Promoting Responsible Consumption and Production: UN 2030 Agenda in Environmental Education


07/13/2023


The 2022/2023 edition of the environmental education program called "Mi Curo di Te" (I'll Take Care of You), promoted by WWF Italy and Regina (Sofidel Group), brought together over 5,300 classes and 117,500 students. This initiative received support from 7,800 parents, friends, and relatives, in addition to teachers and instructors. The program aligns with RiGenerazione Scuola, the national plan of Italy's Ministry of Education and Merit, which aims to foster the ecological and cultural transition of Italian schools.
 
In its ninth edition, the project focused on water scarcity and pollution, encouraging children and young people to explore and understand the impact of these issues on the health of oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes. Teachers accessed a teaching kit containing interactive games, teaching sheets, and digital quizzes from the program's dedicated website. These materials facilitated classroom discussions, workshops, and hands-on activities.
 
At the end of the program, students expressed their creativity by creating a class product that reflected their reflections on the topic. Elementary schools designed posters showcasing details, curiosities, and emotions related to the course, while middle schools developed class slogans aimed at raising awareness about responsible water resource usage and daily actions to minimize water waste.
 
Out of the 1,130 participating elementary and middle schools in Italy, 20 schools received awards. The top-ranked schools were "S. D. Savio - T. Fiore" Elementary School in Gravina in Puglia (Bari) and "A. Balzico" Middle School in Cava de' Tirreni (Salerno). They were rewarded with 1,000 Euro worth of vouchers for teaching materials. The second-ranked schools were "G. Modugno" Elementary School in Barletta (Barletta-Andria-Trani) and "Angri Galvani-Opromolla" Middle School in Angri (Salerno), receiving 600 Euro worth of vouchers. The third-ranked schools were "L. Settembrini" Elementary School in Maddaloni (Caserta) and "Piana - Capo d'Orlando" Middle School (Messina), earning 400 Euro worth of vouchers.
 
Additionally, all schools ranked up to 6th place, as well as four randomly selected elementary and four middle schools that didn't receive awards, were provided with Regina products. Furthermore, the teachers from these schools gained access to WWF Italy's platform called OnePlanetSchool.
 
“Each edition of ‘Mi Curo di Te’, for nine years, has shown us that children and young people are very attentive to issues related to sustainability and environmental protection. The large participation in the project also confirms the awareness that the new generations have of the urgency of having to do something useful, starting with everyday gestures, and their ability to raise awareness and involve adults in virtuous practices,” said Elena Faccio, Sofidel Group’s Creative & Communication Director.
 
“The educational project ‘Mi Curo di Te’ allows classes to get to know and deepen the topics of the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, learning how to take care of our planet starting from daily actions. Through courses like these, which involve the younger generations, teachers and families, we can encourage changes in behavior and lifestyle choices capable of creating a better, healthy, and equitable future for all. Education is the first tool to produce the cultural change necessary for a sustainable future, so that tomorrow’s citizens become real agents of change, equipping themselves with knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that enable them to make informed decisions and act responsibly,” said Martina Alemanno, WWF Italy’s Education Office Manager.
 
As the new school year, 2023/2024, approaches, the project is prepared to commence once again. The upcoming edition will revolve around the 12th Sustainable Development Goal of the UN 2030 Agenda, which focuses on "Responsible consumption and production" (SDG 12).
 
To know more click here.