Month: September 2024

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WESTMINSTER

Westminster Education Forum: Next Steps for Climate Change and Sustainability Education in England

Why is understanding and preserving 
the world are not valued by all humans?
Mary Cowell

The recent conference on climate change and sustainability education in England provided a critical platform for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to discuss the future of climate education.

 

Key issues included the rollout of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, which aims for all educational institutions to have a designated sustainability lead and Climate Action Plans by 2025.

Highlights:

  • Discussions on the Government’s new Curriculum and Assessment Review and its impact on embedding climate education in the curriculum.
  • The Climate Ambassadors Scheme, expanding to support students and teachers in leading climate-related initiatives.
  • Introduction of the Natural History GCSE by September 2025, giving students in-depth knowledge about environmental issues and the natural world.
  • Rollout of the Climate Action Planning Sector Engagement and Support Service (SESS), a DfE initiative to provide free, cross-disciplinary support to schools.

Key speakers included:

  • Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, Co-Lead of the Climate Ambassador Scheme, who discussed its progress.
  • Mary Colwell, Conservationist and Director of Curlew Action, on the ambitions for the new GCSE.
  • Lauren Hyams, Head of Learning at the Natural History Museum, emphasized collaboration across educational settings to empower students in climate action.

This event signals important steps forward in integrating climate change and sustainability into England’s education system.

More details about the programme:

This policy conference will cover critical themes for the rollout of climate change and sustainability education in England, featuring a range of expert speakers from academia, policy, and industry. Key topics include:

  • Climate Ambassador Scheme: Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (University of Reading) will discuss progress and next steps.
  • Sustainability Education in Schools: Ann Finlayson (SEEd), Professor Sylvia Knight (Royal Meteorological Society), and Kelly Smith (The Royal Society) will examine curriculum design, practical challenges, and collaboration.
  • Natural History GCSE: Mary Colwell (Curlew Action) will outline the aims and ambitions of the upcoming GCSE.
  • Engaging Learners and Teachers: Dr. Cormac Lawler (Manchester Metropolitan University), Naheeda Maharasingam (Rathfern Primary School), and Dr. Deborah Outhwaite (London School of Economics) will share strategies for implementing Climate Action Plans and promoting sustainability in education.
  • Collaboration and Empowerment: Lauren Hyams (Natural History Museum) will explore how to empower young people to take climate action.
  • Pathways to Green Jobs: Martin Baxter (IEMA), Louise Wolsey (London & South East Education Group), and Dr. Paul Warwick (University of Plymouth) will discuss the green jobs market and career opportunities for students.

With contributions from Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle and Lord Redesdale, the event promises to shape the future of climate change education in England.

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UNESCO – DIGITAL LEARNING WEEK

Digital Learning Week is UNESCO’s annual flagship event on ⁠digital learning and the transformation of education. Launched in 2023, building on the foundation of UNESCO’s Mobile Learning Week over the past decade, the event aims to convene the community of digital education leaders, policy-makers, researchers and practitioners from various organizations, including UN agencies, governments, NGOs and the private sector to steer technology for education.

Dr. Alexandra Okada was invited as a guest to participate in the discussions and to present the new e-book, Knowledge Cartography for Younger Thinkers – Sustainability Issues, Mapping Techniques, and AI Tools

UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week presents a unique opportunity to participate in dynamic and thought-provoking discussions, dialogue and the sharing of groundbreaking ideas, and to foster critical and creative thinking to advance the digital transformation of education and to “reimagine our futures together.

Human societies face the dual challenges of digital and green transitions. While technology promises progress, it also introduces ethical issues, particularly with AI, and accelerates digitalization’s impact on climate change. Generative AI’s rapid rise is outpacing regulatory adaptations, and the digital economy’s extractive model and e-waste undermine sustainable development. Education systems must foster human-centered mindsets and digital competencies to align these transitions, ensuring technology supports sustainable and ethical goals.

UNESCO’s 2024 Digital Learning Week enabled presenters, guests, and attendees to explore the linkages between these two transitions to promote the responsible use of digital technology in education.

Ms Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, opened the digital week by highlighting the role of digital education in shaping sustainable futures.

Ms Jessica Watson, the lead of Evidence for Emerging Technology from the Department for Education of the United Kingdom, presented  Generative AI in Schools in England: Teacher, Leader, and Student Views.

Ms Fay Skevington, the Head of AI Alignment for Education at the Department for Education of the United Kingdom, introduced  Greening Generative AI: Pedagogical Performance.

The main sessions area available here:

Day1: https://www.youtube.com/live/Mucljtofdrw?si=WFEqGLtHJF7ZRROQ

Day2:https://www.youtube.com/live/vfMO6__ihBs?si=YXc9ODTNCXtw1FJi

Day3: https://www.youtube.com/live/g6YP-HNZNP4?si=VOboYFvWNM5okSQT

Day4: https://www.youtube.com/live/RgFvkhl8iiU?si=63w8zrWUYWWSJspA

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