“Empowering Iranian Youth: Green DADRAS Initiative Promotes Climate Literacy Among High School Students”
TEHRAN –Under a newly launched initiative, titled Green DADRAS, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Climate Change Secretariat aim to promote students’ climate literacy.
A total of 11,536 high school students, girls and boys aged 12 to 15 years, from across Iran will benefit from the educational program, the UNICEF website announced in a press release on August 22.
By raising awareness and promoting proactive measures, the IRCS and UNICEF aim to create a positive environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
The newly launched Green DADRAS Initiative, guided by the Climate Change Secretariat of the IRCS, has equipped 46 master trainers from the Youth Organization of the IRCS to lead educational sessions on climate change for these school students.
These dedicated trainers will train 824 provincial trainers across the country to finally empower over 11,000 high school students within DADRAS teams, focusing on critical topics such as drought and floods.
The initiative will enable these students to design and implement impactful climate change-related campaigns within their schools and communities.
Having received education on the importance of climate change, these young minds will then be equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to protect their environment.
Considering the significant impact of climate change in Iran, this initiative is considered a crucial step towards securing a better future for the next generation.
In addition to the Green DADRAS Initiative, other services have been organized by UNICEF in collaboration with various government entities in Iran.
The Vice Presidency (VP) for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-based Economy and UNICEF organized a training session for VP directors on child rights. The training session, held in the last week of May, aimed to provide insight into Results Based Management (RBM) and UNICEF’s Innovation Strategy.
A total of 18 VP directors and experts specialized in the fields of innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), knowledge-based economy, and cultural technologies attended the one-day training. The session covered topics such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and government sectoral accountabilities in developing national plans for child rights.
Furthermore, the ministry of education and UNICEF held a workshop for principals of Upper Secondary Boarding Schools from 10 provinces to boost their capacities in developing students’ skills essential for finding decent jobs. The workshop, held from April 27 to 30, aimed to provide school principals with the necessary knowledge and skills to support students in rural and remote regions in improving their self-assurance, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Overall, these initiatives highlight the collaborative efforts between UNICEF and various government entities in Iran to promote education, awareness, and skill development among students and educators, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.