10,000 Globeducate students unite for Eco-Week 2024

In a remarkable show of support of solidarity for global sustainability education, more than 10,000 students in Globeducate schools played an active role in Eco-Week in March 2024. 

This annual event first launched across Globeducate schools in 2020 and is a popular event for the students and teachers belonging to this leading K12 schools’ group, with 60+ premium bilingual and international schools in 12 countries.

This year, activities in pre-schools, primary schools and high schools across the group were led by more than 700 teachers and 37 student-led Eco-Councils. The impact on the wider school community reached more than 40,000 students alone. This achievement marks four years of working with official partner WWF-UK and with global sustainable education programme Eco-Schools. The progressive education group's mission is to prepare each student to become a global citizen who can shape the world and to support students in addressing the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). 

From Toronto and Europe in the West to India in the East, this important week in the group's calendar was marked by creative and exciting activities and projects, showcasing the commitment of Globeducate schools to protecting the planet and involving student agency beyond other steps such as installation of photovoltaic panels across schools in Cyprus, France, Portugal and Spain.

During the week, water emerged as a prevalent theme in several schools, coinciding with World Water Day, 22nd March. Some of the activities highlighted by the schools included:

• A silent march to raise awareness about water scarcity, raising funds in collaboration with UNICEF´s WASH campaign
• A new installation of a vertical garden and student-designed watering system
• Involvement in the Monaco Water Campaign, sparking discussions and awareness-raising among the student body regarding ocean conservation issues
• A whole-school vegetable harvest from the school garden
• Students making seed bombs for growing wild flowers for bees and other pollinators
• Students making pledges for water conservation and sharing these in assemblies

Reflecting on the success of Eco-Week, Education Director Monica Fontán, who works closely with EcoSchools coordinators across the group, expressed her pride in the dedication and enthusiasm of students and educators across the globe: "Eco-Week embodies our commitment to empowering students to become active agents of change in creating a more sustainable future. By fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and innovation, we are equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to address the pressing challenges facing our planet. One of the highlights was our annual participation in the WWF Wild Wisdom Quiz.”

Sophie Peckham, Student Fundraising Relationship Manager, WWF-UK, said: “Globeducate students and teachers are clearly very passionate agents of change when it comes to sustainability education and making an impact on the future. We are delighted that they participate in, and support, so many of our education initiatives as well as raise money for our projects in the UK and overseas, helping WWF to bring our world back to life.” 

As Eco-Week came to a close, the spirit of environmental consciousness continued to resonate within Globeducate schools, inspiring ongoing initiatives and projects aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. With their collective efforts and determination, Globeducate students are poised to make a meaningful impact on the world and create a brighter, greener future for generations to come.