Ministry of Education and UNICEF collaborates to foster climate change education

In a groundbreaking move, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has partnered up with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to unveil the ‘Greening Capacities Initiative.’

This partnership comes as an integral component of the ministry’s extensive efforts to fulfill the goals outlined in the Green Education Partnership Roadmap, all in preparation for the much-anticipated COP28.

INITIATIVE ADVANCE CLIMATE EDUCATION

The ‘Greening Capacities Initiative’ is laser-focused on propelling climate education and catalysing action among children and youth.

Its primary mission is to equip young minds with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt to and tackle the challenges posed by climate change.

At the heart of this collaborative effort between MoE and UNICEF lies ‘Greening Capacities,’ one of the four core pillars articulated in the roadmap last April. The other pillars include ‘Greening Learning,’ ‘Greening Schools,’ and ‘Greening Communities.’

Through this strategic alliance, both entities are poised to roll out three pivotal joint programs – Educators Training, Net Zero Heroes, and the Children’s Art Competition.

These programmes have been meticulously designed to have a significant impact, with the overarching goal of empowering students and educators to navigate the complexities of climate change and actively contribute to a more environmentally sustainable future.

ROLE IN SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Care and Capacity Building Sector at the Ministry of Education, underlined the ministry’s vision to realise sustainable development goals that harmonise seamlessly with the nation’s overarching policies and the objectives set forth in the UAE Centennial 2071 agenda.

This visionary perspective found its tangible manifestation in the launch of the Green Education Roadmap and its core pillars, which are aimed at integrating sustainability and climate consciousness into the very fabric of the UAE’s education system.

Al Shamsi further emphasised the pivotal role that education plays in catalysing positive change and addressing the consequences of climate change.