Role of education for sustainable development addressed in Cyprus MED9-UN summit
28/6/2024 9:06
Education for sustainable development plays a key role in addressing environmental challenges, said Ministers and representatives of the MED9 group of countries participating in the two-day ministerial summit on "Education for Sustainable Development and the Green Transition in the Mediterranean", which takes place in Limassol, alongside the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) International Forum on "Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future - Youth Entrepreneurship and Participation".
In statements to the media, Cyprus Minister of Education Athena Michaelidou said that the messages from the summits taking place on the island is of particular significance, pointing out that more than 450 delegates from 45 different countries are attending these events.
She underlined the role of education and of young people who are the active citizens of the future and added that Cyprus has many positive examples and good practices to offer.
Greece’s Deputy Minister of Education, Religion and Sports Zeta Makri said that in Greece they well understand the consequences of the climate crisis and the fact that they must be addressed through education.
She said that the curricula are being reformed and children who live in remote, island or mountainous areas will also have access through the digital school model.
Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Almotaz Abadi said that the issues of education and sustainable development are absolutely important in dealing with all challenges in the Mediterranean, including climate crisis and its social and economic effects.
He said that the issues of lack of water, the energy issue and food crisis need to also be managed based in innovative solutions.
State Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of Croatia Iva Ivankovic said that during the two-day events they are able to share knowledge and good practices adding that education for sustainable development is a crucial content on all levels of education.
Clifton Grima, the Maltese Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation said that all countries in the Mediterranean face the same or similar challenges , adding that in Malta there is a huge emphasis on a shift towards a more centered approach for students.
He added that throughout cooperation and best practices we can assure that different countries around the Mediterranean together can achieve better results.
French Ambassador Salina Grenet-Catalano, speaking on behalf of the French Ministry of Education and Youth said that they want to tackle the very sensitive issue of global warming and protection of our environment and biodiversity.
She said that the discussions were fruitful adding that the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will take place in Nice, France and for this reason the topic is included in the school programs.
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