AMI's COP28 UAE Experience

AMI's Partnership Manager and Affiliated Societies from Kenya and Norway recently attended the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, where they had the privilege of participating and presenting at the Greening Education Pavilion. The following highlights and outcomes of their engagement at this pivotal event are shared.

Greening Education Partnerships

AMI's affiliation with the UNESCO initiative, the Greening Education Partnerships (GEP), enabled participation in COP28. This global initiative, known as the GEP, adopts a comprehensive approach to addressing the climate crisis by emphasizing the pivotal role of education. 

Serving as a collaborative platform for governments, inter-governmental organisations, civil society, youth, academia, and the private sector, the Greening Education Partnership strives to implement coordinated actions that prepare learners to confront climate change and promote sustainable development.

The initiative focuses on four key pillars: greening capacities, greening curricula, greening communities, and greening schools.

Montessori Education for Climate Action: Perspectives from Kenya and Norway

AMI's presentation, selected under the pillar of greening curriculum, took place on World Climate Action Summit Day, 2 December 2023, at the Greening Education Pavilion. This marked a historic occasion as COP28 dedicated space to education for the first time.

In collaboration with Montessori Norway and Montessori for Kenya, the presentation delved into how "greening the curriculum" is integrated in Montessori education. 

The presentation outlined holistic, evidence-based, green, and sustainable aspects of the Montessori approach for children aged 3-18 and for schools. Evidence was given to support its universal applicability, replicability, and scalability of the Montessori approach across diverse cultures and geographical domains. 

Good practices were spotlighted to illustrate that by fostering a positive understanding of the interconnectedness and balance of nature, and the role that humans can play, this approach instils children with the confidence to become agents of social and environmental change. 

And lastly, the team explained that collaboration is key to the success of these initiatives and sustainable long-term programmes. In particular, collaboration with governments and indigenous communities which can result in implementing high-quality government-recognised Montessori curricula (e.g., Kenya ages 3-6; Norway for ages 6-15), equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to address climate change and sustainable development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the presence at COP28 was not only an opportunity to showcase AMI's commitment to greening education but also to foster meaningful collaborations with key stakeholders. Anticipation is high for furthering the impact on global education and sustainable development through continued partnerships and initiatives, and we will share more on these developments in the new year!

Acknowledgments

Special thanks go to Victoria Barres, Evelyn Greenberg, Sharon Lickerman, and the newest member, Marilyne Maugin, without whom participation at COP28 would not have been possible.

And of course our upmost thanks to the COP28 Team: Francescah Kipsoi, Programmes Director at the Montessori for Kenya, Nina Johansen, Executive Director at Montessori Norway, and Ingrid Stange, President at Montessori Norway.

Candice von der Wehl
Partnerships Manager, AMI