Sustainable Food Systems and Global Education:

Priorities for Cyprus teachers in addressing global food issues at school & pilot application of Global Learning Units

Milano, 17 October 2015

Presentation by:Dimitra Chatzistavrou-Chrysostomou

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE WORKSHOPFOR TEACHERS

CONTRIBUTIONS

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Andreou GiorgoulaMakedonitissa 2nd Elementary School

Chatzistavrou-Chrysostomou DimitraAgios Athanasios 2nd Elementary School

Constantinou-Shiambi PraxoulaMakedonitissa 1st Elementary School

Economidou OlgaLinopetra Elementary School

Papaevripides NicolaosAgios Ioannis of Nicosia Elementary School

Overview

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Educational priorities on global food issues at school

Actions & Certain activities (a selection) Main Challenges Pilot Application of a Learning Unit

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES

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Creation of school gardens:

from planting to consuming vegetables

1. Take care of myself, the others, the environment: realise the close relation between humans and nature

Makedonitissa 2nd Elementary School (Class: 3B)

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES

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Visit to smallholder farms and organic farms

Awareness-raising educational programs, e.g. "Olive, the treasure of the earth”

Invitation of stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture & workshop for halloumi production

2. Familiarize with local agriculture and local products and stress the importance of preferring them over imported ones.

Linopetra Elementary School (Class: 4A)

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES

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Fruit time: Daily fruit consumption by students and teachers

Healthy Breakfast Day: consumption of healthy local products from the school garden

3. Rational consumption and healthy eating habits

Makedonitissa 1st Elementary School (Class: 6B)

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES

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Targeted lessons in curricula, e.g. Life Education

Green Day or Action Day: events, interactive presentations and activities, in some cases with the active involvement of the parents’ associations

Local initiatives in cooperation with the municipalities

4. Foster knowledge in sustainable development, agriculture, alternative food systems and global development.

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES

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Initiative against food waste: Weight of food in rubbish bins & measures to reduce it

Waste management programs, e.g. paper, cooking oil, printer inks, batteries

Organic composting bins: the fertilizer to be used for the school garden (extension of initiative at community level)

4. Cultivate attitudes to reduce food waste

Agios Athanasios 2nd Elementary School

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES

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Bring students in contact with people exercising agriculture-related professions

4. Reverse the negative perception of children regarding the agriculture and farming professions

Agios Ioannis of Nicosia Elementary School

MAIN CHALLENGES

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Involve students in sustainabledevelopment discussion

Engage in issues such as foodsecurity, smallholder agriculture,rational consumption and change attitudes

Realize the interconnections and relevance to the well-being of societies at local and global level.

Limited time and learning units as part of curricula

EXAMPLE OF A LEARNING UNIT

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Subject:Introduction to food

School:Agios Athanasios 2nd

Elementary School

Class: 6th grade(11-12 years old)

EXAMPLE OF A LEARNING UNIT

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Objectives of Learning Unit:

Define what is food and provide examples

Indicate the key elements needed for the animals and plants to survive and grow

Explain the role of smallholder farming in food production as a key factor to sustainable development

Identify the importance of various substances used aimed at increasing the production in agriculture and livestock farming and assess the effects on human health and the environment.

EXAMPLE OF A LEARNING UNIT

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Learning Unit with teaching material & student worksheets

PowerPoint Presentation

Video

EXAMPLE OF A LEARNING UNIT

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Active participation of students

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Thank you for your attention!