WASHINGTON DC, MAPUTO – Media OutReach – October 23, 2023 – The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) launched today
Education in the eye of the storm – a virtual reality film in partnership with UNICEF presenting the challenges that climate change poses to children’s education in Mozambique.
Education in the eye of the storm invites users to discover the impact of extreme weather events on education and how children and their communities are adapting.
Cyclone Freddy, the longest tropical cyclone on record, hit Mozambique twice – on February 24 and March 11, 2023 – bringing strong winds combined with heavy rains and devastating the lives of hundreds of thousands of families.
“Viewers will experience the intensity of Cyclone Freddy and have a visceral understanding of the challenges the community faces during this natural disaster,” said
Laura Frigenti, Managing Director of GPE. “Education is an underestimated but essential pillar of climate action. GPE will continue to support partner countries in developing climate-smart education systems,” added
Frigenti.
“As the climate crisis intensifies, Mozambique continues to face recurring cyclones and climate shocks, which seriously jeopardize children’s ability to learn. That’s why UNICEF is working with the Government of Mozambique and partners to invest in climate-resilient classrooms that can withstand the strongest storms and ensure children stay in school – even after disaster,” said Maria Luisa Fornara, UNICEF Representative in Mozambique.
Through an immersive 360° experience, users can access videos, photos, interviews and other content to understand the extent of the destruction caused by Cyclone Freddy and its consequences on children’s education.
Keeping children in school during climate-related events starts with building resilient education systems. This includes risk-sensitive planning, climate-resilient infrastructure, and advanced curriculum and teacher training on climate and disaster risk reduction.
To fully harness the potential of climate action education, GPE is working with partners to provide technical support to include climate risk in country plans, foster cross-sector coordination and financing efforts adaptation.
With nearly a third of GPE funding supporting climate change response efforts, GPE also launched the Climate Smart Education Systems initiative in partnership with Save the Children and UNESCO, to strengthen the capacity of countries to include climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability in education sector plans and budgets. .
To access
https://educationinthestorm.org/ to watch the film in virtual reality.
Read it
Factsheet: Addressing climate change through education
Hashtag: #GPE
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