Tag: UNESCO

Over 100,000 schools have aligned to UNESCO’s green school guidance

Stuart Mitchell

On Earth Day, celebrated on 22 April, UNESCO and partners highlight the growing global movement toward greener education systems. nearly 112,000 schools in 98 countries have become green schools and received the badge, as part of the Greening Education Partnership. These include 32,944 nursery schools, 54.292 primary schools, 17,138 secondary schools and 7,535 higher education establishments globally that have adopted UNESCO’s Green school quality standard, published in 2024.  The green school quality standard defines for the first time the minimum requirements for creating ‘green learning environments’ around four dimensions: governance,…

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Gender equality and inclusive water governance are key to sustainable development and climate resilience

Stuart Mitchell

UNESCO and Oxfam in Cambodia co-organized the launch on WWDR 2026 to present the key findings and recommendations of the World Water Development Report 2026 and promote dialogue on water challenges and opportunities in Cambodia.  The launching event was presided over by H.E. Ngin Lina, Secretary of State and Chair of Gender Working Group, Ministry of Environment; and joined by H.E. Dr. Hean Vanhan, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; H.E. Vann Monyneath, Under Secretary of State, MOE; Flavio Bonetti, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia; Mr. Reto Grüninger,…

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Community-Led Co-Creation Advances Sustainable Tourism in Eswatini’s Matsanjeni Cultural Landscape

Stuart Mitchell

Communities in Eswatini are taking the lead in shaping the future of sustainable tourism in the Matsanjeni Cultural Landscape, following a high-level national work planning session convened by UNESCO, the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC), and the National Commission for UNESCO (NatCom) from 25 to 26 March 2026. The two-day session brought together traditional leaders, government institutions, and cultural stakeholders to agree on concrete actions that will guide the development of culture and heritage-based tourism in Matsanjeni North Inkundla. Moving beyond dialogue to action, the session was designed as a…

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From ‘Water Terrorist’ to ‘Nobel Prize of Water’: Exiled UN Scientist Named 2026 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate

Stuart Mitchell

In a special ceremony at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to mark World Water Day, Professor Kaveh Madani of Iran, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), was named the 2026 Stockholm Water Prize recipient, to be officially presented by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in August 2026, during World Water Week in Stockholm. The Stockholm Water Prize is the ultimate global recognition for extraordinary achievements in water-related activities. Often described as the “Nobel Prize of Water,” it is the most prestigious…

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Global water crisis aggravated by gender inequalities according to new UN Report

Stuart Mitchell

Despite decades of progress, inequalities continue to compromise global water security, disproportionally impacting women and girls, who despite of being the main collectors of water, continue to be excluded from water management and leadership roles. This is the conclusion of the United Nations World Water Development Report, published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water. The report reveals that women are responsible for collecting water in over 70% of unserved rural households. Ensuring women’s participation in water management and governance is a key driver for progress and sustainable development. We must…

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