All public and private schools in Southeast Asia are invited to submit entries for the 2020 Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)-Japan Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Award with the theme 'Addressing Plastic Problems for Transforming Communities.'
This was highlighted in a press statement from Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
All schools in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam are invited to submit information on their respective programmes and activities, particularly on their programme/initiative related to plastic waste management practices.
SEAMEO and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd established the SEAMEO-Japan ESD Award in support of the 'United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.'
Now in its ninth year, the award aims to raise and promote positive human values among both teachers and students, and share best practices in ESD in schools across Southeast Asia.
This year's SEAMEO-Japan ESD theme is aligned with SEARCA's goal to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production as set in its 11th Five-Year Plan (2020-2025). Headed by Dr Glenn B Gregorio, SEARCA is intent on "Accelerating Transformation Through Agricultural Innovation (ATTAIN)" in the next five years.
They must indicate how the said initiative transformed the community and provide impactful evidence in reducing the plastic usage, improving the plastic waste management system, and cleaning the ecosystem of the community.
SEAMEO said entries should demonstrate the community engagement with multisectoral partners that create mutual beneficial partnerships, deepen student learning experiences, support student growth, and sustain the society.
"The school should clearly demonstrate the integration of the school initiative in all schools' aspects such as school policy, management plan, curriculum, teaching and learning practices, co-curricular and student activities, partnership efforts, community participation, and so on," SEAMEO added.
The first prize for the winning school includes USD1,500 and a fully sponsored study tour to Japan for four to six persons. Participating schools must ensure their entries are received by the SEAMEO Secretariat in Bangkok, Thailand by August 14, 2020.
