8th World Environmental Education Day: celebrating today, October 14
October 14 marks the anniversary of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Conference on Environmental Education, held in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1977. This conference, which concluded on October 26, was a milestone, reflecting the growing awareness and concern within society and institutions at the time. For the first time, environmental issues and education for environmental awareness were officially recognized at an institutional level, following the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm.
The main outcome of the 1977 conference was the Tbilisi Declaration, which set out the principles of environmental education. It emphasized that education should be global and community-based, continuous, and lifelong. It should engage people of all ages, particularly young people, to foster a sense of active responsibility for the environment.
Forty years later, in 2017, the WEEC (World Environmental Education Congress) network launched the first World Environmental Education Day in Vancouver, coinciding with its ninth global congress and the participation of the Georgian government. In 2024, we are celebrating the eighth World Environmental Education Day, and to mark this occasion, the WEEC network is compiling all projects and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental awareness.
Every project plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the need to rethink our relationship with the environment, develop the interdisciplinary skills needed to navigate today’s complex challenges, and cultivate a population that is mindful of environmental issues. We need action from everyone!
Projects for World Environmental Education Day
This year, between September 14 and October 30, organizations involved in environmental education, along with museums, parks, schools, and other institutions, are running awareness-raising projects.
To celebrate the eighth World Environmental Education Day, the WEEC network is gathering all relevant projects to highlight the growing interest in this field. At the end of October, a 2024 Final Report will be published, summarizing all submitted initiatives, which will also be promoted through our media channels.
Many projects have already been submitted, approaching the theme from different angles and using various methods, all of which are effective.
Some projects feature in-person activities following informal education models, giving participants hands-on experiences of environmental stewardship. For example, the Vellmari Association focuses on marine environment protection in the Balearic Islands, organizing communication campaigns about the role of marine ecosystems, research initiatives, and educational programs. They have launched the “Exploring the Oceans” project, designed to raise awareness among children and youth aged 8 to 17.
Other projects focus on creating networks. One initiative, currently in the planning phase, envisions a digital platform for sharing practical and theoretical knowledge among teachers, students, and anyone interested in environmental education.
While some projects are new, others build on the long-standing efforts of institutions and communities with a history of environmental education. One such project is led by Hardwood Education in partnership with People to People Kenya, which fosters knowledge exchange between teachers in the United Kingdom and Kenya.
Around the world, organizations are undertaking diverse initiatives—differing in approach, method, and audience—yet all united by the common goal of raising awareness for World Environmental Education Day.
Share your project with us!
Every action matters in our collective effort to create a more sustainable world, promote environmental education, and raise awareness about the issues that concern us all. The WEEC network, a global alliance of environmental educators, will manage these projects. The next WEEC congress will take place in Perth, Australia, in 2026—an opportunity to expand your knowledge, exchange experiences, and discuss best practices with experts in the field.
If you are running an initiative this October, we invite you to submit your project for inclusion. Want to get involved? Submit your project here and sign the petition to make October 14 the official World Environmental Education Day. Click here for more information and to sign. Every action counts!
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In the heart of Uganda, Muyunga Bruno, an IT Officer, Environmental Activist, and student mentor at St. Mark’s College Namagoma, is passionately leading a movement to safeguard the natural world for future generations.