UNESCO helps small islands educate for climate change

©UNESCO/GMR Akash

Climate change
 represents a real threat to Small Island Developing States. A UNESCO expert meeting (21-23 September
, Nassau, The Bahamas) will address the
 vital role of education in helping populations from the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans adapt to this challenge.

Adaptation to climate change requires that individuals understand why
 and how the climate is changing, and the implications of these changes 
for their lives. This three-day meeting will focus on the essential role of education in increasing the 
adaptation capacity of communities and nations in regard to climate
 change by enabling individuals to make informed decisions.





Some 100 participants primarily 
from Small Island Developing States are expected at the meeting, 
representing a multi-disciplinary and diverse group of stakeholders like curriculum
 developers, representatives of national school and education networks, multilateral agencies and civil society. These will join scientists and climate change experts to develop a roadmap to
 guide and promote education as an important means of enhancing 
adaptation to climate change in the context of sustainable development.





The roadmap and its recommendations will serve as a contribution to the
 upcoming 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change in December 2011 and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 Conference) in
 June 2012.

These events will set the stage for the remainder of the UN Decade of 
Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2012) which is led globally by UNESCO. 

www.unesco.org