In July 2021, UKSSN students Advait (Midlands), Aadarsh (London), Chiara (London) and Elyse (Berkshire) provided a video ‘provocation’ to encourage discussion and dialogue about sustainability between young people and teachers from across the UK. This provocation can be viewed here. 

This opportunity for conversations between young people and teachers, or intergenerational dialogue, was a key feature of the Manifesto for Education for Environmental Sustainability, funded by the British Educational Research Association, and led by Dr Lynda Dunlop (University of York) and Dr Lizzie Rushton (King’s College London). The manifesto project brought together over 200 teachers and young people from across the UK to co-create a vision for what education for environmental sustainability could look like in the future and to set out key ‘demands’ of politicians and leaders so that this vision can be realised. The manifesto was published in November 2021 to coincide with COP26 and is illustrated by artist Maisy Summer. The manifesto is freely available to read and download here. 

Reflecting on the contribution of Advait, Aadarsh, Chiara and Elyse, Dr Lizzie Rushton said:

‘It was so important for this project that we were able to capture the expertise and energy of youth perspectives from the beginning. Advait, Aadarsh, Chiara and Elyse are youth leaders of sustainability work in schools, and, with Dr Jess Tipton, they were able to share their perspectives on priorities for education for environmental sustainability. These perspectives inspired all those who watch the provocation, and we are grateful to them for giving their support to this project and for continuing to inspire others to get involved in sustainability work in their own schools and communities.’

The work of the manifesto project team continues with a series of online Climate Education Conversations’. These will provide an open space for youth (16+), teachers, educators and those with an interest in climate education to share perspectives, ideas and approaches. The sessions will run on the last Wednesday (5.30-6.30pm) of each month starting in March and finishing in June. Each session will have a theme and a contribution from an invited speaker including: ‘The Anthropocene’ (April, Dr Cyrus Nayeri), ‘Decolonising’ (Dr Haira Gandolfi) and ‘Authentic Research’ (Prof Becky Parker). All those involved with UKSSN are very welcome to contribute to these sessions. Please complete the sign up here: https://york.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81wxK1yhLyp0ZM2

click here for more info about the upcoming sessions