In the Mediterranean, children and youth represent almost half of the population. Their potential to drive a nature-positive and climate-sensitive change is enormous. To unlock it, more efforts and investments are needed at all levels, notably in the educational sector. It is primordial to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes for a greener future.
This peer-to-peer session will bring together universities from the Euro-Mediterranean region. It will provide them with a platform to exchange the lessons learnt about adapting curricula to the challenges posed by climate change. What are the measures that work and what are the major obstacles they face?
The discussion will also focus on the financial dimension of curricula reforms in a changed climate. Ensuring adequate financial means is a precondition for the reform’s success. To assess accurately the costs, it is essential to understand the value of climate-smart education and the return on this investment in the long term. Are appropriate resources available to universities?
Speakers
Welcome remarks
- Ines Duarte, energy & climate project manager, Union for the Mediterranean – moderator (live)
- Marcello Scalisi, director of the Mediterranean Universities Union, UNIMED (online)
Opening remarks (both live)
- Mr. Jihad Alsawair, Deputy Secretary General Ministry of Environment, Jordan
- Vittore Negretto, Research Manager and University Lecturer at Iuav University of Venice
Recommendations by major regional stakeholders (all online)
- (pre-recorded) Carol Switzer, Senior Partner at PAERADIGMS, author of the new UfM study “Integrating Green Skills into Education and Research”
- Josep Vila Subirós, Director of Campus of Heritage at the University of Girona, Spain, and coordinator of the UNIMED Subnetwork on Climate and Environmental Change
- Camille de Garidel-Thoron, Director of Strategic Projects and Networks, Aix-Marseille University, President of the Consortium of Euro-Mediterranean Universities TETHYS
- Adil Salhi, Professor at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Morocco, coordinator of the UNIMED SubNetwork on Climate and Environmental Change
- Alasdair Skelton, Chairperson for the Climate, Environment and Energy Hub of the European Civic University Alliance CIVIS
Q&A and Interactive Discussion and Wrap up
