvisals, a teacher at Our Lady of the Snows in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. He has supported student work on a variety of projects: planning for rewilding of urban areas, institutionalising the use of aeroponic growing gardens at the school, fundraising for a solar testing system to gauge the economic viability of installing solar panels on the school.

Ruth Parry, has taught at the Institute Le Rosey in Switzerland for nine years. She has built links with over 20 local and international charities to support environmental and humanitarian issues, and has helped develop a whole school curriculum to support Service Learning projects and skill development.

Laurence Myers is the K-12 Service Learning Coordinator at the American School of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He supports student work on a variety of projects including the elimination of plastic water bottles, composting all landscaping and food waste, and establishing school-wide sustainability goal. He provides training and support educators in using systems-thinking for sustainability.

11th WEEC: Hybrid, young and integrated

24 March 2022/in Press/by weec

The 11th edition of the WEEC world environmental education congress has come to an end.
A special edition, held in Prague (Czech Republic) from 14 to 18 March 2022, characterized during its organization, by two years of pandemic. This has led to a change in the travel and training habits of all environmental educators, teachers and researchers, associations and institutions.

The WEEC adapted to the new context proposing for the first time a hybrid edition. It was a bet, which we can say we have won: about a third of the delegates participated online, making the participation possible for those who couldn’t or didn’t move (for health reasons, uncertainty linked to travel or for the costs).
The hybrid congress – which will probably remain in the next editions – will open the door to many new delegates, becoming more and more inclusive and welcoming. Environmental education is not for “a select few”, it must involve associations, parks, young people… and the 11th congress in Prague did it. «The future belongs to hybrid congresses – said Prof. Jan Cincera, co-chair of the congress and LOC organiser – I was quite sceptical about this, however in reality it worked very well. There may not be a covid in the next few years, but we will be certainly dealing with the carbon footprint. The key is to professionally provide and set up the interactive platform to suit the needs of the event. We were the first hybrid WEEC in history, but probably not the last».

The youth congress was a great success, it gathered over 120 participants from 22 countries and allowed children to compare themselves with each other and also with the adult congress. «The linking the “big” congress with the youth congress worked very well – added Cincera – In the future, I could imagine a higher level of integration between the two events. The YEEC organizers did a great job!»

An online platform with recordings of all content is built, extending the congress beyond its runtime, a participatory way, for creating a wider community. «The linking of the “academic” and “field-based, practice-oriented” parts also worked very well. Again, I could imagine a higher level of integration. Both “theorists” and “practitioners” have their own unique perspectives and it is important that they meet from time to time».

The 11WEEC is a new stage of the path started in 2003, with inspiring debates, conferences, and presentations. Every congress is a milestone for environmental education worldwide «but the congresses should above all be an opportunity of coagulation for a flow of energies, proposals, regenerative learning experiences, and best practices – explained Prof Salomone, Secretary General of the WEEC Network – It is crucial to fill the time between a congress and the next one, not only as individuals or education bodies but as a worldwide network.
As permanent secretariat, our human and technical resources are limited but are at the disposal of the worldwide community of researchers, teachers, and educators.
So, many positions are open at the network: positions for volunteers, for goodwill people. We must enhance initiatives and prepare at best the next congress thanks to the help of a large community».

WEEC congress: flow of energies around the world

21 March 2022/in Press/by weec

Photo by Petr Zewlakk Vrabec

Dear friends and colleagues,

We are nearly at the end of this eleventh congress. A new stage of the path started in 2003 is done.

Now we once again have a new long way to go.

We listened to many debates, conferences, and presentations, we paid attention to the voice of youth. Probably, we leave with a storm of ideas, with inspiring suggestions.

Despite everything – I said at the opening of the congress.

We are going to announce the twelfth congress in 2024.
Before the announcement, I’d like to thank the co-organisers again: the Masaryk University with a wonderful Jan Cincera and AIM group, their staffs, the institutions which gave their patronage, the partners, and the sponsors.

I’d also like to remind you that it is crucial to fill the time between a congress and the next one, not only as individuals or education bodies but as a worldwide network.

Local, national, regional meetings are welcome, as thematic groups and initiatives, webinars, forums, discussions of papers.

As permanent secretariat, our human and technical resources are limited but are at the disposal of the worldwide community of researchers, teachers, and educators.

Every congress is a milestone for environmental education worldwide. But the congresses should above all be an opportunity of coagulation for a flow of energies, proposals, regenerative learning experiences, and best practices.

So, many positions are open at the network: positions for volunteers, for goodwill people. We must enhance initiatives and prepare at best the next congress thanks to the help of a large community.

And now, it is an immense pleasure to invite the distinguished representative of the following local organising committee in 2024.

While I remind you that the call for hosting the 13th congress in 2026 is open, I announce that the 12th world environmental education congress will be in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).

Congratulations!
I thank so much to the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi for its engagement, its enthusiasm, and its strong competencies. Applause!

I invite H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri and Mr Ahmed Baharoon to take the podium to present the congress’s title and main aims.

Please!

Environmental education is to build a new ecological society

14 March 2022/in Senza categoria/by weec

Distinguished representatives of the United Nations institutions at our side since the beginning of our adventure in 2003,

Czech authorities,

All members and staff of the local organizing committee, dear friends and colleagues engaged in environmental education, many warmest thanks for attending this 11th congress in Prague, onsite or online.

In spite of everything, against all the odds, we are here, in some way, in person or thanks to the Internet.

“Thanks” is the first word I want to underline, the second is “In spite of everything, we are here”.

After two years of huge pandemic and in times of war near us, with refugees around us. The situation is getting worse and we express our solidarity for the victims of the war. “Near us” and “around us” is in the literal sense, near Prague and this congress Centre. But in a globalized world, on this small and finite planet, everywhere and everything is “near us”.

So, “Building bridges” and building bridges in times of climate urgency, this title imagined in 2018 is more and more meaningful.

In 1969 Environmental Education, the first journal on environmental education, inside of its first slim 32 pages issue, wrote that the goal of EE is that every citizen “knows it deep in his/her heart and bones, the simple facts that he/she is absolutely dependent on his environment, that he/she is affected by is environment, and that he/she affects his/her environment”.

This goal is ever valid, solid, and compelling.

This year we celebrate two significant fiftieth anniversaries: the first UN conference on the environment in Stockholm and the MIT report to the Club of Rome: “The Limits to Growth”.

Environmental education is to build a new ecological society.

According to Edgar Morin, it is to build a human community -a planetary community of destiny. Thanks to the culture of interdependence, and of the limits, it can come to light, a culture we can cultivate, breed, and spread. We must be a force of peace and ecological transition drivers.

It needs more competencies, more research, more relationships, and alliances. In sum, more contacts and a stronger WEEC Network.

On Wednesday, we will announce the 12th WEEC in 2024. From now we encourage all of you to consider candidacies for the 13th congress in 2026. The call for bids opens today.

Thanks a lot again. Have lovely days of talk, discoveries, and new friendships. And meet again every day after this 11th congress in Prague, which I wish fruitful and gratifying.

Despite everything.

Resolving Environmental Threats for the Benefit of Humanity, conference in Korea

20 January 2020/in News/by weec

The Twenty-Sixth International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences (ICUS XXVI) will be held in Seoul (Korea) on February 3 – 5. The main theme will be Resolving Environmental Threats for the Benefit of Humanity.

Mario Salomone, Secretary General of the WEEC Network is one of the speakers. The theme of his speech will be about Educating the Public in Environmental Best Practices.

The conference is organised by the HJIFUS, the Hyo Jeong International Foundation for the Unity of the Sciences. HJIFUS engages in research on the environmental ailments of Earth. As the Foundation has connections to many world level organizations, it is well-positioned to spread innovative ideas and best practices to leaders. HJIFUS institutions around the world work together to cosponsor international conferences and projects.

The mission of HJIFUS is to protect and regenerate the health of the environment, thereby enhancing the well-being of humanity and all life on Earth.

To do this, HJIFUS will identify environmental threats and their causes. The Foundation conducts research on solutions to the environmental problems directly or through partnering entities. After best solutions are identified, HJIFUS supports their implementation in areas of the world facing environmental challenges.

Environmental education to understand the complexity of the world

4 November 2019/in Press/by weec

Lyonpo Thakur Powdyel (on the left) with Mario Salomone WEEC Secretary General (on the right)

Your Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Honorable members and partners of Thai Organizing Committee, distinguished representatives of the UNESCO, UNFCCC and UNEP, distinguished representatives of public bodies, institutions, scientific societies, networks, universities, schools, parks, NGOs, dear friends and colleagues coming to Bangkok from all over the world, dear delegates from about seventy countries, I’m much honored to address to a such outstanding audience: my warmest thanks to all for attending the 10th World Environmental Education Congress.

Moreover, l would like to express my gratitude to the Kingdom of Thailand, to the people of this great and noble country for their warm welcome, their wonderful organization. And the splendid and superb mood you have made.

It is for me a great pleasure to open this congress. Among a lot of reasons, there are at least two main reasons for celebrating this great event in Bangkok:

1. We are meeting the goal of the 10th congress. Since 2003 the World Environmental Education Congresses are the most regular and important appointment for all the actors in environmental education (academia, associations, public institutions, civil society, etc.).

I hope the 10th WEEC will be a further opportunity for making the global WEEC network more useful. Having originated in 2003 and still growing, the 10th congress will enable the network to have broader and more active participation among the greatest possible number of environmental education actors, both academic and non-academic.

During the closing plenary session, on the 6th November, we announce the next milestone: The Eleventh World Congress, its location and its title, and we will open the ‘call for bid’ collecting candidacies for the congress in 2023.

Above all, I would like to remember and to underline you that WEECs are not simply congresses, but an opportunity of networking and partnerships for improving and strengthening the environmental education worldwide in the world.

WEECs are not simply scientific meetings, but are also a permanent organization fitted with advisory board, staff, websites, newsletters, WEECs are a strategic international network acting for spreading information, sharing knowledge, enhancing the work of thousands and thousands of teachers, researchers, educators, young environmental activists in all continents. Finally, an opportunity for all.

2. For the first time the WEECs land in Asia: the largest continent, the most populated, with a powerful and grandiose nature, with an ancient history and a flourishing of great civilizations, with the greatest variety of religious faiths, with the largest rural population and the largest number of workers in the industry. With a thriving economy until the Western/European colonization and which now resumes its place in the world, having therefore, like everyone, to face the challenge of sustainability.

Maybe, also a decolonization of the environmental education languages and patterns is needed.

In short, there is much to learn from Asia, and we hope it will be served, thanks to a conference full of papers, posters, workshops and authoritative speakers from four corners of the world and from different languages and cultures.

Today we are also closing a month of worldwide initiatives throughout October, around the World environmental education day we celebrate each year on 14th October, because on 14th October 1977 the Tbilisi United Nations – UNESCO – UNEP Conference on environmental education opened.

Environmental education is and will always be more fundamental in a world that changes quickly and poses increasingly complex challenges, starting with “global heating”.

Psychological resistance, petty and thirsty interests, egoism, divisions, ideological cages, fears, hatreds, prejudices, all obstacles to let us to feel as precarious and temporary tenants of Mother Earth and part of a single planetary “community of destiny” will also remain in the future.

So, environmental education must be the pivot, the guide and the beacon of the education for peace, for planetary citizenship, for a fair trade, for a social and environmental justice, for the global heating mitigation.

At the same time, environmental education claims with satisfaction the fruit of decades of awareness raising, to change consciences, give awareness, change attitudes and therefore behaviors, spread knowledge and above all build competences of active and responsible citizenship and for change.

And environmental education is exactly that: a holistic education, to understand the complexity of the world as modified by human action, to understand a slightly different world every morning, and to give all human beings reasons for brotherhood and sisterhood, between them and the planet and the tool to stand upright and not get carried away like extras from the muddy river of the History.

So, my greetings and my warmest wishes: have a joyful and productive congress!

Mario Salomone

September 20-27: a week for the future

13 September 2019/in News/by weec

World mobilization and strike week for the Earth from 20 to 27 September, announced by Fridays for future, while in New York on the 23rd António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, convenes the leaders of the planet for a summit leading to concrete actions for the climate. «Join the ‘Week for Future and Climate Justice’ of Fridays for future and take to the streets next to the young», this is the appeal of the Secretary General of the WEEC network Mario Salomone.

In New York, where Greta Thunberg arrived crossing the Atlantic by sailboat to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 is held.

The invitation of UN Secretary General António Guterres to world leaders is to bring to New York concrete and realistic plans to increase the measures decided at the national level by 2020, in line with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 45 % over the next decade and to reduce net emissions to 2050 by zero.

Guterres also appointed a special envoy, Mexican diplomat Luis Alfonso de Alba (in the photo), with the task of ensuring that every country in the world has the tools, vision and political will necessary for ambitious climate action, benefit of all aspects of society.

Fridays for future: a week of international mobilization, for the future and for climate justice. The WEEC Network is at their side

In the same days the mobilization week (with “global strike” on Friday) held by the Fridays for future takes place all over the world. A “global barrage” of climate strikes, they said, awaiting the participation of millions of students, workers and adults in general.

«The appeal of Greta Thunberg and the young people of Fridays for future – declared the secretary general of the international network of environmental education WEEC Mario Salomone – must certainly be picked up and relaunched. Teachers, university professors, educators in general, from every sector and every organization, must be mobilized, alongside their daily work of building up knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors, including the presence alongside all those who demonstrate against the climate crisis. The future and climate justice are also our goal».