Today, an international workshop-seminar aimed at addressing the global consequences of climate change through the education system commenced at Abai University. The event brought together Professor Hiroki Fuji, PhD, from Okayama University (Japan), university administration representatives, school teachers from Almaty, and young researchers.

The workshop, titled “Lesson Planning for Climate Action: Content, Pedagogy, and Assessment,” was organized within the framework of the international project “Promoting Teacher Education for Climate Change Education” (ATECCE), which focuses on advancing climate education across Asian countries. Today, the initiative has evolved into a major academic platform uniting leading universities from Kazakhstan, Japan, Indonesia, Mongolia, India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. The project is being implemented with the support of UNESCO Bangkok, the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

During the opening ceremony, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Banu Narbekova emphasized that climate change poses a threat not only to the environment, but also to education systems and public safety. Therefore, one of the key priorities today is preparing teachers to work effectively under new conditions.

Professor Hiroki Fuji noted that the issue has gone far beyond the scope of academic discussions and has become a global challenge determining the future of humanity.

– The ATECCE project was established precisely for this purpose. Today, our network brings together 24 pedagogical universities from 13 Asian countries. We are developing practical didactic models for integrating climate education into school curricula. The lesson plans developed during this seminar will contribute to improving environmental literacy among younger generations, – the professor stated.

The Japanese scholar also highly praised Abai University’s leadership role in Central Asia, emphasizing that the active involvement of Kazakhstani educators in international integration processes would elevate the quality of teacher training in the region to a new level.

The practical part of the international training featured insightful lectures by local scholars. Professor Kulash Kaimuldinova, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, delivered a presentation titled “Climate Extremes in the Era of Climate Change: Theoretical Concepts and Spatio-Temporal Features,” while Professor Bahadur Abdimanapov presented his report on “Climate Extremes in Kazakhstan’s Arid and Mountainous Regions: Spatio-Temporal Analysis under Climate Change Conditions.” Participants discussed innovative teaching methods, educational principles, and assessment mechanisms designed for schools while taking environmental risks into account.

It is worth noting that Abai University has been actively working in this field for several years. Two years ago, in 2024, the university hosted a large-scale forum within the framework of the same international project. That event laid a solid foundation for environmental didactics in Central Asia and directly contributed to the successful continuation of today’s practical workshop.

Years of experience demonstrate that it is impossible to address global crises without instilling environmental protection values from the school level. This joint initiative by the partners will undoubtedly enhance the professional competencies of future teachers and foster environmentally conscious attitudes among younger generations.

“Abai University” Media Center