Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have partnered to launch the ‘Greening Capacities Initiative.’
The initiative is part of the Ministry’s efforts to achieve the objectives of the Green Education Partnership Roadmap in preparation for COP28. The initiative aims to promote climate education and action among youth to help them face the repercussions of climate change.
Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Care and Capacity Building Sector at the MoE, noted that the Ministry’s vision to achieve sustainable development goals aligns with the country’s national policies and the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071.
We are pleased to collaborate with UNICEF, a global institution. This partnership will empower educators to raise climate change awareness among learners. It will also nurture environmental awareness and sustainability skills, preparing learners to lead the UAE’s future sustainability efforts. The Ministry of Education will continue to form local and international strategic partnerships to organize programs fostering climate awareness among youth, adolescents, and children before, during, and after COP28.
Dr. Al Shamsi shared.
The MoE-UNICEF strategic partnership is centered around ‘Greening Capacities,’ one of the four pillars of the roadmap announced by the Ministry in April.
Under this partnership, both parties will launch and execute three joint programs, namely educator training, Net Zero Heroes, and the Children’s Art Competition. These programs seek to create a meaningful impact, empowering students and educators to navigate climate change as well as work towards a better environmental future.
Mr. Al Tayyeb Adam, Representative of UNICEF in the Gulf Region, commented that “we are pleased to sign this agreement with the UAE Ministry of Education, which demonstrates our mutual belief in the pivotal role educators and children play in climate action.”
“Combating the repercussions of climate change is imperative for safeguarding children globally. This underscores the vital role of education, encompassing curricula, teacher training, and school initiatives, in driving positive changes toward greater environmental sustainability. It is our responsibility to ensure that all children and youth receive climate education and actively participate in climate change discussions and decisions at local, national, regional, and global levels,” Mr. Adam added.