Development of Educational Action Network (DEAN Initiative) is proud to announce its selection as one of the 4 recipients of the Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF) 2024 Global Open Call grant. DEAN Initiative joins a group of 4 prestigious organisations worldwide as the only Nigerian Organization and West African Entity to be shortlisted as a winner. The three other organisations are from Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Kenya. The Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF) received 513 expressions of interest, which led to 274 groups submitting applications. It is more exciting to announce that DEAN Initiative received the highest number of votes, emerging as one of the 4 winners.
The CJRF grant aligns with DEAN Initiative’s mission to promote climate justice and resilience reforms through capacity building and youth leadership. The funded project: The Lake Chad Climate Justice Fellowship will empower 20 young climate activists from the Lake Chad region with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities required to advocate for climate justice, address gender-based violence, and mitigate the insecurity caused by climate change in their communities. Participants will gain the skills and knowledge to advocate for climate justice through advocacy, capacity building, and network development. DEAN Initiative will work closely with local, regional and global partners to implement the project, leveraging the expertise of climate experts and governance specialists.
“We are thrilled to be selected for this grant and excited about the possibilities it brings for young people in the Lake Chad region,” said Doreen Oho, Technical Programs Lead at DEAN Initiative. “Recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on the region, the fellowship addresses critical challenges such as gender-based violence (GBV), regional insecurity, and shrinking livelihoods caused by the impacts of climate change. Hence, this funding will allow us to provide marginalised youth in the Lake Chad Region with the knowledge and skills they need to become agents of change in their communities, ensuring that they play a central role in the region’s sustainable development and climate resilience efforts,” she said.
Ngozi Edum, DEAN’s Partnership and Innovation Manager, mentioned that the fellowship will challenge colonial narratives and promote social justice by centring on indigenous knowledge systems and prioritising locally led solutions. “This initiative recognises that true climate justice cannot be achieved without addressing the structural inequities that have historically excluded marginalised communities. By amplifying the voices of young leaders in the Lake Chad region, our goal is to develop context-specific responses to climate resilience and governance challenges,” she said.
DEAN Initiative is committed to supporting youth empowerment and advancing the rights of marginalised communities through sustainable development and climate action. This grant is a significant step towards realising those goals and further reinforces DEAN Initiative’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of vulnerable populations across the region.
https://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/8a590869-657f-4493-8d7c-eeb23433bf82-300x289.png00Dorcas Mokikanhttps://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/8a590869-657f-4493-8d7c-eeb23433bf82-300x289.pngDorcas Mokikan2025-03-26 12:36:482025-03-26 12:36:55DEAN Initiative Selected as One of Four Global Recipients of the Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF) 2024 Grant
Africa is a vast and multi-diverse continent with a rich agricultural heritage and enormous potential for growth and development. However, up until now, this potential has not been fully realized due to a variety of factors, including lack of infrastructure, low levels of technological development, and limited access to markets which limits intra-trade.
Intra-trade, which is the exchange of goods and services within a particular region or country, is an essential component of economic growth and development which will enable the development of Africa’s agricultural economic sector through key factors like access to markets for farmers, encouraging investment in agriculture, and fostering economic growth and development.
To promote African intra-trade, let’s look at these key factors.
Regional Trade Agreements
One of the topmost priorities would be regional trade agreements, allowing easy trading amongst countries within a region by reducing tariffs and trade barriers. The East African Community (EAC) for example, has helped to increase intra-regional trade within East Africa by reducing tariffs on a range of agricultural goods and services. Other regional trade agreements in Africa include the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). There are also a number of initiatives aimed at promoting intra-trade within Africa. For example, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) launched in 2021, has already made significant progress in reducing tariffs and other trade barriers, making it easier for countries in Africa to trade with each other.
Infrastructure Development
Looking at infrastructural development, particularly in rural areas where many smallholder farmers are located, which includes the construction of roads, bridges, and other transportation facilities to connect rural communities to urban markets, as well as investing in irrigation systems, climate-enabled storage facilities, and processing plants will help farmers maximize the value of their crops and also prevent post-harvest losses.
Access To Markets And Loans
Improving access to credit and financing for smallholder farmers and other agricultural cooperatives is also be a key strategy. Many smallholder farmers in Africa face significant barriers to accessing credit, which limits their ability to invest in new technologies, expand their operations, and improve their productivity. By providing access to credit and other financial resources, these farmers would be helped to grow their businesses and increase sustainable income.
Agro-Tech
Increasing the use of technology in agriculture by promoting the adoption of precision agriculture techniques, such as GPS-guided planting and fertilization, as well as investing in research and development to develop new technologies would help farmers increase their yields and reduce their costs.
Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships with The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) would improve market access for African farmers and agricultural businesses. This includes negotiating trade agreements with other regions to open up new markets for African products, as well as working to remove barriers to trade within Africa itself. Increasing market access, farmers and businesses would be able to sell their products at higher prices, which would in turn encourage more people to venture into the agricultural sector and help to drive economic growth.
Collaborating with Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA) would improve the overall business environment in Africa by reducing corruption, streamlining regulations, and improving policies around the agricultural sector, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to operate and grow, which would in turn create more opportunities for smallholder farmers and other agricultural businesses.
In essence…
Using these key factors will create an opportunity for economic development Africa for both intra-trade and agriculture.
It is important for governments to create enabling environments for the agricultural sector, which influences other sectors of economic development within a country.
https://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhatsApp-Image-2024-10-25-at-10.25.35-AM.jpeg7191080Dorcas Mokikanhttps://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/8a590869-657f-4493-8d7c-eeb23433bf82-300x289.pngDorcas Mokikan2024-10-25 09:26:492024-10-25 09:26:51Unlocking Agricultural Economic Development in Africa Through Intra-trade
On the 11th of October every year, the International Day of the Girl is celebrated around the world to honour the incredible potential of girls, to support their rights, and to break down the walls that impede their progress. This global day for girls highlights the importance of ensuring that girls are empowered to participate fully in social, economic, and political spheres of life. By investing in girls, we are investing in the future! Have you ever heard the saying “Educate a girl, educate a nation”? Yes! With the right tools and opportunities Girls can become global entrepreneurs, leaders of multinational companies, political leaders, environmental advocates, and agents of change in their communities.
In commemoration of the day, the Development of Educational Action Network (DEAN Initiative) celebrated with the girls of Holy Rosary College, in Dupka community Gwagwalada Area Council Abuja. The event held on the 11th of October, 2024 focused on the year’s theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future”. We held a 2-hour activity, observing the day with the girls by enlightening them on girl’s actions for a sustainable planet. The girls participated in group discussions, video presentations, recycling activities, and environmental stewardship sensitization as part of the lined-up activities for the day. These activities encouraged them to take up an active role in building a sustainable planet while addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
Empowering Girls in the Face of Climate Change
One of the most critical issues facing girls today, especially those in vulnerable communities like northern Nigeria is the impact of climate change. One could ask how is climate change related to girls. Certainly, climate change impacts are not merely limited to the ecological consequences of the environment but also they are woven into societal issues such as education, gender inequality, and economic opportunities. The Lake Chad region stands out as the most affected place; data from the World Bank shows that the region has experienced a dramatic 90% reduction in its size since the 1960s due to the impacts of climate change, including unsustainable water use, and environmental degradation. This crisis has devastated livelihoods, worsened food insecurity, and displaced millions of people across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
For young girls inhabiting this area, the consequences of climate change are very serious. Normally, as droughts, desertification, floods, and unpredictable rainfall patterns become more common, girls are mostly ousted from schools to assist their families in coping with the crisis. In the northern part of Nigeria, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin, climate change has worsened poverty and social challenges, making girls more vulnerable to early marriage, exploitation, and displacement. According to UNICEF, 44% of girls in northern Nigeria get married before the age of 18, and this figure rises even higher during periods of environmental stress such as flood, when economic survival takes precedence over education.
DEAN Initiative’s Action for a Sustainable Future
In response to these challenges, DEAN Initiative’s International Day of the Girl Child event aimed to empower girls with the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders in the fight against climate change. The event opened with Mr. TaiyeOjo, the programs officer who introduced the students to DEAN’s mission, interventions, and the significance of the International Day of the Girl Child. He spoke on how the theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” ties into the global movement for girl empowerment.
Following this, our Communications Officer DorcasMokikan led an engaging session titled “Exploring and Breaking the Limitations of Girls to Maximize Their Potential.” Through group discussions incorporating system thinking and design thinking, the girls explored ways to overcome societal limitations and embrace their roles as future leaders. A fun music video, “Shooting Star” by Maryam Ahmed, added an inspiring and joyful energy to the event.
A critical segment of the program was led by DoreenMennomOho the TechnicalProgramsLead, who focused on “Girls’ Action for a Sustainable Planet.”This session empowered the girls to understand how they can become environmental stewards and protect their future from the devastating impacts of climate change. The girls brainstormed challenges they face in their communities and envisioned ways to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Our Administrative officer FaithEjemenOamen took the girls on a hands-on recycling activity session. She taught the girls how to repurpose plastic waste into useful items like wallets, tables, and ornamental decorations, demonstrating the practical steps they can take to combat environmental degradation.
The Importance of Immediate Action
The need to address climate change and its impact on girls cannot be overstated. If we fail to act now, the long-term consequences will be devastating, not only for the girls affected but for the entire region. Empowering girls to become leaders in climate action is essential to building resilient communities capable of adapting to environmental challenges.
By empowering girls, investing in their education, and creating opportunities for them to engage in sustainable practices, we can help them break cycles of vulnerability, allowing them to fulfil their full potential as change makers. As the future leaders of our society, they also hold the key to creating lasting solutions for climate adaptation and resilience.
Recommendations and Call to Action
To address the challenges facing girls in Nigeria, especially in the context of climate change, we recommend the following:
Invest in Climate-Resilient Education: Address Climate Imperatives through education, and integrate climate change education and sustainability practices in the curriculum. Let young people lead environmental action in their communities, and meticulously implement systems in place to equip them with the skills needed to do so.
Enforce Legal Protections Against Child Marriage: Strengthening and enforcing laws against child marriage, especially in climate-affected regions, is crucial. Providing economic and educational support to families can go a long way in preventing the exploitation of young girls during times of crisis.
Increase Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: The scarcity of water is a major driver of school dropout rates for girls. Investing in clean water infrastructure will reduce this burden and keep girls in school, where they belong.
Support Climate-Resilient Livelihoods: Investing in alternative livelihoods, such as climate-smart agriculture and green energy, will reduce the pressure on families to resort to harmful practices like child marriage.
Strengthen Support for Displaced Girls: Internally displaced girls need special protections and resources. Creating safe spaces and providing educational support in IDP camps will help mitigate the risks of exploitation and ensure that girls can continue their education.
Conclusion: Girls as Climate Leaders
On this International Day of the Girl Child, we must recognize that the fight for gender justice and the fight against climate change are deeply intertwined. Empowering girls is not only essential for gender justice it is key to building a more sustainable, resilient future for everyone.
Let’s continue to support and uplift our girls because when girls rise, we all rise. By taking urgent action to address the challenges posed by climate change, we can ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive, lead, and create a better world for generations to come.
Call to Action: Join the move to empower girls by promoting climate action programs in your communities. Stand for policies that protect young girls, fund their education, and create sustainable opportunities that build resilience in the face of climate change. Together, we can build a future where every girl has the chance to thrive.
https://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_2508-scaled.jpeg19202560Dorcas Mokikanhttps://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/8a590869-657f-4493-8d7c-eeb23433bf82-300x289.pngDorcas Mokikan2024-10-17 10:58:092024-10-17 10:58:18International Day of the Girl Child – Empowering Girls for a Sustainable Future Amid Climate Change Challenges
Nigeria is currently not listed among the countries that have shown or announced it commitment to climate education, either by law or by curriculum standards. While several efforts are ongoing including a clear ambition contained in the NDC, the Nigerian government is yet to see the stake in leading climate change crisis through education.
While the Ministry of Education through it agency; NERDC continues to struggle with the need to review the school curriculum to accommodate global and local challenges imposed by climate change, because they think environmental education and elementary climate assessment already exist in identified subjects, concern organizations have continued to advocate and provide technical support to the ministry and its agencies to change this trajectory.
Ahead of COP28, our organization again commenced several negotiations and data gathering to establish beyond doubt, the need to market Nigeria’s Climate Education agenda at COP28.
As a member of a Climate Education Technical Working Group co-chaired by both UNICEF and Federal Ministry of Education, our organization has hosted regional level Climate Education Conversations to mine expert’s views and allow stakeholders provide evidence based researches to support the Climate Education advocacy and ambition. We have had dialogue sessions with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment and Teachers to determine whether climate topics should be embedded into existing subjects or stands alone as a separate subject. Research has proven that climate education can fast-track the global action on climate change.
As an organization, one key element of our climate education advocacy is action accountability. If Nigeria has not committed itself to climate education through government policies or funding, we will be unable to hold government accountable on climate education. Top on our Asks is to see the government of Nigeria either at home or through its global treaties make a commitment to climate education. This is why the visit to the National Council on Climate Change again reinforces our resolve to work with all government institutions such that may have the responsibility to lead actions towards this important and bold commitment especially in this year’s COP.
At this bilateral meeting, NCCC reiterated its position as official government Focalpoint for national climate action and pledges to work with our strategic counsels in advancing the advocacy for climate education in Nigeria.
The two organizations agreed to advance a robust work relationship to achieve this ambition.
https://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NCCC-visit-2.jpeg7681024Dorcas Mokikanhttps://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/8a590869-657f-4493-8d7c-eeb23433bf82-300x289.pngDorcas Mokikan2023-10-07 09:24:152023-10-07 09:32:27Enlisting Climate Education as Nigeria’s top Commitment at COP28: DEAN visits NCCC.
In a world grappling with the ever-pressing challenges of climate change, education emerges as a beacon of hope, illuminating the pathtoward a sustainable future. Imagine a captivating gathering of visionaries, climate experts, and passionate organizations, all converging under one roof for an extraordinary conversation event on climate education. DEAN Initiative proudly hosted this remarkable occasion, uniting hearts and minds with a shared mission – to integrate climate consciousness into school curricula and shape a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
As the event unfolded, the room buzzed with electrifying energy, as if the collective dedication to climate education had sparked a wildfire of inspiration. Together, these change-makers explored innovative ways to infuse climate-related topics into educational systems, fostering a generation of environmentally conscious global citizens.
Beyond its significance, the event shone a spotlight on existing initiatives already paving the way for transformative change.From awe-inspiring projects that nurture environmental stewardship to immersive learning experiences that forge a deep understanding of climate challenges, these initiatives painted a vivid picture of what’s possible when passion meets purpose.But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this event was the collaborative spirit that permeated every discussion.It was a magical blend of ideas, perspectives, and expertise, all coming together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, forming a clearer picture of our collective potential for change.
Join us on this exhilarating journey, as we delve into the profound impact of climate education. Discover how it empowers the next generation of trailblazers to become informed, engaged, and unwavering champions of sustainability. Together, we will unlock the secrets of climate education, unleashing a green revolution that will shape a world where every young mind becomes a torchbearer of positive change.
Setting the Stage: The Importance of Climate Change Education
The stage was set, and the energy in the room was palpable as the event started with an inspiring introduction by none other than the visionary Executive Director of DEAN Initiative Mr Semiye Micheal. With unwavering passion, he made a compelling case for why climate change education must take centre stage in school curriculum. The crowd was captivated, their minds alight with the possibilities of what this transformative journey could achieve. It became clear that it is paramount to empower students with knowledge, awareness, and critical thinking on climate change. Climate education is not just a subject; it is a transformative force, nurturing a sense of responsibility and equipping the next generation with the tools to drive positive change.
Sharing Success: DEAN Initiative’s Impact
Amidst the captivating conversation, the spotlight shifted to none other than Mr. Taiye Ojo, the vibrant representative of DEAN Initiative.With infectious enthusiasm, he took the stage, unleashing a torrent of inspiration that left the audience spellbound.His words carried the weight of unwavering dedication and a burning passion for spreading climate education knowledge among students. DEAN Initiative’s impact was undeniable, as they bridged the gap between theory and action with remarkable finesse.Through their ingenious programs and initiatives, some of which are CLIMATE CHANGEMAKERS WORKSHOP, ABUJA COP 27 CLIMATE EDUCATION ACTIVATION, Global Children’s Designathon, to mention but a few . they breathed life into climate education, transforming it into an interactive and meaningful journey for young minds.The result?A generation empowered with a profound understanding of climate change and its profound impact on our beloved planet.
Navigating Challenges: Insights from Mr. Ayodeji
As the conversation danced with fervour, Mr. Ayodeji, a passionate member of the team, emerged as a beacon of insight.With wisdom in his words, he illuminated the path through the labyrinth of challenges and solutions in integrating climate change education into the curriculum.From the shadows of potential resistance to the constraints that loomed large, his valuable guidance became a guiding star for navigating this transformative journey.Among the obstacles, clear – proactive planning, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and a dash of creativity held the key to unlocking the door to effective solutions.In this spirited exchange of ideas, the recipe for success revealed itself, and the pursuit of a greener, more informed generation found its compass.
Empowering Collaboration: Interactive Group Work
The event flowed into a vibrant hive of interaction, as participants were playfully divided into five groups, each entrusted with unraveling specific questions and conjuring collaborative solutions.The room pulsated with infectious enthusiasm, a Symphony of ideas and perspectives harmonizing in the air.It was a breathtaking spectacle, a fusion of minds that showcased the shear potency of collective intelligence.This enthralling group work session was more than just a learning experience; it was a celebration of teamwork, where every individual danced with their own unique insights, adding their colorful strokes to the grand masterpiece that was awaited in the final presentation.The conversation questions are highlighted below:
Conversation Themes
Enlisting climate education into Nigeria’s global commitment at the COP 28: Procedure, benefits, and possible challenges
2. Stakeholders, Engagement Process and Possible Outcomes
Government institutions that should be leading these ambitons and the strategies they should apply to achieve climate education mainstreaming into school curriculum.
The role of teachers, their existing challenges, and possible ways of resolving these challenges to achieve climate education delivery in schools.
Exploring the role of legislation in establishing sustainable climate education laws and policies.
Conclusion: A Stepping Stone to a Sustainable Future
The eventclosure marked the beginning of an impactful journey toward a sustainable future through climate education.The insightful conversations, collaborative group work, and shared commitment left a profound impression on everyone present, fueling a renewed sense of purpose to drive positive change in our spheres of influence.
It was a powerful reminder that climate education is not just an abstract idea but an actionable path toward a greener, healthier planet.Equipping young minds, fostering collaboration, and addressing challenges head – on lay a strong foundation for a more informed and sustainable future.With newfound knowledge and a shared vision, we are better equipped to shape a world where climate education is integrated into our educational systems.
Together, we will inspire action and nurture environmentally conscious leaders, creating a brighter future where knowledge and action converge to address pressing global challenges.This transformative event sparked our collective passion for climate education, and we are grateful to share this journey with you all.
A video story as reported by NAN (News Agency of Nigeria)
Are you ready to be a part of the solution? Let us embark on this adventure hand in hand, illuminating the future with the boundless power of climate education.
Below are the Names of Organizations represented at the conversation
DEAN Initiative (Host Organization)
Federal Ministry of Education (Dpt.Of Education Support Serveries)
Federal Ministry of Education (Dpt.Of Education Support Serveries
FCT-UBEB
Susty Vibes
EVA – Education as Vaccine
Education Research Council
CleanTechHub
Project Karanta
NAN – News Agency of Nigeria
Sydani
National Council on Climate Change
Department of Climate Change
YASIF
EcoBarter
NICO – National Institute for Cultural Orientation
The Global Children Designathon (GCD) Project was held on Saturday 15th April 2023 at the Global Goals Community Centre by DEAN Initiative. The Global Children’s Designathon is a yearly event that uses design and problem-based learning to encourage children to think creatively about sustainability issues. Each year, children from around the world come together to devise solutions for global environmental problems, focusing on specific themes. The theme for Global Children’s Designathon 2023 is “Our World: Restoring Biodiversity Big and Small“. The objective of the project is centered to inspire and provide a platform for students to engage and know, what biodiversity is, what the main causes of the loss in biodiversity are, and how it affects the planet and the future of all living things. To offer students a chance to participate in a well-structured design thinking workshop, to introduce students to various ideas and brainstorming techniques, and to enable students to prototype their own solutions to tackle biodiversity loss and promote co-existence. 14 students made it to the finals of this year’s cohort and were supported by 8 facilitators. There was a gender balance agenda that ensured participants to be 7 boys and 7 girls. The Global Children’s Designathon is an initiative of Designathon Works, Netherland.
The Initiative is centered on raising early-stage pupils through education to be able to understand their environment and basically understand climate change from the early stage. The children had generated a wide range of ideas, they were happy to create prototype sketches as instructed. This process allowed the children to refine their ideas and communicate them more effectively. By the end of this segment, children had generated a variety of solutions to the problem at hand and had visually represented these ideas through their prototype sketches. The children were also asked to design a prototype of their ideas. The prototyping section was a critical step as it enabled the children to turn their ideas into actionable solutions to tackle biodiversity loss. They made use of eco-friendly materials such as paper, straws, pencils, food sticks, cardboard, and so on, to create their solution prototype. The teams made different prototypes as stated below:
TEAM INVENT: Created an idea around houses in the cities and rural areas. These ideas encourage house owners in the cities and rural areas to cultivate vegetations around their houses by planting local trees and flowers especially creepy plants to grow over the roofs of these houses; making artificial ponds to grow species of fishes enabling interactions in our ecosystem. These innovations will bring a habitable environment for animals, insects, and man to boost living coexistence between man and animals in the ecosystem, create cool and conducive habitat, thereby increasing biodiversity.
TEAM CHANGE: focused on modern houses, they want to help flying insects like butterflies, birds, and bees to increase pollination. The ideas are described “we want to engage in the cultivation of flowers in our Gardens, this will attract butterflies and bees, increase their population, thereby increasing Biodiversity” and the ways in which they think they can promote their ideas is to inform their parents to purchase flower seeds and demarcate an area for the seeds to be planted around their houses.
TEAM DESIGN: focused on forest, they are particular about helping wild animals and the way in which they want to help these wild animals is by making spaces and food for life, and to teach people about Biodiversity. Their ideas were to introduce forest rangers to ward off poachers who indiscriminately kill wild animals for their parts thereby drastically reducing the population of animals in the forest. They also thought that another way to promote their ideas is by soliciting help from the government and asking private organizations to help implement these ideas.
At DEAN Initiative, we provide innovative, educational learning programs, in an extra-curricular format. The students in our participating schools’ constituents are opened up to sustainable skill-based educational resources and learning experiences that turn them from mere academic students into educational solution-based resource students. Our education interventions secure an unwavering partnership with the government that ensures smooth delivery in all participating schools without any form of technical issues. Models are co-delivered by volunteer educators, which makes delivery less expensive. Real-time teachers in participating schools also participate in delivering models as part of their partnership contribution to delivering our innovative solutions. Students are allowed to create their ideas and innovations, rather than listening to lessons only, they are now able to co-create their learning resources and as well enjoy the freedom of creating solutions to basic community challenges raised as problems in their classes.
https://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-19-at-4.55.12-PM.jpeg7201080Dorcas Mokikanhttps://dean.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/8a590869-657f-4493-8d7c-eeb23433bf82-300x289.pngDorcas Mokikan2023-04-15 16:15:572023-05-19 16:28:07The Global Children Designathon (GCD) 2023 Project.
DEAN INITIATIVE held a press conference to reemphasise our call on the Government to include Climate Education in the learning curriculum for students, holding onto COP 27 commitment which had education as its frontline action, we called on the ministries of Education and Environment to forge beneficial collaboration by adding climate education into an existing subject or introducing a new one.
We presented our climate education curriculum, a contextualised climate learning curriculum for climate educators that detailed the issues and possible solutions to climate change so that when integrated into the learning curriculum, future generations in NIGERIA can be called CLIMATE Champions
Passionate educators from our just concluded 10-day Abuja Climate Education Survey who used the transforming education survey to collect Nigerian children’s voices in shaping the future globally were there, they shared their experiences and expressed the excitement of the educators and the eagerness of pupils to put into practice all they had learnt.
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Below is our official PRESS STATEMENT which was given to the gentlemen of the press and all present for the press conference;
PRESENTATION OF CLIMATE EDUCATION LEARNING CURRICULUM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATORS
COP 27 has come and gone, with inspiring promises and a list of commitments, including making climate education a frontline action in addressing climate change’s devastating trajectory. We are to remind the government to keep its promises and be bold in leading actions through innovative climate education designs because, in today’s world, Climate Education has become a right for children not to be denied.
As part of our efforts as experts and critical stakeholders in the business of development design through innovative educational programming, our organisation, Development Of Educational Action Network (DEAN), formerly known as DEAN More Initiative for African Development and the World’s Largest Lesson (UK) in 2020 started working to create adaptable climate education learning materials that anyone basic teaching skills can use to dispense quality climate education teaching to students around the world. The effort has been very successful.
Nigeria is one of the selected countries we have put the use of the developed Climate Education Pack to the test for two years of school-based learning. In 2021, we rolled out the exercise in six Nigerian states; Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Niger, Kwara and Abuja FCT. We worked with 32 trained climate change educators to cover 32 schools across the selected six states for a six-month pilot teaching exercise to deliver contextualised Climate change- makers classes as an extracurricular exercise. 127 classes were held with over 1000 pupils who participated. We scaled to 10 schools this year(2022) and worked with 50 Educators to reach 1500 students. The results have shown explicit empirical confirmation of various scientific research that has prescribed climate education as the best short and long-term measure to fight climate change.
As an organisation, we want to emphasise that there is no more excellent tool to change the world than EDUCATION. Students must understand that climate change is not just a threat. It is a reality resulting in social, economic, and environmental instability in a country that is already vulnerable. Our contextualised resources for the classroom include all these issues and possible solutions so that future generations in Nigeria can be climate champions.
We are also calling on the ministries of Education and Environment to forge beneficial collaboration on this subject. The world is making gradual progress in climate education
The mandate of Article 6 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Paris Agreement), to which Nigeria is a signatory to, listed six areas that should be utilised to engage the public in climate change solutions; Education is the first mechanism mentioned in Article 6. The IPCC reports have also supported climate education as a climate
response to strengthen societal responses to climate change.
already. Countries are now making climate education laws. We are passionate about this because we believe climate literacy can give people the tools to engage meaningfully with governments and corporations to help solve climate change. Argentina has drafted a law on environmental education that will make climate education compulsory in all schools. They said implementing environmental education will teach the next generation of leaders to love, protect and respect the Earth. In 2019, Italy announced a requirement for climate change studies in all Italian schools. Also, New Jersey has adopted Climate Change As Part Of The Core Curriculum In All Public Schools in the USA. And New Zealand schools also now teach students about the climate crisis, activism, and eco-anxiety.
Over the years, DEAN has championed social issues affecting young people, children, and other vulnerable groups. We celebrate the passion of our Educators across the country, especially those participating in the ongoing special Climate Education Activation in Abuja, using the Transforming Education survey to collect Nigerian children’s voices in shaping the future of education globally. We also applaud the federal government through the Ministry of Environment for implementing various initiatives in tackling the climate change crisis, as demonstrated in their ambitious plan in the NDC. As we share this Climate Education Learning Curriculum For Climate Change Educators for their use, we ask that more urgent and sustainable actions be implemented to solidify ongoing climate interventions by the government and other relevant stakeholders. Building on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, we, as a result of this, submit these THREE(3) ASKS:
Through the Ministries of Education and Environment, the Federal Government will draft a review process that will include climate education in relevant subjects across primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Environmental/Green clubs can function across schools, which will be duly regularised.
Students can participate in extracurricular activities that equip them with knowledge of nature, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental stewardship, including environment/climate literature as part of approved reading literature for pupils/students across schools in Nigeria.
