At a time when society is wondering whether it is the responsibility of students and young people in general to shoulder the burdens of climate change, the destruction of the planet and the need for sustainable development in general, the actions of some Cypriot students and their teachers in under a (European) program, "Walk the Global Walk", is the best answer.
"Students can more easily influence their peers, siblings, parents, grandparents. Most students are good users of social media, so they can more easily communicate their ideas and influence others, ”one of their teachers and coordinator at Walk the Global Walk told CITY.
On the occasion of all the interesting things that have been done so far in the framework of the project (a series of seminars for the implementation of non-formal lesson plans for teachers, workshops for students-leaders in schools in cooperation with local authorities, "Karkasialikkin with a point", Summer School in Lisbon for 5 students from the High School of Paralimni who presented the actions that took place in their municipality, the formation of a common manifesto and action plan for Sustainable Cities and Communities), but also the series of actions and actions that was inaugurated Recently, in collaboration with schools and local organizations, with the main goal of raising awareness and activating students and the public about climate change, we had a very interesting and meaningful discussion with those directly involved in Walk the Global Walk (project manager, students and teachers). ).
Why is Sustainable Development (should) be a key concept in the 21st century?
Christina Kyprianou, Professor, Walk the Global Walk Coordinator at Paralimni High School
Sustainable development is a key concept in the 21st century, because our cities and communities need to improve their local planning so that they are prepared to face any disasters (fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters that can happen from one moment to the next. eliminate a city or community) and offer their residents a better quality of life.
The population of cities / communities must be integrated into society and there must be no exclusions. The population of the land and especially of the cities is increasing and at the same time the problems are increasing, such as the pollution of the environment, the traffic on the roads, the housing, the management of the waste, the lack of public transport, the lack of green spaces etc. Solutions must be found for the above problems. That is why Sustainable Development is a key word.
Professor of Informatics: Sofia Sourkouni
The goal of Sustainable Development is to meet the needs of the present, but without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The balance between Economy, Environment and Society is achieved through Sustainable Development. Economic growth must go hand in hand with environmental protection and social cohesion, as illustrated by the well-known equilateral triangle of Sustainable Development. We are building the future of our children and future generations.
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
In the 19th century, when the world was made up of empires, "growth" was mainly about competition for increasing the amount of military resources. In the 20th century, when empires were replaced by nation-states, the word "development" was used to compete for GDP growth. We are already in almost a quarter of the 21st century and now the world is made up of financial, economic, political and military supranational cooperation of countries. "Growth" has now become "Sustainable Development", which helps us understand that previous developments have been unsustainable. Competitions that inevitably led to Wars and Environmental, Political and Cultural Disasters led the social institutions of each era to take advantage of the natural and human environment in pursuit of "Victory" over the other. However, in the face of the negative effects that have been created for the environment and the social and humanitarian problems that exist in the world, there is an urgent need to be committed to promoting sustainable development. In other words, measures should be taken to reduce and eliminate hunger, poverty and ensure the viability of future generations. That is, to follow an approach that ensures the needs of our generation, while ensuring the needs for future generations.
How can teenagers (students) help in this direction?
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
The role of education in society has many different uses. Training, skills training and the creation of productive citizens are some of these social benefits. But the main thing is to create active citizens by participating in the public. Only the formation and activation of such individuals will be able to bring about a change in institutions and require sustainable development. In this context, students are a very important part of the solution, and they cannot be absent from the discussion on their part about their future. Involving students in important, global issues is a prerequisite for creating an active and active generation with an understanding of global conditions and challenges and achieving the idea of a World Citizen.
Christina Kyprianou, Professor, Walk the Global Walk Coordinator at Paralimni High School
Students can more easily influence their peers, siblings, parents, grandparents. Most students are good users of social media so they can more easily communicate their ideas and influence others. After all, students can have useful and innovative ideas.
What students-leaders mean. How do you students understand this terminology?
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
The term Students-Leaders is an indirect recognition of people with temperament and sensitivities that make them stand out from the rest of the students. They are students with a strong interest in the public and who have an active stance on defending and promoting their beliefs and opinions. These individuals are the so-called multipliers, who, if informed and encouraged to become active, can become agents of change in their local context, shaping the narrative and public debate on a more sustainable basis.
Professor of Informatics: Sofia Sourkouni
Student-leaders can demonstrate good practice of other students participating in various programs. To be able to work with the Central Student Councils of the departments, the School Directorate to promote new practices / implement plans to achieve sustainable development goals. Also, be able to work with local authorities to achieve the goals.
Christina Kyprianou, Professor, Walk the Global Walk Coordinator at Paralimni High School
Students who have the character, the ethos, the selfless offer and the clear thinking, then have the ability to lead and influence the lives of their classmates and their country. When they have the maturity to single out what is important to the community, the country and humanity, then they can become the catalysts for change for the better. Also, young people must become active citizens, because they are the future of our country and our planet.
And what should be the role of teachers in this case?
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
The role of teachers is very important. As the intermediate link between the wider society and the students, they carry the greatest impact on the success or failure of any endeavor. They are the ones who will pass on the knowledge and interest to the students but will also inspire them to be active.
Professor of Informatics: Sofia Sourkouni
Teachers, following the "Learning, Thinking and Acting" pattern, will enable students to acquire new skills and become aware of sustainable development. The development of critical thinking and the fight against prejudice will be acquired through experiential laboratories.
Christina Kyprianou, Professor, Walk the Global Walk Coordinator at Paralimni High School
We, as teachers, must inform, reflect on and guide the new generation properly. We need to be the right role models as teachers and as young people. Also, to cultivate their global values and respect for man and nature.
What exactly was the "Karkasielikkin with a point" that happened?
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
"Karkasialikkin with a point" is based on student marches that have been taking place in Canada for years as a means of activating students, as well as local communities and the government. The idea is to have a positive course that demonstrates both the existence of this invisible minority and its active and active nature, as a saying goes, "History is written by those who are there" (History is written by those who show up). In other words, the positive involvement of Karkasialikki, the Cypriot holiday riot, with the main goal of seeking the recognition of students as important members of the local communities and the state in general, is the main purpose of this course.
Christina Kyprianou, Professor, Walk the Global Walk Coordinator at Paralimni High School
A delegation from our school consisting of 18 students and 19 teachers, Assistant Principals and children of teachers, traveled by bus to Nicosia and specifically to the Acropolis Park.
Other people gathered at the site, representatives of Cardet, the open school of the Municipality of Strovolos, the Mayor Mr. Andreas Papacharalambous and the Municipal Council of Strovolos.
We made a procession accompanied by music, from the Acropolis park through the boulevards of the Municipality to the park of Agios Dimitrios. At regular intervals there were stops, where the open school of the Municipality gave small performances.
Professor of Informatics: Sofia Sourkouni
Groups of children presented dance events in various places, dressed in recyclable materials. We walked to a green and sustainable city.
What exactly did you present at Lisbon (at the Summer School) and how did children from other countries react to your presentation?
Stylianos Londos, student (2nd high school)
In Lisbon we presented some problems that exist in today's Cypriot society. For example, we talked about the economic problem (crisis) that exists in the country. We also mentioned the lack of MMM. In addition, we discussed the issue of Urban Planning. Through this presentation we tried to find some ways to deal with these problems.
Pantelis Giorkatzis, student (2nd high school)
One of the problems we focused on was Lake Paralimni, which we believe will have many benefits for our region if we use it properly.
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
In Lisbon we presented some of the actions that took place in the framework of the program Walking the World Walk (images on Facebook: wtgw2018), especially in the Lyceum of Paralimni.
Eva Kallika, student (2nd high school)
One of the main concerns of most people is that bus transportation is not enough, because there must be more seats for those with disabilities. With regard to cars, it is beneficial to use electric cars, in order to provide them as incentives for transportation that will be alternative. We also mentioned about the green spaces, that it is necessary to be accessible, that is, to make excursions without garbage that the hikers can enjoy. In addition, the prices for buying apartments and houses are quite high, so people and families who are financially weak will not be able to have a home easily, as most of them are expensive.
George Asprou, student (2nd high school)
One of the things that bothered us was the inability of young people, especially young people, to get a house that they could pay for. The solution to this is that we may think that the granting of a sum of money by the state to young people may be a solution. Another concern was the public transport, since in Cyprus there are only buses, with the result that many who work in other cities find the daily route an obstacle. We thought it would be good to build an underground railway to connect our cities. Finally, the urban planning of some villages seemed to be problematic and we proposed its revision. The other children from other countries tried to help us, as some of our problems were common to other countries.
Eugenia Karypidou, student (2nd high school)
In Lisbon we presented the actions we took before we made our trip there. For example, we talked about the course we had taken in Nicosia, where we stopped traffic and during it there were small stops where younger children presented small dances and events on recycling. We also gave a presentation to the students of our school regarding SDG11 and what we are trying to do about it.
What are the main points on the manifesto you created in Lisbon?
Stylianos Londos, student (2nd high school)
Education is the main ingredient in Manifesto. What we all agreed on in Lisbon was that education is the cornerstone of a more organized and sustainable society.
George Asprou, student (2nd high school)
In my opinion the main points of the manifesto are the following: first, the proper management of renewable energy sources and their reinforcement. Furthermore, MMM needs to be upgraded and electric cars promoted. Finally, roofing and access to green spaces are also important.
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
The Manifesto is a list of priorities and practical applications for tackling youth apathy in cities. The presentations follow the objectives set out in Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Some of the most important suggestions for young people are to create alternative ways of transporting cities, maintaining culturally important spaces, investing and expanding public spaces and parks, and widely adopting Renewable Energy Sources to improve air quality in cities.
Eva Kallika, student (2nd high school)
One of the main points of the manifesto is the need for access to green spaces. There should be forests as excursions so that people can make more visits outside in the natural environment.
Eugenia Karypidou, student (2nd high school)
In my opinion, the main points on the manifesto that we signed are the goal of 11.4 "Cultural and natural heritage", ie the reduction of the printing of negligence in the care of natural and cultural spaces and the implementation of stronger protection measures.
Pantelis Giorkatzis, student (2nd high school)
We also agreed that education in Sustainable Development should be mandatory.
What does a Sustainable City look like in your mind?
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
A sustainable city is as green as possible, safe with good air quality, accessible from different media, large squares and parks. A sustainable city is one that will provide a good mix of work and fun, making it a catalyst for integrating, accepting and blending different cultures and innovative ideas.
Eva Kallika, student (2nd high school)
In my mind a truly sustainable city seems something completely different with all the above references. I imagine it with more forests that will end up becoming beautiful camping sites. Mainly not to cut down all the trees and plants, so that nature is not replaced by houses and surrounded only by cement. If we progress first, then our city will progress as well.
Stylianos Londos, student (2nd high school)
In my mind a sustainable city is the city where all people have "everyday" comfort. By this I mean that everyone should have some necessary means of survival and the satisfaction of self-evident needs e.g. securing land, first home, education, easy access to MMM.
George Asprou, student (2nd high school)
A sustainable city for me is a city in which all citizens, regardless of particularity or not, will be able to live with the same ease and comfort, both in movement and in coexistence with other citizens and will be entitled to equal expression of speech and opinion.
Pantelis Giorkatzis, student (2nd high school)
For me, a sustainable city would be one where people could live comfortably but also in order, so that we can help improve various ecological and environmental problems.
Can non-formal learning be easier to apply in cases like this than in any other case at school?
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
Non-formal learning is a learning methodology that complements typical learning, especially when it comes to large, complex global social issues. This methodology emphasizes the need for active student participation in the learning process as there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer, which is the basis of the teaching method, but also the dialectical method due to the recognition of the complexity of social issues.
Professor of Informatics: Sofia Sourkouni
Informal learning has been successfully implemented in our school. We tried the lesson plans given to us. I can say that she was successful in all aspects.
Christina Kyprianou, Professor, Walk the Global Walk Coordinator at Paralimni High School
Informal learning may be applicable in other cases if our students show the expected maturity. The benefits may be greater than we would expect.
What's next for the Walk the Global Walk program from September onwards?
Theocharis Michael, CARDET (Project Manager)
With the beginning of the new school year in September and our new goal, Climate Change, we have begun to accept partnerships with Gymnasiums and Lyceums throughout Cyprus. Then a workshop will be held for teachers, where the new lesson plans will be presented regarding the sensitization of students and teachers regarding Climate Change. In the next stages, some of the lesson plans will be implemented in the classrooms, the student leaders will be recognized, who will work with the teachers, the local authorities and other initiatives (New for Climate Change) to create awareness actions in their local communities. and for their local communities / schools, while in the spring / summer of 2020 the second course "Karkasialikkin with a point" will take place and will be followed by the Summer School in Wales with a delegation of 5 students and 2 teachers from all over t Cyprus for the creation of a Youth Manifesto for Climate Change.
Christina Kyprianou, Professor, Walk the Global Walk Coordinator at Paralimni High School
We are committed to Lisbon that the Municipalities of our region and the Municipality of Strovolos will listen to the teenagers of Cyprus and 11 other countries through the Manifesto they have prepared in Lisbon.
We will meet with the Municipalities of our region, in order to implement the seven goals of Manifesto. They include recommendations for housing, transportation, sustainable urbanization, preservation of cultural and natural heritage, disasters, negative environmental impacts on cities and access to green spaces. We will also see if we can plan joint actions and activities in which our students will be active. For example, for this year we said that we will participate in #potavristou and in "Let's do it Cyprus", for the cleaning of the coastline of Paralimni - Ayia Napa. As part of the European Mobility Week, the Municipalities of Paralimni-Ayia Napa are organizing "Let's ride a bike and walk together!" and we will participate. We will also suggest cleaning Lake Paralimni with our own contribution.
At the same time, we will continue the goal of 2019 concerning Climate Change.
Briefly…
Walk the Global Walk is a European program that includes activities in 11 European countries - Italy, France, Croatia, Cyprus, United Kingdom (Wales and Scotland), Portugal, France, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania.
It aims to provide opportunities for teachers and students of schools in these countries, and in this case in Cyprus, to be active, through local social and environmental activities, in the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
The program "runs" for three years following the school calendar and includes a series of actions for the education of teachers and students-leaders in schools throughout Cyprus, who are then supported to carry out actions in schools and their local communities.
Since September, the project has launched a number of other actions and activities in collaboration with schools and local agencies, with the main goal of raising awareness and activating students and the public about climate change.
Source: city.sigmalive