The TUI Care Foundation and the Dutch National Committee for UNICEF have joined forces to support environmental education in schools as part of the Clean Green Zimbabwe program. The Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative, spearheaded by the Government of Zimbabwe in collaboration with UNICEF Zimbabwe, aims to empower children and young people as environmental stewards and change agents while providing climate-resilient services.
Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, highlighted the importance of urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on children. “Urgent action is required to reduce the impacts of climate change and environmental crisis on children, allowing them to realize their potential and fulfill their rights,” Oyewale said.
Alexander Panczuk, Executive Director of TUI Care Foundation, spoke about the pivotal role children and young people play in conservation efforts. “Children and young people can play a pivotal role in conserving nature and wildlife when they are empowered to become ambassadors for a healthy and sustainable environment. This is at the core of the TUI Care Foundation’s Junior Academy Programme, which enables youngsters to safeguard nature and wildlife whilst also raising awareness about the splendor and vulnerability of the natural world,” said Panczuk
Former Minister of Environment, Climate and Water, Mangaliso Ndhlovu, also highlighted the importance of investing in the environment for the future of the nation. “By investing in our environment, we are investing in the future of our Nation. The Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative will propel a whole of government approach in creating a legacy of sustainability, resilience and prosperity that will benefit generations to come,” said Ndhlovu
Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Margret Verwijk, commended the initiative for prioritizing young people. “When given the tools and space, children can be powerful agents of change. The Netherlands prioritizes young people in our work on human rights, the economy, and climate change. It is encouraging to see how The Clean Green Zimbabwe initiative will improve school spaces, and tailor them to support the next generation to live more sustainably,” said Ambassador Verwijk.
The support from the TUI Junior Academy will include a competency-based curriculum, teacher training, and content delivery to increase environmental education and empower children as change agents. The TUI Junior Academy will support the Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative for three years, focusing on Clean Green Schools to reach at least 81,000 children and 2,640 teachers in 240 schools.
