Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Office for Climate Education (OCE) and Alef Education, has announced the launch of the “Educators’ Voice” initiative. The initiative is aimed at recognising the important role of educational professionals in raising awareness and addressing climate change while preparing for its potential impacts.
The initiative will be showcased during COP28, which is scheduled to be hosted by the UAE in November.
This cooperation with the OCE aims to encourage educators to participate and present their climate projects from all over the world. It further seeks to organise side events related to climate action in the Education Pavilion, which will be opened for the first time in the history of the COP.
Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-Secretary of the Care and Capacity Building Sector at the Ministry of Education, stressed the importance of the initiative in empowering and preparing educators worldwide while fostering their innovative and creative potential.
The Ministry of Education is committed to continuing to collaborate with all local, regional, and international strategic partners to develop initiatives and programmes aimed at raising awareness about the importance of education in addressing climate change and tackling its challenges. We strive to provide students with climate education and environmentally conscious skills in order to enhance their ability to adapt to climate change impacts and prepare for their consequences.
Dr. Al Shamsi shared.
As part of the initiative, the OCE will organise the third edition of the TeachersCOP competition. This international event is aimed at raising awareness about the impactful work carried out by teachers and the role they play in addressing challenges and enhancing the global response to climate change.
According to the OCE President Mr. Eric Guilyardi, the TeachersCOP event sheds light on the unwavering commitment and dedication of educational professionals who play a significant role in integrating climate issues within the education system. Their utilisation of the educational process as a powerful tool for reshaping climate concepts and their continuous dedication to creating a daily impact strengthen the global response to climate change.
Mr. Geoffrey Alphonso, CEO of Alef Education, commented that “we are honoured to be selected as a strategic partner by the Ministry of Education to advance climate education. Our mission at Alef Education closely aligns with the ministry’s vision of empowering teachers and inspiring students to become prominent contributors in addressing climate change challenges.”
The OCE, in collaboration with its partners, will host regional online seminars in Arabic, French, Spanish, and English. The objective is to encourage global teacher participation and boost the number of projects.