Reflections on Ethics, Education, and the Earth Charter with Akpezi Ogbuigwe
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Listen to this episode: Duration: 52 min.
Quick Overview
In this podcast episode, Akpezi Ogbuigwe reflects on her experience in the context of Nigeria and as the head of education at UNEP and shares her views on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and its connection to environmental education, climate change education, and broader education for change. She explains that environmental education focuses on managing and improving the relationship between human society and the environment, emphasizing problem-solving skills. Akpezi also discusses the link between environmental education and ethics in educational settings, offering insights into the publication project she contributed to, called Environmental Education, Ethics, and Action: A Workbook to Get Started. She highlights the idea that “ethical awareness leads to practical action.” Toward the end of the conversation, Akpezi offers valuable perspectives on the Earth Charter, discussing its role in expanding “Planetary Consciousness,” fostering “the Ethics of Care,” and promoting “Intergenerational Justice.”
Questions and Topics Addressed in this Episode
- What is the role of UNESCO and UN agencies in setting up education-for-change agendas, such as Education for Sustainable Development, Climate Change Education, and others?
- What is your perspective on the gap between international education agendas and their practical implementation?
- How do you understand the relationship between ESD, Climate Change Education, Education for Responsible Consumption, and Environmental Education?
- Can you comment on the publication Environmental Education, Ethics, and Action: A Workbook to Get Started?
- How do you see the link between environmental education and bringing ethics in educational settings?
- What are your thoughts on the role the Earth Charter can play in fostering “Planetary Consciousness,” the Ethics of Care, and Intergenerational Justice?
- Can you share some examples of efforts in this field from Nigeria?
Akpezi Ogbuigwe
Reflections on Ethics, Education, and the Earth Charter
Who is Akpezi Ogbuigwe?
Akpezi Ogbuigwe (Nigeria, Lagos) is Chair of the Earth Charter International Council and founder of Anpez Centre for Environment and Development (ACFED). She is the promoter of The Star Advantage Network founded to mobilise and proliferate change actions to keep HOPE (Help One Person Everyday) alive and lighten up our world in every dimension. She currently serves as UNU-RCE’s Regional Adviser for the region of Africa, where she facilitates cooperation and partnerships for sustainable development from local to global and vice versa.
Dr. Ogbuigwe served as the Head of Environmental Education and Training at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP 2002 – 2014). With over thirty years of professional experience as a law professor and avid researcher in transformative change in higher education in Africa, environmental law and policy, and sustainable development and education or sustainable development, she facilitates university partnerships and actively engages in civil society participation and has contributed to various articles published in international journals and book chapters.
This podcast is developed by Earth Charter International as part of our work as UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Development with the Earth Charter.
