DUBAI, 11th December, 2023 (WAM) — The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Office for Climate Education and Alef Education, has unveiled the Educators’ Voice platform. The initiative aims to enhance green education resources accessible to teachers and educational officials globally through open sources, empowering them to advance their climate readiness.
The launch took place during a special event held at the Greening Education Hub – Legacy from the Land of Zayed at Expo City Dubai.
The event was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education; Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Schools Establishment; David Wilgenbus, the Executive Director of the Climate Education Office, and Dr. Aishah Al Yammahi, an advisor on the Board of Directors at Alef Education.
Attended by approximately 150 teachers and educational officials at the Greening Education Hub, the event also saw the virtual participation of over 500 individuals through video technology.
Dr. Al Falasi emphasised the pivotal role of education in sustainability, highlighting how teachers instill values of climate and environmental responsibility in young minds, nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Dr. Al Falasi further emphasised that the launch of the Educators’ Voice platform is part of the Ministry’s commitment to creating a lasting impact beyond COP28. He noted that the platform will facilitate the establishment of an interactive community for teachers and educational officials, providing a space for them to share expertise, exchange experiences, and showcase best practices in green education.
Commending the positive engagement of educators with the Educators’ Voice initiative since its inception, he highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with partners to establish the new platform, aiming to build on past achievements. The goal is to inspire educational personnel to take the initiative in proposing practical solutions and innovative approaches to incorporate climate education and sustainability concepts within educational systems worldwide.
Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri congratulated the winning teachers in the international Educators’ Voice initiative. She praised their outstanding efforts and innovative contributions, emphasising their dedication to sharing initiatives globally, contributing to a sustainable and safe future for future generations.
She highlighted that the winning teachers, including three from the Emirates School Establishment, showcased exceptional capabilities through initiatives that offer cutting-edge solutions in sustainable climate and environmental action, aiming to make a positive impact.
The event also marked the announcement of the results of the third edition of the “TEACHERsCOP” competition, which focuses on projects, activities, and initiatives launched by teachers and educational officials to raise awareness about climate change and tackle its challenges. A total of 10 projects, comprising five from the UAE and five from various parts of the world, reached the final evaluation phase. The winning project, submitted by the teacher Noor Halini Allias from Malaysia, was determined through voting by educators participating in the event, whether in person or virtually.
The competition experienced an impressive turnout from educational personnel worldwide, with a total of 386 projects submitted. Among these, 165 were contributed by educational officials, and 221 were submitted by teachers. Participants hailed from 62 countries around the globe, showcasing a diverse and widespread engagement in the initiative.
