UNESCO - LSF Conference: Inspiring Sustainable Actions for Earth

Four College Churchill High School students and their teacher, Chantelle Cotton, attended the 2024 UNESCO Schools Network National Conference in Toronto on April 9 to 11.

This special event, held in partnership with Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) and The Canadian Commission for UNESCO, was about making our world better! 

Over two days, the students explored different themes, such as Water for the World, Student-Led Solutions with the Centre for Global Education, Garden Biodiversity, Responsibility and Actions: Indigenous Perspectives, and more.

Brooklyn Laurel found the Travel4climate workshop significantly impactful. She said, “The workshop taught us about the lethal consequences of overusing greenhouse gas-generating vehicles and their role in climate change. The organizers gave a thoughtful presentation about using solar-powered appliances and electric vehicles in Canada. They showed us how youth voices and capabilities can make a change in our communities.”

After clearly illustrating how urgent transportation needs improvement, students discussed solutions to problems in their provinces. Brooklyn set the goal of encouraging the community to use more bikes by strengthening bike security. 

Grade 12 student Lola Ruiz Cataneda was inspired by ‘The Cost of Fast Fashion.’ 

“I learned a lot from a fourth-year student at York University about the harmful effects of fast fashion and ways to reduce its impact, like thrifting, repeating outfits, swapping clothes with friends, and buying clothes to wear at least 20 times. It made me realize the importance of being mindful about fashion choices while expressing our identities,” said Lola.

Kaleigh Henderson, who attended an Indigenous workshop, "Stories from the 13 Moon," said, "Through storytelling and drawings, we discovered the power of Indigenous medicines, specifically tobacco. We also heard about the wisdom of the eagle, teaching us to find hope in tough times and discussed the One Dish with a Spoon Treaty, where sharing was the key."

Kaleigh added, "This workshop had enough stories to last an entire year of living in a good way."    

The second and third days consisted of back-to-back workshops for students. The UNESCO Youth Advisory ambassadors presented inspiring stories from their lives while helping other student attendees fill out the ‘Sustainable Development Action Plan’ Workbooks. 

Zahara Czar was humbled to be one of the speakers for this session. “Coming from College Churchill, a school that takes its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation very seriously, I felt it was important to talk about the real meaning of Reconciliation.” I asked other students, “How can we make our Land Acknowledgments ACTUALLY meaningful?” informed Zahara.  

“In today's Canada, Land Acknowledgments are a part of everyday life. Zahara emphasized the importance of following up our words with actions while sharing some actions that her school has taken and some more actions she hopes to take soon. Being able to address a UNESCO conference felt like a dream come true, and my voice being heard was empowering”.

While students were immersed in workshops, teachers delved into Resources for ReThinking from LSF and integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in their classrooms.

Chantelle Cotton, the sustainability educator at College Churchill, said, "We learned from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO about climate change's urgency and its impact on mental health. At the conference, over 75 educators crafted lesson plans using the 17 SDGs across all curriculums." 

"This session was very important because it planted seeds on what we can do in Winnipeg at all our learning spaces, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Fort Whyte Alive, Winnipeg Art Gallery and more."

The team returned to Winnipeg with a strong feeling and was ready to make more changes while celebrating Earth Day and Earth Week at Churchill High School. The Earth Week activities and lessons planned for the upcoming days are as follows: On Monday, there will be an event focused on the history of Earth Day and a message to Earth. Tuesday will be dedicated to encouraging active transportation. Wednesday will be all about creating messages through art. On Thursday, there will be a special event featuring goats in the courtyard. Finally, Friday will be dedicated to fighting fast fashion, and students will be involved in a community clean-up effort.

Churchill High School students have suggested the below actions to make a difference on Earth Day and every day:

1. Use Active Transportation and Public Transportation as much as possible. 
2. Plant a garden that supports bees and other pollinators.
3. Share clothes with your friends.  Need a new outfit for an event? Don’t buy, ask a friend!
4. Bring your own water bottles and coffee cups wherever you go. 
5. Always think of the last person who’s getting the resource. (Take only what you need.)
6. Save water by mindfully using the tap, closing the tap as you’re brushing, taking short showers, etc.
7. When saving the earth, make sure to take care of yourself as well. Self-care is important. #eco-anxiety 

- Inputs from Chantelle Cotton, Brooklyn Laurel, Lola Ruiz Castaneda, Kaleigh Henderson & Zahara Czar (all grade 12 UNESCO students)