Network meeting of the Geopark Schools 2024: Strengthening sustainability in everyday school life
On 17 October 2024, the annual network meeting of the Geopark schools took place at the Sonnenluger School in Mengen. The Geopark Schools of the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb are a special network of educational institutions that are characterised by intensive cooperation and innovative projects in the fields of earth science and sustainability. The meeting in Mengen offered representatives from various schools in the region the opportunity to network and learn from each other.
This year's meeting focussed on the question of how education for sustainable development (ESD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be integrated even more strongly into everyday school life. In intensive discussion rounds and workshops, the participants exchanged experiences and jointly developed new approaches to actively integrate ESD into school projects. From sustainable resource conservation projects to workshops on climate change and biodiversity – the geopark schools make an important contribution to preparing pupils for the future with their programmes.
A highlight of the meeting was a walk through the forest with a forester, who gave the participants exciting insights into the challenges of regional forestry. The specific effects of climate change on the forests of the Swabian Alb were also explained. The practical insights provided plenty of food for thought for the classroom and impressively demonstrated how closely education and sustainable action are linked.
Education for sustainable development (ESD) in the geopark schools
As an important part of the UNESCO mission, the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb promotes ESD in its geopark schools. ESD empowers learners to actively shape the future and provides them with the knowledge and skills to deal responsibly with our natural resources. In the geopark schools, concrete projects such as excursions, school activities and interdisciplinary curricula are used to find new ways of anchoring sustainable values in everyday school life.
