Like other countries across the world, Iraq is suffering from the effects of climate change – particularly in the form of droughts. In December 2022 British Council Iraq embarked on a partnership with academics from the IOE’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education to enhance this area of education in the country, with the potential to influence the learning of millions of school age children – some of whom may go on to become key leaders and decision makers.
British Council Iraq wanted to explore how climate change and sustainability education could be better highlighted in the Iraq School Human Rights Award, how teachers could be supported in this field, and the dialogue needed between ministers and other key decision makers. The UCL team visited Erbil, in Iraq, for a series of fruitful workshops with Iraqi policymakers, teachers, school leaders and other key stakeholders. Dr Lizzie Rushton and Dr Kate Greer also surveyed Iraqi teachers.
The work resulted in recommendations and materials focusing on how to support teacher development and practice, and enhancements in policy, which British Council Iraq can now implement.
The British Council went on to use this project to help define their priorities for climate change and sustainability education on a global scale, which was launched in a collaborative report with IOE and the University of Stirling and presented at COP28 events in Dubai in 2023.
