How the ALEC Project is Transforming Climate Education in Latin America?
Natalie Nicetto, Project Manager for ALEC at the Office for Climate Education, explains in a video what the Latin America for Climate Education (ALEC) entails. In this interview, we explore the objectives, challenges, and achievements of this ambitious initiative and how it is transforming climate change education in the region.
What is the ALEC Project?
The ALEC Project (Latin America for Climate Education) is a five-year pilot initiative launched in 2020 by the OCE. Its goal is to strengthen climate change education in Latin America, specifically in Mexico and Colombia, with plans to expand to other countries in the region. ALEC aligns with the broader purpose of the OCE: empowering primary and secondary school teachers to integrate climate change concepts into their classrooms and supporting national education systems.
Why is it important to teach climate change?
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. According to a UNESCO survey, although 95% of teachers believe it is essential to teach about this topic, less than 30% feel prepared to do so. Climate education is crucial for new generations to understand environmental phenomena and take actions to mitigate their effects. The ALEC project seeks to empower young people by equipping them with essential skills to face the challenges of a changing climate.
How does ALEC approach climate change education?
ALEC promotes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching climate change, incorporating scientific topics like the greenhouse effect, but also addressing issues of climate justice, future narratives, and emotions. This approach fosters a more comprehensive understanding, connecting climate change with various aspects of students' lives and cultures.
What are ALEC's main objectives?
ALEC focuses on four key objectives:
- Teacher Training: Strengthening teachers' capacities through professional training programs ranging from 20 to 45 hours. Teachers learn about the climate system and active pedagogical methodologies to integrate this knowledge into the classroom.
- Production of Educational Resources: Creating materials based on IPCC reports, adapted to local contexts. These resources facilitate climate change teaching in different regions, ensuring that the information is relevant and accessible.
- Influence on Public Policy: Building a community of practice to exchange knowledge between the education and scientific sectors. This reduces the gap between policy and practice, promoting positive changes in education systems.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensuring the scalability of the project through careful coordination that allows the model to be replicated in other countries.
What impact has ALEC had so far?
Since its launch, ALEC has achieved:
- Training over 17,000 teachers directly and indirectly.
- Impacting more than 400,000 students.
- Integrating climate education into at least 150,000 classrooms, promoting a systemic approach to teaching.
- Building networks with 32 partners in 11 countries, strengthening regional collaboration and the exchange of best practices.
What’s next for the ALEC Project?
The future of ALEC focuses on expanding its reach and consolidating its impact:
- Geographical Expansion: Institutions in countries like Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, and Peru have requested the implementation of the project.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Continuing to form strategic partnerships with governments, NGOs, and educational entities to boost efforts and resources.
- Updating and Producing Resources: Creating new educational materials tailored to different local contexts, ensuring the relevance and effectiveness of the teaching.
- Curriculum Implementation: Encouraging the adoption of national curricula sensitive to climate change, formally integrating these topics into educational systems.
- Community Empowerment: With a focus on empowering educational communities, ALEC aims to train more teachers and, through them, prepare future generations to tackle the challenges of climate change.
The ALEC Project is transforming climate education in Latin America by addressing the urgent need to prepare teachers and students to face climate change. Its interdisciplinary and collaborative approach not only improves understanding of the issue but also inspires concrete actions to mitigate its effects. As ALEC expands its reach and strengthens its partnerships, it positions itself as a key initiative for empowering future generations and building a more sustainable future.