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As the impacts of climate change grow ever more severe, equipping young people with the tools to confront these challenges has become an urgent global priority. In Belarus, a transformative shift in climate education is underway, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to foster practical skills, inclusivity, and actionable solutions.
A survey of 10,000 young people aged 16 to 25 revealed that 70% are deeply concerned about climate change.
Yet, focus on fear alone is not enough. The focus must be on empowering this generation to understand the scale of the crisis, adopt sustainable behaviors, and drive innovation. Armed with robust climate literacy, young people can make informed choices - reducing their carbon footprints, championing sustainable practices, and embracing green technologies. Their active engagement is not just vital for mitigation but also for inspiring future generations to take up the mantle of climate action.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus, alongside national partners, is spearheading this educational change.
Republican forum “Green Schools – Successful Future”, Minsk, Belarus.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus, alongside national partners, is spearheading this educational evolution. A landmark event in this effort was the Republican forum “Green Schools - Successful Future,” held in Minsk in late February. Organized by the Republican Centre for Ecology and Local History with support from UNDP’s Climate Box project, the forum brought together over 100 teachers, experts, and students to reimagine climate education. The primary focus of the Forum was to explore ways to transform climate education from a static collection of facts into a dynamic and engaging conversation.
At the heart of the forum was the launch of the updated “Climate Box,” a dynamic educational toolkit designed to make climate science engaging and accessible. Far from a dry compendium of facts, the kit includes interactive case studies, hands-on experiments, and project-based tasks.
The forum also highlighted an inclusive approach to climate education, unveiling two new manuals tailored for children with special developmental needs and preschoolers. These resources, crafted to be age-appropriate and individualized, aim to demystify complex topics like climate impacts and environmental stewardship from an early age.
Early exposure to environmental knowledge fosters responsibility and helps children understand the connection between their actions and the planet’s health. By ensuring inclusivity, the initiative guarantees that all children, regardless of ability, can contribute to solving global challenges, nurturing a generation prepared for informed and collective action.
The sets of educational materials “Climate Box” have already been distributed among schools in all regions of Belarus.
The “Climate Box” educational materials are designed to empower schoolchildren to learn about climate change while providing teachers with the tools they need to effectively organize and deliver engaging lessons on the subject.
The Minsk Forum underscored a broader trend: climate education is no longer a niche theme. Through innovative teaching methods, interdisciplinary approaches, and a focus on real-world application, it is bridging the gap between classrooms and society.
Belarus’s efforts signal a crucial shift in the global climate narrative: everyone has a role to play. Every textbook, lesson, and student project are a step toward a more sustainable future. As the world grapples with the climate crisis, initiatives like these remind us that the fight for the planet begins in the classroom.
