UNESCO climate change education and youth voice
19 March 2026 - 19 March 2026
5:00–7:00 pm
Region(s): Wellington
Type(s): presentations
Come along to this New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO event focused on climate change education and youth voice.
This event will share outcomes from the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum which focused on the social impacts of climate change, making a clear call for climate change education and action. The aim is to create a space for reflection and connection through a panel discussion in response to global youth insights and how they can enrich local thinking on climate action in the context of consultations on the Draft Science Curriculum.
Venue: The National Library of New Zealand, 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington
Format: Presentations and discussion followed by light refreshments
Event Chair: Professor Gail Gillon, National Commissioner for Education
The 2025 Special Advisor Youth, Isaac Morunga, will share insights from the 14th UNESCO Global Youth Forum, where rangatahi from around the world explored the social impacts of climate change and issued a strong call for meaningful action.
Following Isaac’s reflections, our Education Commissioner Professor Gail Gillon will facilitate a panel discussion with:
Rachel Bolstad – New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER)
Andrea Soanes – Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
Kate Prendergast – Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
The panel will respond to themes such as:
'Action vs activity' in climate learning
Elevating rangatahi voices
Strengthening climate education in the Aotearoa New Zealand context
Approaches that build genuine action competence.
Secondary schools attendees are warmly encouraged to bring two or three senior students (Year 12/13) who are interested in climate action, science, global citizenship, or leadership.
Invited from both primary and secondary schools are:
Principals
Science leaders and teachers
Curriculum leaders
Kāhui Ako and senior leadership team members
This event is designed as a chance to connect with other principals, educators, and science leaders across Wellington, share ideas, and help shape the community of practice around climate education and youth voice.
RSVP: unesco.nz@education.govt.nz by Monday 16 March 2026.
Related content
We have lots of resources on the science of climate change – we recommend starting with Climate change resources – planning pathways. It groups Hub resources into key science and teaching concepts such as evidence and models and sea-level rise.
See our PLD webinar series:
These articles provide knowledge about tackling climate change in the classroom, science and controversy and action for climate change.
To view all of our climate change resources, visit the Climate change topic.
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