Advancing Innovations in Climate Education

Join us in exploring innovative approaches to taking action on climate change!

As changemakers and emerging leaders, youth are increasingly seeking opportunities to learn and develop the skills needed to address the global climate crisis and confront related injustices. In anticipation of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), AKFC is convening a session on youth climate education. Our focus is to explore innovative approaches to climate education, both within Canada and on a global scale.

Join us on November 23 as we hear from youth leaders, educators, and specialists on critical skills and innovative approaches that are enabling youth to gain the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to help advance a sustainable, just, and climate-resilient future.

What to expect:

• Connect with youth, educators, and organizations dedicated to climate education and action.
• Learn from young climate advocates and educators who are driving change in their communities and on the global stage.
• Engage in interactive small group discussions with experienced changemakers on topics such as solutions-oriented approaches to climate education, advancing an intersectional approach to climate justice through education, and green skill building for climate resilient futures.

Key Information for Attendees

• When you register, please indicate your interest in attending in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat or attending online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option.
• In-person attendees are welcome to arrive before 10:30 a.m. EDT to network and enjoy light refreshments.

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Speakers

Andrew Cunningham

AKF Global Lead, Education

Dr. Andrew (Andy) Cunningham is the Global Lead for Education at the Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, based at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. AKF works to transform education systems by increasing levels of educational access, quality, and equity through innovation and catalytic partnerships for scale. Before joining AKF, Andy started an all-girls’ secondary boarding school in rural Kenya and worked for UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Education Above All Foundation, among others. He earned his Masters and Doctorate in Comparative International Education from Oxford University as a Truman and Marshall Scholar and is a proud alum of Duke University where he earned his Bachelors in Chinese and Comparative International Studies.

Bronwen Magrath

AKF Global Program Manager, Schools2030

Bronwen is a Global Programme Manager at Aga Khan Foundation, where she leads the Schools2030 initiative, a participatory learning improvement programme operating in government schools across ten countries. She previously worked as Director of Programmes at the International Education Funders Group and as a Research Fellow at University of Oxford and has consulted for a number of international organisations. She completed a PhD in Comparative and International Education at University of Toronto.

Esther Gacigi

Educator

Esther Gacigi is an educator with over two years experience working in underserved communities in Kenya to improve the quality of education. She currently works at Mukuru kwa Njenga as a climate educator working to build the agency of teachers, students, and the community to take climate action. She is also a co-founder of the Pan-African Climate Education (PACE) Network, a collaborative network that aims to connect educators in Africa and enhance their ability to engage learners in climate education. Esther believes that there is no quality education without climate education and thus works to ensure that children in Kenya have access to climate education.

Megan Quinn

Coordinator, Conservation Biology, Nature Conservancy of Canada

Growing up in the industrial landscape of Northern England, Megan Quinn didn’t fully realize her passion for nature until she moved to Canada in 2004. Since 2018, she has worked as the Coordinator of Conservation Biology for Eastern Ontario, with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. From growing up on a street with one tree, to now working to protect the last intact forest corridor in eastern North America, Megan advocates for authentic youth involvement in the field of conservation. She is the acting Chair of the Young Professionals Committee of the Canadian Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (CCIUCN), and has spoken to youth and allies at events across North America, promoting community action and sharing her story. In her spare time, Megan is a competitive horse rider, and enjoys creative expression through novel writing, and knitting.

Sophie Weenik

Pearson College Climate Action Leadership Diploma (CALD) Student

Sophie Weenink is an environmental and social justice activist from Aotearoa New Zealand. She now resides at Pearson College UWC and is studying the Climate Action Leadership Diploma (CALD). In this program focused on climate-based solutions and leadership, Sophie is developing skills to go into the field of environmental law, where she hopes to continue her passion for environmental action. Sophie rose to prominence at a young age through taking action to make positive change and inspiring others to care for our planet and people. Her motto is ‘If not me, then who?’ as she believes it is up to all of us to make change, regardless of our age or our circumstances.

In addition to our speakers, we will be having the following breakout group facilitators:

• Luke Ehler and Shannon Anderson-Kamdar from Canadian Wildlife Federation
• Maddy Mead, Alicia Yang, Finnlay Rutherford-Simon and Syarif Syafi’i from Pearson College’s Climate Action Leadership Diploma

 

Register Today!

 

AKFC’s Speaker Series on Climate Resilience and Adaptation

The series aims to bring together practitioners, advocates, and others who share an interest in exploring and discussing how we may use the climate crisis as a catalyst for great leaps in addressing the complex challenges involved in confronting climate change in a manner that advances sustainable development, well-being, and resilient livelihoods for all. See all events in this series.