Climate Crisis: does Citizenship education hold the key?

Are your students passionate about the environment and sustainability? Do you want to harness this passion to develop their knowledge of democracy, lawmaking and an understanding of how Bills pass through Parliament? 

This conference takes place at a time when many are calling for governments around the world to take action to address the issues of climate change, global warming and the need to build more sustainable economies and ways of life.

Citizenship education teaches young people about the most effective ways to influence government and those with power to make changes and shape their future. Environmental issues are at the forefront of students' minds so Citizenship is a compelling tool to harness their engagement and help them understand the power of agency.

During this 3 day conference, we will explore the role of teachers and schools in addressing these issues through Citizenship education. Participants will hear from Lord Knight about his Education Bill on sustainable citizenship (which aims to introduce compulsory climate change education within Citizenship) and how to use this as a case study to teach pupils about parliamentary democracy and the processes of lawmaking.

Why attend?

• Learn how to empower pupils to take positive actions on environmental issues.
• Build knowledge about the role of the citizenship curriculum in teaching about the environment and sustainability.
• Listen to the proposed changes to Citizenship education and the arguments for going beyond the current curriculum.
• Develop your understanding of parliamentary democracy and the lawmaking process including how to influence government decisions through an in-depth look at a current Bill.

What to expect:

This is a 3-day conference, and each session running from 4:00 - 5:15 PM (GMT).

• Wednesday, 3 November: The lawmaking process, sustainability and citizenship education.
• Thursday, 4 November: Debating a Bill in Parliament and the classroom.
• Friday, 5 November: Influencing lawmakers and active citizenship.

                               View the draft programme here

Event Fees:

This conference is hosted by ACT and UK Parliament's Education and Engagement team. It is free to attend.

Who should attend:

• All teachers with an interest in Citizenship, Law, Politics, Geography, Sociology and sustainability education
  • Links to national curriculum; parliamentary democracy, processes to influence decisions, laws to deal with complex problems and active citizenship projects
• Senior leaders and education change makers
• GCSE network
  • Links to making and shaping law, citizen participation, and global issues
• Early Career teachers/ New to Citizenship teachers
  • Early Careers Framework Standard 3 and 4.

Photo credit: Markus Spiske