The recent International Climate Change Education Workshop in Turkey proved to be a success in two respects: Emphasising the integral role of knowledge and education, and highlighting the power of collaborative, multiple work in tackling climate change.

Taking responsibility is a precondition to enable change for most of the Climate Advocates from nine countries who gathered in Ankara in November. It was put well by an Advocate from Northern Ireland who said, “if we want to make an impact on climate change, we need to readjust our thinking. Environment is not out there, far away in the Arctic. It’s here, with us, in each breath we take.” But responsibility comes with knowledge, and as the Associate Professor of Elementary Education in Ankara’s Middle East Technical University (METU), Özgül Tüzün Yılmaz stressed in her presentation, “Enlightenment is a necessary precondition to accept changes in policies and personal matters.”

The path to change through responsibility, knowledge, and enlightenment was the overarching theme of the International Climate Education Workshop, a networking event organised as part of the British Council’s global climate change project, Challenge Europe. The METU campus hosted 35 Climate Advocates for three days where presentations and visits highlighted the importance of education in tackling climate change, and joint activities helped the Advocates find new ways to work together to achieve change.

Academics and NGO representatives from civil society shared their experience with Advocates from all walks of life. Teaching science, the impact of education on behaviour, and ways of including learning in the diverse selection of Challenge Europe projects were some of the highlights of the sessions. Chris Large, the Head of Research and Development in Global Action Plan, a UK NGO, focused on how crucial it is to engage the general public, businesses and local governments. For Large, the best way to do this was through, “showing them the benefits for their agencies through aligning objectives.”

One comment made by Chris Large struck a chord and reminded everyone why it is of utmost importance to work together in as many and diverse ways as possible: “There is no single solution that will motivate a mainstream audience to live a greener life. It requires multiple, integrated solutions.”

Joint effort pays off across young listeners

Meeting with 9th, 10th and 11th graders from METU College on the final day offered Advocates the perfect ending to the programme and an opportunity to interact with students and showcase the previous two days’ work by engaging them in a topic that could very well have bored young listeners.

“Art and creativity are important in giving inspiration and raising awareness, especially when working with children,” said Sotiris Skouloudis from Greece. Advocates from Finland and Denmark shared examples on how to be socially responsible, and enjoy the process at the same time. “You don’t have to think in terms of not doing certain things for the environment. You can always start something new and fun,” said Marjo Salo from Finland, while students listened in awe to a recent green music festival in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen was a word that came up frequently, as anxiety loomed about the biggest global climate change event, which was only days away. Kumru Adanalı, the Director of UTES (UK-Turkey Environment Society), the British Council’s partner in Turkey for Challenge Europe, focused on an imminent need to act together, sounding hopeful about Copenhagen. “As the Copenhagen Conference approaches, climate issues that have a crucial place on the world agenda are being addressed more often and in a more sophisiticated way by public and private sectors of developed countries as well as developing countries.”

Low-carbon travel, an international climate network, green projections, and a photo exhibition were some of the projects the Climate Advocates highlighted for possible collaborations in the coming months. For Özlem Gökalp, British Council Turkey’s Science and Climate Change Projects Manager, “Dedication to a cause, and a strong sense of commitment to volunteer work,” are the main drivers behind the enthusiasm that has not faltered since the first days of Challenge Europe.

For further information on Challenge Europe, visit here, or send an e-mail to Özlem Gökalp at ozlem.gokalp@britishcouncil.org.tr