Labour minister in London for climate education forum

MINISTER of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Samheng attended a UK conference on green skills training which aims to address global climate change, he announced on May 9.

The 19th World Education Forum, held in London, was attended by ministers from the UK and several other nations.

“Discussions between Cambodia and international partner nations focused on education and training skills to address climate change, a major global issue that Cambodia and the rest of the world are concerned about,” said Samheng.

Diana Barran, parliamentary undersecretary of state at the UK’s Department for Education, said that during the discussions, she also shared experiences, policies and strategic plans, and challenges and solutions related to education and skills to achieve a green education for all.

She pledged to seek cooperation with other countries, including Cambodia, to push for support for education and training skills programmes that respond more effectively to global climate change and green education.

According to the labour ministry, the forum focused on mainstreaming four main concepts.

The first point is to encourage educational institutions and vocational training schools to increase energy savings and reduce climate-sensitive materials. It also encouraged the development and practice of curricula that response to climate change as well preventing or reducing its impact.

The third focus was on encouraging teachers to strengthen and expand educational programmes that protect the environment and promote “green” thinking among students. Finally, it explored ways to encourage individual communities to consider the environment by reducing and preventing pollution.