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CSW68: Leveraging Education in Emergencies for Climate Action
Moderated by Ms. Sarah Ng’inja, Senior Adviser for Education at UNICEF, the event featured opening remarks by Ms. Maria Begona Lasagabaster, Director of UNESCO's Division for Gender Equality. Ms. Lasagabaster underscored UNESCO's important contribution to the Geneva Global Hub's 2023 Flagship Report, highlighting its efforts in showcasing success stories from diverse country contexts and amplifying the voices of Ministries of Education on climate change challenges.
“UNESCO is committed to providing gender-responsive technical assistance to Member States and local communities, and we engage extensively with women scientists to address environmental challenges, also from the angle of indigenous knowledge and indigenous science – which are often transmitted from one generation to the next by women”.
Ms. Lasagabaster emphasized the disproportionate impact of climate change on girls in crisis-affected regions, citing alarming projections of millions of girls missing out on education annually by 2025 due to the climate crisis. Urging immediate action to safeguard girls' education, she outlined UNESCO's holistic approach to addressing the nexus of education, gender equality, and climate action. Through initiatives like the Global Dialogue on Gender Equality and the Climate Emergency, UNESCO aims to champion policies and programs prioritizing education in emergencies and integrating gender considerations to foster resilient communities capable of navigating climate-related risks.
The event also featured a panel discussion highlighting key findings and opportunities from the Geneva Global Hub for EiE 2023 Flagship Report, stressing the urgent need to prioritize and invest in education during emergencies to mitigate the impact of climate crises on girls and women. Ms. Petra Heusser, Geneva Hub for EiE Hub Coordinator, highlighted the report's recommendations, calling for on-the-ground initiatives, closer stakeholder collaboration, and increased funding for climate resilience in education. She emphasized the critical role of education in climate action and urged concerted efforts to ensure access for all children and youth, particularly those most vulnerable.
Also joining the panel discussion, Mr. Michael Nabieu, a Youth Leader from Sierra Leone. From firsthand encounters, he shared sobering insights into the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly in Sierra Leone and underscored the critical need to prioritize education and foster a nurturing environment for youth. Ms. Raakhi Williams, Chief of Strategy and Planning at Education Cannot Wait, emphasized the report's in-depth analysis of the increasing complexity of climate-driven disasters, underscoring the urgent need for a multifaceted response to support inclusive education in affected regions. Ms. Williams also addressed the chronic underfunding of the education sector in humanitarian response, stressing the necessity for increased financial support to meet the needs of vulnerable children.
Ms. Adrienne Soobin Park, from the Green Climate Fund's BRACE Programme, outlined the program's objectives and strategies to bolster climate resilience in vulnerable countries' education sectors. The initiative's main objectives are to construct climate-resilient schools, integrate climate change education, and provide early climate warnings to educational institutions. By aligning with the Comprehensive School Safety framework, BRACE also aims to enhance financial access, nurture successful case studies, and empower education sectors to address climate risks. Following the panel discussion, representatives from various member states highlighted efforts to ensure access to quality education, equipping youth with skills to face current and future climate change challenges.
