NIGSD launches the “Green Minds” initiative in Fayoum Governorate schools

The National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD), the training arm of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, launched the “Green Minds Initiative” in Fayoum Governorate schools, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education.

Dr. Sherifa Sharif, Executive Director of the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (NIGSD), indicated that the launch of the “Green Minds Initiative” in Fayoum Governorate schools comes as a continuation of the preliminary phase of the initiative, which was launched during the previous year 2022-2023.

The total number of students benefited was 2,400 male and female students, including 1,385 from the primary stage and 1,015 from the preparatory stage, in addition to training 50 male and female primary school teachers on the principles and goals of sustainable development.

Sherifa explained that a plan had been developed to target primary, middle, and secondary school students in the age group from 6 to 18 years in four governorates: Cairo, Alexandria, Fayoum, and Ismailia.

Sherifa added that as part of the launch of the initiative in Fayoum Governorate, 800 male and female students from the primary stage were trained in Dr. Suleiman Dawoud School and Gamal Abdel Nasser School over two days for each school.

  Sherifa said that the training was directed using the methodology of learning through experience, experience, and practice, to spread awareness about the concept of sustainability, with the inclusion of several SDGs, such as Goal 2: Zero Hunger, SDG Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, along with SDG Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production, and SDG Goal 13: Climate action.

Sherifa explained that the initiative aims to enhance the sense of responsibility towards the land and the environment, armed with the slogan “I am the protector of the earth.”

  The initiative's vision also goes beyond simply spreading awareness and knowledge, as it seeks to change the behaviors of students, their families, and teachers, to create a society that encourages the adoption of a sustainable lifestyle that stems from their sense of responsibility toward society and the environment.

  Sherifa confirmed that after the pilot phase of the initiative and its lessons learned, the initiative’s methodology was developed, and its first phase will begin in the academic year 2023-2024.

The themes of the next phase include experiential learning activities in schools, teacher training, family camps, school competitions, and the electronic part.