Workshop Kick-Starts Global Network of Trainers for an Inclusive Green Economy

17 October 2016, Turin, Italy - “At first I thought learning about green fiscal reform would be really dry, but with the right training approach it can actually be a lot of fun!” Ms. Donna King-Braithwaite, Environmental Education Officer at the Ministry of Environment and Drainage in Barbados acknowledged. Donna was one of the participants of the Training of Trainers for a Transition to an Inclusive Green Economy which took place within the frame of the Global Green Economy Academy organized by the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) from 3 to 14 October 2016 in Turin, Italy.

The training brought together 10 selected learning practitioners from PAGE partner countries with the aim to deepen competencies in the area of adult learning and to develop substantive expertise in the area of green policies. The event marks the start of a new global network of trainers to support each other in the formulation and implementation of green economy learning actions.

During the ToT each trainer started working on their own learning projects that they will take forward at home. Mr. Satchuda Arnachellum, e-Learning System Project Manager at the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms of Mauritius has the plan to integrate green economy concepts in the Ministry’s online learning platform. “We have the potential to reach out to more than 80,000 learners!”, he highlighted. The certified PAGE trainers will also be engaged in delivering regional and global learning actions.

The training reflected the diversity of today’s instruction techniques with a strong emphasis on applied learning. In particular, the participants of the training were asked to co-deliver various working groups as part of the Academy’s fiscal elective using facilitation techniques such as role plays, peer-reviews, or even pitching a self-designed learning activity. Notably, pitching a project in two minutes proved to be unfamiliar territory even for some of the most seasoned trainers.

While familiarizing participants with a broad spectrum of teaching methods was one main objective, the team of trainers composed by specialists from UNITAR, UN Environment and Green Budget Europe, deliberately sought to create an atmosphere of togetherness among the group. “We are adding a new quality to training trainers by focusing not only on the latest instructional techniques but rather on creating a sense of community among practitioners. In the end, this is what keeps collaboration alive over time”, highlighted Mr. Giuliano Montanari from UNITAR.

At the conclusion of the training, participants were handed a certificate to formally recognize their commitment to the PAGE community of green economy trainers.

For further information please contact page@unitar.org.

Photo 1: Participants of the training of trainers.

Photo 2: Participants from China develop a concept for a green economy university course.

Photo 3: Working group notes including proposed fiscal instruments to reform the energy sector of the fictional country Maramba.

Photo 4: Group discussion on fiscal policy proposals to reform the transport sector.