The Secretary-General for the South African National Commission for UNESCO, Mr Carlton Mukwevho, is upbeat about collective responses to climate change as demonstrated by member states affiliated to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Mr Mukwevho recently attended the Eastern and Southern Africa Education for Sustainable Development-Network (ESD-NET) Regional Workshop aimed at empowering school communities to make a valuable contribution towards mitigating the challenges imposed by climate change in local and global communities. The workshop took place at the Holiday Inn in Boksburg, Gauteng Province, from 23 to 24 June 2025. Dr Granville Whittle, Deputy Director-General for Social Mobilisation and Support Services at the DBE, delivered his keynote address during the official opening of the UNESCO workshop. 

In his remarks, Mr Mukwevho stated that the workshop was intended to amplify the ESD-NET members’ efforts towards promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at regional level.  “The deliberation during the workshop focused on greening education, climate change and building the capacity of stakeholders in the implementation of ESD focus areas. Through the workshop, participants were encouraged to share best practice to ensure the effective promotion of greening education in several education systems within the region. Member states such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa were fully represented during this workshop,” confirmed Mr Mukwevho.

In his opening remarks, Dr Whittle commended the ESD-NET members for prioritising ESD goals, with a particular emphasis on climate change. “Our deliberation on ESD should allow us to pave the way for schools to be responsive to climate change challenges. As a region, we can learn from each other in terms of strengthening the curriculum to embrace the ESD goals, which entail a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Mukwevho for working closely with member states in the region in ensuring that their programmes are aligned with key ESD goals.”