Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer.
Every month, the Global Schools Program shines a spotlight on educators who are making a difference in their communities by integrating sustainable development into their classrooms.
These advocates are at the forefront of shaping future leaders, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to create a more sustainable world.
This February, we are thrilled to celebrate nine dedicated advocates whose commitment to education and sustainability is inspiring change globally.
Saifoor Malghalara has achieved significant milestones in her mission to empower students and promote sustainable development. Key achievements include the collection of donations for an orphanage and the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) into primary and middle school curricula.
Furthermore, she has inspired students to develop creative initiatives to raise awareness about climate action and wildlife conservation, demonstrating the program's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Godfred Sarpong is a committed Global Schools Advocate, educator, and researcher committed to leveraging technology for transformative education.
As the Municipal ICT Coordinator for Asante Akim Central Municipal in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and a part-time Assistant Lecturer at UEW-CODeL, Ejisu, he teaches Educational Technology, ICT, and education courses, including STS: Developing Teaching, Mentoring, and Coaching Teacher Students at Distance Education centers across basic schools in the Ashanti Region.
With a passion for inclusive and equitable education, Godfred founded Sustainable Future Alliance and JScholars, initiatives that empower students and educators through digital literacy, mentorship, and capacity-building programs.
His advocacy extends to Girls in ICT, where he works to inspire and equip young girls with the skills to thrive in the digital world.
Beyond advocacy, Godfred is shaping the future of EdTech research. He recently completed his MPhil viva at KNUST on February 7, 2025, with his study titled Teachers' Experience with EdTech for Achieving SDG4 in Asante Akim Central Municipality. As he awaits graduation in March, he is pioneering a new research project: Leveraging Educational Technology for Equitable Access: A Framework for Accredited Digital Learning Pathways for Out-of-School Youth in Ghana. This initiative is designed to redefine education access for youth in mining and underserved communities, ensuring that learning remains a right, not a privilege.
According to Godfred, education is more than just knowledge, it is a gateway to opportunity, empowerment, and social change. Through JScholars and Sustainable Future Alliance, he is working to create sustainable, technology-driven learning pathways that will equip young learners with the skills and confidence to shape their own futures.
He says when communities come together with a shared vision, the impossible becomes possible.
As a Global Schools Advocate, Sanam Arzoo is passionate, driven, and highly organized in her mission to integrate the SDGs into education.
She ensures that sustainability is a fundamental component of learning by actively incorporating the SDGs into her lessons and school programs.
Through curriculum development, training, and advocacy, she empowers educators and students to embrace sustainable behaviors and critical thinking. She also collaborates with schools, leading programs and workshops that encourage the next generation to build a more sustainable society.
Meagan Vosk is the MYP/DP Community Engagement Coordinator and Model UN Supervisor at Vientiane International School in Laos. She is passionate about helping students understand the importance of sustainability and SDGs.
As a Global Schools Advocate, Meagan has organized several community-wide events, such as a Changemakers Summit and a Sustainable Business Showcase. She has also initiated the inclusion of sustainability and service-learning-focused electives in her school's master schedule and spearheaded campus activities to celebrate UN days such as Peace Day, Human Rights Day, Mother Tongue Day, and Women's Day.
Additionally, Meagan has written about the importance of Education for Sustainable Development for The International Educator (TIE) Online Newsletter. Currently, she is working on setting up a student-led Earth Day celebration at her school. Meagan is delighted to be featured as an Advocate of the Month.
As a dedicated Global Schools Advocate, Efetemabo Adaeze Onoyake has made significant contributions to promoting global awareness, understanding, and citizenship at Queen’s College and other secondary schools, including Impetus College and Covenant Hall Schools. Efetemabo started by introducing the SDGs and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in her classroom, school, and to teachers both virtually and on-site.
As a passionate advocate for global schools, Efetemabo has facilitated global collaborations and partnerships among schools, educators, and my community. She has shared innovative resources, tools, and best practices for integrating global perspectives into curricula, empowering teachers to develop the skills and confidence needed to incorporate technology into the classroom.
Efetemabo’s work has had a profound impact on students and educators. She has fostered cultural exchange, empathy, and understanding among diverse groups, inspiring a new generation of global citizens. This has earned her opportunities to be trained at the American Space Center, invitations to train other teachers, and recognition through awards. Through Efetemabo’s advocacy, she has continued to motivate educators, students, and communities to become active global citizens equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Cynthia Puehringer leads her students in taking action within their community circles while making learning fun.
Her school focuses on SDG 4 (Quality education) by offering a unique Intentional Kindness after-school club in cooperation with the non-profit organization Only7Seconds. Her team and students regularly create inspirational sticky notes, decorate with chalk art, and organize farewell events for school graduates.
She highlights SDG 13 (Climate Action) by partnering with the local authority LinzAG to host bilingual workshops on community recycling and responsible waste sorting for upper primary students. Recently, her students explored Austria’s new mandatory deposit system for bottles and tins and initiated their own immediate action ideas.
Additionally, all elementary students now attend weekly Outdoor Learning Program classes centered on SDG 15 (Life on Land), focusing on urban gardening, composting, and sharing their harvest. Through these hands-on experiences, students bring sustainability to life.
Getrude Ziracha has been working with students in her school and the surrounding rural community to advocate for sustainable development. Her efforts have led to positive change, particularly in environmental conservation.
One of her notable achievements is in tree planting, where both students and the community have made commendable progress. Additionally, students in the school’s environmental club have demonstrated remarkable behavioral change, initiating sustainability campaigns and activities with minimal teacher involvement. They have already begun preparing for the next tree planting season, conduct clean-up campaigns, produce cleaning agents for the school, engage in bird studies, participate in Eco Schools Zimbabwe activities, and take an active interest in wetland conservation.
Through her role as a Global Schools Advocate, Getrude has successfully met her goals in environmental education and youth empowerment.
Being a Global Schools Advocate has transformed Atanga Comfort’s teaching and learning strategies, impacting both her school community and the associations she belongs to.
Since joining the program, Atanga’s role in her region, Yaoundé, has evolved significantly, and she now feels empowered to address her community with confidence.
Global Schools has provided her with the platform to grow as an educator, and she is excited about the positive changes happening within her school and beyond.
As a Global Schools Advocate and Design Educator, Iman Farooq seamlessly integrates sustainability into creative problem-solving.
Through her teaching, she encourages students to explore the intersection of design, innovation, and environmental responsibility, fostering solutions that align with the SDGs.
Her approach goes beyond theory; she curates hands-on experiences where students apply design thinking to real-world challenges, such as sustainable product development and eco-friendly materials. By conducting workshops, leading school-wide initiatives, and sharing best practices within the Global Schools Program, she not only inspires her students but also contributes to a global community of educators working toward a more sustainable future.
For Iman, design is not just about aesthetics; it is a powerful tool for social and environmental change.
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