Every year, on the 24th of January, the world celebrates International Day of Education. This day is dedicated to highlighting the importance of education as an essential human right and the power it has to create a sustainable future. Galapagos Conservation uses this occasion to reaffirm its commitment to education, especially in protecting and conserving the unique Galapagos Archipelago ecosystems.
We are proud of all the progress that we have made as we enter our ninth year of the Education for Sustainability Program. This program was launched in 2016 with the collaboration of Ecuador’s Ministry of Education. We have been providing teachers with the resources and training they need over the years to integrate sustainability issues into the lessons of children and young adults. Our goal was to instill a sense of responsibility for the environment, which is essential to ensuring long-term preservation of this fragile natural environment.
The New Focus for 2024
The year 2024 will be remembered as a landmark for our educational initiatives. Our commitment to quality education was reaffirmed by integrating sustainability at the heart of our work. Thanks to the collaboration of local and national experts, teachers in Galapagos received innovative, modern teaching materials. These professionals worked closely together with educators from across the archipelago to facilitate workshops, offer guidance and promote project-based learning tailored to local contexts.
Jenny Macias is our educational advisor and she emphasizes the importance of adapting local realities. “Our goal to empower teachers in integrating sustainability into their curriculums and adopting active teaching methods to meet the unique local needs.”
We also want to encourage children and youth to play a more active role in the building of sustainable communities. We bring teachers, students and families together to tackle local challenges using sustainable, context-driven, solutions by fostering learning communities in schools.
Education as a catalyst for conservation
On International Day of Education we celebrate not only the right of education but also its transformative powers in advancing sustainability and conservation. Galapagos Conservancy understands that sustainability education is essential to preserve our unique ecosystems, and foster a harmonious relationship between the local communities and the natural environment.
Our educational programs aim to inspire and motivate a new generation to protect and conserve the natural heritage of Galapagos, with a vision to extend this legacy beyond the Galapagos Islands. Education can be a powerful tool to encourage positive change and the integration of sustainability in all aspects of our lives.
Galapagos Conservancy will continue to place education at the forefront of its mission to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all generations.
