Creating the future we want depends on collective action across all sectors of our society and economy. We need to build up a new cohort of professionals who can find new solutions and synergies for effective ecosystem management. The number of students around the globe enrolled in higher education is forecast to more than double to 262 million by 2025. Ensuring the health and productivity of ecosystems will not only fall to our natural scientists but to these students and future economists, engineers, doctors, lawyers, teachers and corporate leaders. Education is fundamental to achieving the SDGs, and universities have a critical role to play in preparing future generations to participate responsibly in building a sustainable and inclusive green economy, with healthy and productive ecosystems.
How does UN Environment Programme (UNEP) do this?
- By developing and sharing expertise on updating education frameworks (curricula and education policies).
- By fostering partnerships and information exchanges among universities e.g. through UNEP’s Youth and Education Alliance which is made up of higher education and youth sustainability networks from across the globe.
- By sponsoring or organizing adult education courses and massive open online courses.
