Education for Climate Change in the Pacific Seema Deo, Education and Communications Advisor Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) VISION: The Pacific environment sustaining our livelihoods and natural heritage in harmony with our cultures.
Overview The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Our work in Climate Change Climate Change in the region Policies and approaches Education approaches Regional actors in Climate Change Education Climate change education an opportunity to synergise educational approaches S.Chape/SPREP
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Regional Intergovernmental body responsible for environmental management and conservation in the context of sustainable development All Pacific Island Countries and Territories are Members + Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States Traditionally work through national environment focal points; now more inter-sectoral approaches Provide a coordinating role in climate change and technical assistance for on-ground projects and at international negotiations
SPREP s work in Climate Change International negotiations PICCAP (Pac Is CC Adapation Programe) CBDAMPIC (pilot adaptation programme) PACC (Pacific Adaptation to CC) PIGGAREP (mitigation through renewable energy) Meteorology cap bldg for disaster management/cc Ecosystem-based adaptation Implement Article 6 of UNFCCC
SPREP s work in Climate Change Education and Communication ad hoc publication of information material (factsheets, posters, etc) Pacific Year of Climate Change (2009) Website Media awareness and education Media support at COPs CC Film Project/Film Festival (2008) Children s storybook Support national public awareness programmes [Teachers Guide for CC ed]
Regional Approaches to Addressing Climate Change Pacific Islands Framework for Action on Climate Change (PIFACC) recently revised Pacific CC Roundtable Pacific Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Action Plan DPCC Development Partners in CC CROP CEOs Working Group on CC
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management The human and economic costs of natural disasters (storm surges, cyclones, floods and droughts) is generally well appreciated in most islands of the Pacific Communities have adapted at some level to natural disasters SPREP
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Climate change presents the additional challenge of increased frequency, unpredictability and more intense and prolonged nature of some natural events Improved understanding of the changes brought on by CC is necessary for longterm DRRM
Education perspective DRRM gives practical relevance to CC SPREP
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management at policy level There is strong regional consensus for integration of Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management at all levels, including education Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (August 2011), has developed a roadmap toward integrating the two frameworks Pacific CC Education Framework also addresses DRRM
Regional Actors in Climate Change SPREP Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Pacific Australia CC Science and Adaptation Programme USP SPC/SOPAC UN UNDP/UNICEF/UNEP/FAO
Regional Actors in Climate Change Education USP UNESCO SPREP SPC PREL/PCEP United Nations University (Japan) Live and Learn Environmental Education National governments education, marine, forestry sector, etc Pacific Conference of Churches WWF, IUCN, other regionallybased international organisations Civil Society (national and international eg. 350.org)
Climate Change Education in the Pacific FORMAL EDUCATION Largely ad hoc, often driven by projects Several examples of resource kits, training modules and other tools Mainly focused on science/knowledge formal curriculum Mostly mitigation rather than adaptation Some examples of practical approaches (disaster risk, tree planting) Efforts at integration into curriculum (UNESCO, PCEP) Limited ongoing teacher training focus
Regional and Global Picture International UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development UN Education for All Millennium Development Goals Article 6 of the UNFCCC
Regional and Global Picture Regional Pacific Education Development Framework Pacific Education for Sustainable Development Framework (PESD) and Action Plan Other frameworks and action plans Climate Change Education Framework?
SPREP What type of educational approach will ensure a society capable of developing solutions and is willing to do so?
THANK YOU All photos in this presentation are the copyright of SPREP or the photographer and may not be reused in any manner without the express written permission of SPREP. SPREP/CCPhotoCompetition 11