Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer.
At the Global Schools Program, we celebrate passionate individuals committed to advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and equipping learners to build a better, more resilient world.
This month, we are excited to recognize seven outstanding advocates who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and leadership in their communities.
Each advocate brings unique initiatives and achievements, inspiring others to engage deeply with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote a sustainable future.
Join us in honoring our October Advocates of the Month!
Kazmi's role as a Global Advocate has greatly empowered her to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within her community and beyond. With the support of the Global Schools program, she has gained the confidence to effectively raise awareness about ESD, emphasizing its critical importance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among educators and learners alike.
Batool actively utilizes social media platforms to share information about ESD, engaging with schools and her colleagues to highlight ESD's contributions to sustainable development. She regularly updates her mentors about her initiatives, ensuring transparency in her efforts to further promote ESD.
Her commitment to fostering ESD includes designing comprehensive lesson plans and engaging with diverse educational institutions, including non-profit schools. Representing SDG Goal 16—Peace—on international platforms like IWPG, she effectively communicates the importance of peace and sustainability, serving as a representative from Karachi, Pakistan.
In addition, Batool shares her accomplishments and experiences on social media, recognizing the efforts of other advocates and staying informed about the latest developments in ESD, including trends discussed in the Age of Globalization. She collaborates with peers to exchange innovative ideas for lesson plans and educational practices.
Batool has also launched a course on Pedagog titled "Embrace the Power of Inclusion," focusing on SDG Goal 4—Quality Education. This initiative reflects her dedication to fostering inclusive educational environments that cater to diverse learning needs.
She engages in constructive discussions with school leadership to promote the mission of ESD and the Global Schools Program, emphasizing the urgency and importance of action. Her awareness campaigns inform students about ESD competencies and the integral role they play in developing a sustainable future. She also appreciates the hard work of teachers and students, nurturing a community of ESD advocates.
Through these diverse initiatives, Batool Kazmi not only spreads awareness of ESD but also inspires a cultural shift toward sustainable practices and critical thinking in education, equipping individuals with the competencies needed to contribute to a more sustainable world.
As a senior management team member in a boys’ secondary school in Hong Kong and a Global Schools Advocate, Amanda Ka Yun Ng is excited to lead sustainability initiatives at St. Paul’s College.
The college’s latest strategic plan includes hardware upgrades, like smart recycling bins, and software enhancements integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across the curriculum. Joint-school teacher development events foster collaboration and innovation, enriching educational approaches.
By bringing together educators from diverse backgrounds, Amanda and her college ensure comprehensive sustainability education, encouraging creativity in teaching practices and nurturing environmentally conscious global citizens.
Amanda is also honored to serve as a Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (HKSKH) School Ambassador for environmental education, emphasizing global stewardship and interconnectedness. Her role aligns with implementing ESD at a Christian institution, showcasing initiatives that promote sustainability and social responsibility.
She has collaborated with Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden (KFBG) to raise biodiversity awareness through engaging school talks and hands-on projects. By igniting conservation passion in students, she paves the way for impactful learning experiences. Join her in making a difference for our planet through green initiatives and educational partnerships in your community.
Kauthar Mohamed is a dedicated Global Schools Advocate for Mission 4.7, passionately committed to driving change in the education sector.
Through her role, Kauthar actively promotes integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) into schools.
By focusing on leadership and service learning, she empowers students and educators to become agents of change, working toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Her advocacy is rooted in the belief that education is the most powerful tool for achieving global progress and resilience.
As the Director of Sustainability at Colegio Rochester and a Global Advocate, Jorge Humberto Quintero leads sustainable initiatives aligned with global goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A significant part of Jorge’s work involves tree-planting activities, making a meaningful impact on both the environment and the school community. Since 2019, they have planted over 15,700 trees as part of the "Siembra Árboles, Siembra Vida" program, involving students, parents, and staff in hands-on actions supporting climate action (SDG 13) and life on land (SDG 15). These activities not only help restore ecosystems but also provide powerful educational experiences, teaching students about environmental stewardship and their role in building a sustainable future.
Reflecting on her journey as a Global Schools Advocate, Sadia Ghazal is struck by the profound impact it has had on her perspective and practice.
Over the past month, Sadia has empowered students, educators, and communities to embrace the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sadia’s school’s Green Wave initiative, aligned with SDGs 2, 13, and 15, has been a highlight. Witnessing students design innovative solutions to reduce waste and promote sustainability has instilled hope for a brighter future. Integrating SDGs into the curriculum fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Their educational consultancy has also supported rural schools in Goth Maachi, enhancing teacher capacity, improving student outcomes, and promoting sustainable practices. Working closely with local educators to bridge the educational access gap in marginalized communities has been particularly rewarding.
Through this experience, Sadia has gained valuable insights: grassroots initiatives drive meaningful change, collaboration amplifies impact, and empowering students as change-makers is crucial.
Sadia is committed to scaling SDG integration and mentoring educators to inspire youth-led initiatives.
Initially, Priyanka applied for the Global Schools Advocate program without a deep understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
However, the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) training opened her eyes to the importance of these goals. Inspired by the program, she assumed a leadership role in promoting sustainable development among her students.
Priyanka actively integrated SDGs into her classroom curriculum, specifically in math and Unit of Inquiry. She also implemented various school-wide activities to engage students with sustainability further.
As an Advocate, her goal is to help her students become active participants in achieving the SDGs, recognizing them as essential for the future. Additionally, she hopes her work inspires others in her community to contribute to a more sustainable world.
Sümeyye Kübra Dağlı is a science teacher in Kilis conducting her doctoral thesis on Artificial Intelligence Policies in Education at Hacettepe University and a final-year student in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Istanbul University.
As an advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Global Schools Program, Sümeyye has been actively involved in various initiatives to enhance students' awareness of artificial intelligence, children's rights, and sustainable development.
1. Podcast on AI and Children's Rights: Sümeyye created a podcast using Google Notebook LM to introduce students to artificial intelligence and raise awareness about children's rights.
2. Healthy Recipes Competition: She organized a “Healthy Recipes Competition” in the school garden, where students shared recipes in English, fostering language skills and healthy eating, aligned with SDGs 3, 4, and 10.
3. Mobile Library Collaboration: Partnering with Kilis Province Public Library, she introduced a mobile library that provides access to books and supports sustainability education through VR, contributing to SDGs 4, 10, 17, and 9.
4. Global Goals Week Toolkit: She introduced the 2024 toolkit, developed with UNESCO and UNICEF, to help students develop sustainability competencies.
5. Space Pollution Awareness: Students created solar system models with recycled materials, promoting recycling and environmental consciousness (SDGs 12 and 15).
6. Plant Planting Activity: Sümeyye led a plant-planting activity with Syrian and Turkish students, discussing the importance of plants (SDGs 3, 4, 11, and 15).
7. Breaktime Reading for Pleasure: She introduced reading sessions during recess to promote sustainability and health (SDGs 3, 10, 11, and 17).
8. Global Schools Project Workshop: She conducted a workshop to set SDG goals for the school, encouraging collaboration.
9. Girls Speak Up Project: As part of the “Girls Speak Up” project, Sümeyye organized meaningful activities with students and teachers from different regions, even outside of regular school hours.
Congratulations to our October Advocates of the Month!
Interested in being a Global Schools Advocate? Application for the 2025 Global Schools Advocates Program is open, read more here.
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