UNICEF "Youth for Climate Action" program launched in Armenia

ArmInfo.On February 25, the UNICEF Youth for Climate Action was launched in Armenia, funded by the Austrian Development Agency in cooperation with the ministries of education, science, culture and sports, the environment,  territorial administration and infrastructure of the Republic of  Armenia. The program is designed for 2019-2022.  

UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia Shombi Sharp emphasized the importance of  government participation in the implementation of the program and  highlighted the need to develop innovative solutions with partners to  address climate change issues, which is one of the goals of  sustainable development.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the  Republic of Armenia Artur Martirosyan, welcoming the participants,  noted that one of the main issues at the stage of revising state  standards and the strategy of general education is to educate the  generation with the ability to mitigate the risks associated with  climate change. "Since this large-scale program covers about a third  of schools, and the children have to implement the programs  themselves as participants, this already means that they will acquire  the skills of working together and developing programs, which is also  a priority in the general education system. We look forward to an  interested partnership", the deputy minister said.

Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Irina Kaplanyan noted that  climate change is already noticeable in Armenia, and water is  becoming an increasingly important resource every year. "This year we  will implement a very ambitious program. 10 million trees will be  planted, and it is important that young people join this initiative,  "she said.

Within the framework of the project, UNICEF will work with 52 large  communities of Armenia to educate 28 thousand young men and women on  climate change issues, working with 2470 teachers and school  administrators to improve school curricula. The participation of 530  territorial authorities is planned.