From Advocate to Changemaker: My Journey Beyond the Global Schools Program

Written by Garima Sigh, Global Schools Advocate

When I think back to the moment I first became a Global Schools Program (GSP) Advocate, I remember the excitement of stepping into a world full of ideas, collaboration, and the possibility of making a real difference. What started as a single opportunity soon became a lifelong journey, shaping my career as well as my mission as an educator committed to sustainable development.

Evolving Mission

The GSP experience ignited a passion for creating meaningful impact in education, particularly in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness among young learners. My journey with GSP began in 2021 while I was working in the UAE, where my team achieved multiple accolades, including a 4th-place worldwide finish in Codmentum, recognition through the My Hero Awards, and student-led initiatives such as Simply Bottles (a plastic recycling project) and Design Your Own Device (DYOD). We were also honoured with the Best Sustainability Award in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and celebrated for innovation in Formula Ethara, where students applied engineering principles and sustainability ideas to design their own race cars.

In 2024, I relocated to Ahmedabad, India, to join Anand Niketan Shilaj Campus. Since then, we have fully fused the SDGs into every facet of our work such as curriculum design, lesson delivery, leadership programmes, and community initiatives. Today, I am proud that all educators at our campus deeply understand the SDGs and apply them purposefully in their teaching practices.

Impact Beyond the Program

Our STEM, AI, Robotics, and Computer Science Department leads with a guiding vision: “Infusing Sustainability with the Force of Technology.” This year, to further build student agency, we established a student-led Eco-Sustainability Council, empowering learners to take initiative, lead projects, and inspire peers through real-world action. We are also exploring Green Skills Education to equip our students with the competencies required for a just, sustainable, and inclusive future.

Our group of schools focuses on SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), and I am honoured to be a member of the SDG 7 Educators Committee, formed by GSP in partnership with Siemens Energy. In this role, I contribute to creating the official SDG 7 Educator Guide: Schools for Goal 7: A Guide on Renewable Energy and the Energy Transition. Our students continue this spirit of innovation, winning the Best Sustainability Award at national competitions, representing India at the international Codeavour 6.0, and advancing through WSRO regionals to nationals.

Lessons Learned & Applied

Perhaps the most valuable lesson GSP instilled in me was the power of collaboration and inclusive leadership. Sustainable change is never the result of a single individual but of collective action, empathy, and shared vision. I apply this daily, whether leading educators, collaborating with organisations, or mentoring students to initiate projects. The skills I gained through GSP, strategic planning, communication, and problem-solving, have been essential in turning ideas into tangible, impactful outcomes.

I was also humbled to be chosen as both Advocate of the Month and Mentor of the Month, recognitions that have deepened my commitment to supporting fellow educators and changemakers around the world. Reflecting on my journey, I realise that being a GSP Advocate was not the culmination of my efforts, it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to sustainability, education, and community development. Indeed, once an Advocate, always an Advocate.