The 9th “Environment for Europe” (EfE) Ministerial Conference of UNECE, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to take place in Nicosia 5-7 October is without a doubt the culmination of our efforts so far in sustainability in education but it is not the end of the journey, Permanent Secretary of Education Ministry Neophytos Papadopoulos told the Cyprus News Agency.
“I can characteristically say that it is the beginning of a new path to reach new summits”, Papadopoulos said about the Conference which is the biggest event that Cyprus has ever hosted.
A total of 56 countries will be represented , 71 Ministers/Deputy Ministers will attend, 980 is the number of participants and 60 Youth Organizations will be represented. Four High Level meetings and more than 150 bilateral/tripartite meetings will be held. Two declarations will also be signed, one on sustainable development and one on the environment.
Papadopoulos noted that Cyprus hopes that this Conference and its conclusions will become a basin of feedback for the future and that the results will be exploited to the best extend possible, so that there is continuous development.
“Beyond the symbolism for the choice of Cyprus, it is important to say that the initiatives undertaken and developed by our country and its good practices for sustainability in education were recognized,” he said.
Papadopoulos spoke about the active participation of Cyprus in all these events and about the establishment of our country as a pioneer in the approach to education for sustainable development.
“This is acknowledged and we are known internationally in this area,” he emphasized.
Papadopoulos also noted as particularly important the fact that these events usually do not include education, but now do because of Cyprus.
“Environmental education could no longer ignored because of the actions that have been developed. And that in itself is a success,” he said.
One of the pillars that will be discussed is the promotion of Education for sustainable development, as a strong catalyst for the transition to more resilient systems and the implementation of all Sustainable Development goals, which is why the Ministry’s role in this and the active engagement of the youth, is a decisive factor.
Ministry’s Permanent Secretary also told Cyprus News Agency that the Presidency of the UNECE will use the events and results of this Summit to pass new approaches and messages in the area of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
“This gives an added value to our role which is recognized to be the connecting link in the region. And there is also the feedback. Because from the moment you are the ambassador of specific practices, you acquire this responsibility to maintain yourself at a high level and at the same time it is an excellent incentive for progress and consistency”, he stressed.
Papadopoulos said that as Cyprus we will attempt to promote activities and thematic approaches that have been established as good practices, many of which are our own.
“Our activity and our approach to the subject has led to the introduction of sustainability in education and we expect it to continue to be there in the same way. And precisely because it was included and there is a period of five years until the next Conference, we have an opportunity to capitalize the gains and benefits for Cyprus “, he added.
He referred to the Ministry’s approach to green transition and digital learning through modern methods and practices, combined with sustainability in education.
Ηe further explained that the program “Produce for the goals of sustainable development 2030” utilizes the educational policy axis ‘sustainability and green transition’ and integrates all the elements of modern teaching since it combines alternative learning processes and interdisciplinary work.
According to Papadopoulos, the nature of the work challenges students to deepen and look for connections and synergies between the goals of sustainable development and acts as a catalyst for their active participation in the learning process. At the the same time, he noted, it encourages teamwork, emancipates creative expression and promotes IT and technological literacy.
Papadopoulos also referred to the fact that through the process, active citizenship and personal and social responsibility are also promoted.
The Conference will also present 28 short animated films created by primary and secondary school students from Cyprus, which are recognized as an example of good practice internationally. “They will travel all over Europe as an imprint of the critical thinking of the children of the schools of Cyprus and a living proof of the quality, potential and perspective of education in our country”, said Papadopoulos.
He also focused on the fact that through this process not only one medium is used but many, and added that a variety of characteristics and skills are highlighted which students must acquire through an experiential approach to education. A total of 110 groups of students from 90 schools participated in the process which covered a span of 3 years.
These students for three years were extremely active in the whole process and the presentation of the films during the Conference, is their greatest reward.
“There is this interaction and mutual training of students and teachers through this process. These are not easy elements to pass”, Papadopoulos noted.
He said that in the various topics to be discussed at the Conference, Cyprus will present these elements as part of the holistic approach. It is important that students and teachers will take part in one of the many discussions and talk about how they want and envision education and how they see themselves through the whole process.
“Education through the years changes. And we want to bring students into contact with different ways of expression or activities that lead to the formation of a trend in favor of sustainability or their contribution to it”, he noted.
Papadopoulos will attend COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in exactly one month, where he will present the Cyprus report on climate change in education.
