Sustainable Development and Teacher Training
Jair Ruiz Flores is a teacher at the 'Normal School OFL', in Mexico.
Many issues arise throughout the world as a result of different
climate conditions. The excessive heat, the lack of w ter, the
overflow of waste materials and the weak local economy of
the inhabitants of Chiautla de Tapia, Puebla, Mexico. Professor
Luis Casarrubias Ibarra urges that, “actions that lead to a
guarantee of care for the environment,” are taken.
The Normal School is located in the south of the state of Puebla,
Mexico. The climate is dry and warm which makes staying inside
the classrooms unpleasant. Teachers and students therefore,
have participated in management projects and secured
an air conditioning system in all classrooms. This system
led to excessive consumption of electricity and a huge and
unsustainable expenditure for the institution. Currently, through
the management of projects with state and federal educational
authorities, resources have been obtained to acquire solar
cells, which replace the consumption of electric energy with
solar energy and have reduced spending by 95%. Likewise, a
rainwater collection system has been generated. Rainfall is now
stored in tanks that supply the needs of the institution, such as
water services to toilets, plant maintenance and cleaning.
The use of paper for different academic and administrative
activities has been minimized and it was decided to digitalise
existing paper records.
Disposable plates, spoons, glasses, straws, bags etc have been
replaced with reusable materials for food consumption in the
school.
All of the initiatives outlined are intended to generate
reflection on the part of the students (trainee teachers) to
care for the environment and to maximise social welfare.
Garbage collection, campaigns and recycling deposits
are being realised as a result of courses in the primary
education degree curriculum. This includes the projects
offered by the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE),
and in particular the initiatives of teachers in training.
As trainee teachers attending Normal School, come from
different areas, consciousness of the need to promote
sustainability is spreading and consequently so too is its
development.
Our Normal School is the first in Mexico that has the solar
cell system and is committed to taking care of the economy
and the environment. We know that much more needs
to be done. Lack of understanding, alongside the supply
of necessary resources, needs to be addressed to ensure
sustainable development impacts meaningfully on all
our lives.
The teachers in training throughout the country are the
army that can take programmes and projects of sustainable
development to the farthest corners. The joy, initiative and
enthusiasm of today’s young teachers working together means
that in the not too distant future they will undoubtedly stand
alongside future generations, coordinating campaigns that will
help to care for and sustain our planet.
From Engage issue 20.
JAIR RUIZ FLORES • November 3, 2021
The 2026 UNESCO UK ASPnet Seeds of Hope Competition Online Awards Ceremony took place on 30 September 2026 and was attended by over 70 participants, including young people, teachers, the Competition Judges and UNESCO Commission representatives. The ethos of the Competition was ‘ to recognise, value and celebrate the efforts of all young people who entered the Competition, and their contribution towards helping UNESCO realise many of its key objectives, especially with regard to sustainability and climate challenges’. 2026 is the second year that UNESCO UK has undertaken the Seeds of Hope for a Better Future Competition. The Competition featured 50 projects, involving 13 countries across six continents, and representing 67 educational institutions from all sectors (early years, primary, secondary and tertiary). Significantly, this was more than double the participation in the 2025 Competition, with thousands of young people taking part in, or being impacted . Eight winners from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Slovenia received Gold Certificates and shared the £5000 prize pot. Seven Kenyan Teacher Training College projects were also collectively recognised for projects that strongly support the sustainability and climate change objectives of UNESCO through ongoing work of local, regional, national and international importance, and received the 2026 UNESCO UK ASPnet Seeds of Hope Legacy Award .
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide. https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.
