About the future of ecological education during PRECOP 28 in Katowice
The future of the planet depends on climate education, we must start educating today - this was the message that ended the round table debate during PRECOP 28 in Katowice. On October 6, representatives of entities from all over Poland met at the International Congress Centre to discuss climate education. The meeting was also attended by His Magnificence Rector of the Silesian University of Technology - prof. dr Eng Arkadiusz Mężyk.
PRECOP 28 took place on October 5-6, 2023, in Katowice. This was a two-day conference preparing for the Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates (COP 28). Discussions and debates during this event were aimed at developing a common position of various communities on the most important topics discussed during the annual Climate Summits. The event was attended by scientists and climate activists, but also high representatives of UN and European Union agencies, ambassadors and politicians.
During this year's edition, one of the topics discussed was climate education. The panellists assessed how Polish society is currently learning how to deal with the climate crisis and proposed what should change in this matter.
The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology – prof. dr Eng Arkadiusz Mężyk took part in the discussion:
- We have a lot to say about the climate. The Silesian University of Technology is at the forefront in this area, we rank 3rd in Poland when it comes to the number of scientific publications in the area of climate change. In addition, we are a member of the EURECA PRO consortium of European universities, which is aimed at implementing the 12th goal of sustainable development, i.e. responsible consumption and production - said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology after the debate and emphasized that the role of the university is to educate in a broader scope.
- The university is a whole system. Students, scientific and non-scientific workers, families of all these people, so a huge group of people through whom we can influence the rest of society. By educating here, at the Silesian University of Technology, by incorporating knowledge about climate change into the education programs, we are able to influence a large group of people - explained Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk.
The result of this debate is the development of recommendations on how to conduct climate education in Poland, starting with parents of small children, teachers and corporate employees. Activists from the Youth Climate Strike, representatives of corporations, other educational institutions and foundations working for climate protection also took part in the discussion.
PRECOP 28 took place in Katowice for the second time.
