GSP APRIL ADVOCATES OF THE MONTH.

Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer.

Every month, the Global Schools Program shines a spotlight on outstanding advocates driving change in their communities. These educators go above and beyond to integrate sustainable development into education, inspiring the next generation of global citizens. For the month of April, we are proud to recognize 8 advocates whose stories remind us of the power of dedication and local action. 

Meet Shivangi Sharma, a passionate Global Schools Advocate, IB PYP Learning Leader, and Apple Distinguished Educator. Shivangi isn’t just teaching, she’s shaping young minds to think globally and act responsibly. Through her role, she works closely with Primary Years Programme (PYP) students, helping them connect their learning to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in ways that are meaningful and lasting.

What makes Shivangi’s work stand out is her willingness to share. She’s always offering creative resources, digital tools, and practical strategies that help fellow educators bring global perspectives into their classrooms. Thanks to her efforts, more teachers are empowered to show their students why the SDGs matter, and how they can make a difference.

One powerful example of her impact came during the PYP Exhibition. Working hand-in-hand with students, mentors, and other educators, Shivangi guided the integration of the SDGs into students’ inquiries under the theme Sharing the Planet. The result? An inspiring showcase where students tackled real-world issues and offered thoughtful, actionable solutions.

Through her leadership, Shivangi is lighting the path for a generation of learners who don’t just understand the world but are ready to change it.

Farwa Naeem is the kind of educator who turns ideas into action. As a passionate Global Schools Advocate, she has consistently shown what it means to bring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life in the classroom and beyond.

Working directly with students, Farwa has led powerful initiatives that connect learning to the real world. From student-led awareness campaigns on deforestation and climate action to hands-on community projects like plantation drives, she helps learners move from understanding problems to being part of the solution. Whether it's guiding students in creating skits or leading interdisciplinary projects across subjects like arts, literature, and social studies, Farwa encourages young minds to think critically, creatively, and compassionately.

Her collaborations with fellow educators, in subjects like Mathematics, Design, and Visual Arts, have resulted in integrated lessons that foster inquiry, empathy, and real action around the SDGs. During orientation programs and service-learning events, her leadership has inspired students to take charge of their learning and become changemakers in their communities.

Farwa also champions inclusion and student wellbeing. She works closely with learners who have special educational needs, making sure every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to engage in global conversations. At the heart of her work is a belief that education can, and should, be a force for sustainable development, equity, and peace.

Anna Louisa John is a passionate educator with a heart for service and empowering students through real-world learning. Her commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) shines through in the impactful initiatives she leads at Sekolah Bina Persada in Bandung, Indonesia.

One of Anna’s most meaningful contributions was the launch of a school-wide SDG drive, including a vibrant Garage Sale focused on SDG 1: No Poverty. Through this event, students, teachers, and parents came together to donate items, which were then shared with children from local orphanages, reminding everyone involved of the power of collective action and compassion.

Anna also led a food donation drive in collaboration with the Student Council, highlighting SDG 2: Zero Hunger. The initiative provided basic food items to school support staff, drivers, cleaners, and security officers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes. It was not just about giving; it was about showing gratitude and recognizing the unsung heroes of the school community.

With every campaign, Anna brings purpose and empathy into her students’ learning experiences. She continues to look ahead with excitement, planning more hands-on SDG projects that connect students with their community and nurture their growth as thoughtful, socially conscious citizens.

Jo Au Lok Yee distinguished herself as a Global Schools Advocate by demonstrating exceptional leadership in transforming her school into a hub for ESD and SDG integration. Her approach went beyond simply teaching about sustainability; she engineered a paradigm shift in how students engage with global challenges and their role in addressing them.

Her methodology centered on innovatively fusing SDG and ESD principles with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP), transforming units of inquiry to cultivate social equity, inclusion, empathy, and environmental stewardship. 

Drawing on her own experiences overcoming poverty and working with students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, including rural and underserved communities, she aims to instill in her current students a sense of gratitude and awareness of their privileges. This involved designing action-oriented classroom learning experiences and excursions that cultivated research, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, empowering students to engage deeply with global challenges.

Jo's impact extended to her orchestration of a school-wide Primary Assembly for over 100 students, a carefully curated, student-driven event to showcase their learning and advocate for social change. By crafting fashion from recycled materials and performing sustainability-themed presentations, students embodied the principles of the circular economy and responsible consumption. Jo strategically aligned these activities with SDGs 4, 11, 12, 13, and 15. This initiative served as a powerful demonstration of student agency, creative expression, and interdisciplinary learning, seamlessly weaving together art, performance, and environmental science.

Overall, her work exemplifies a commitment to empowering students as active global citizens and driving systemic change within her educational environment. Her approach demonstrates a replicable model for fostering transformative education and cultivating a deep understanding of how local actions contribute to global sustainability.

Merve Selen Erkan carries out various initiatives at the school under the Global Schools Program, focusing on activities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She tracks all SDG- and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)-related projects in the middle school and compiles them in a shared Google Drive for organized documentation and follow-up.

At TED Bodrum College Middle School, English language students participated in the Oxford Big Read competition by creating movie posters that linked the themes of their chosen books to relevant SDGs. The school contributed nine projects to the competition.

Students who took part in the Century ChangeMakers competition also designed applications within the SDG framework. One of their projects, an app titled Zero Waste Shopping, received an award in the Most Impactful category, one of the seven categories in the international competition.

Additionally, a Global Schools Team will soon be established at the school to lead awareness-raising activities related to the SDGs.

As part of the TEDx Youth initiative, 26 middle school students gave presentations on stage, addressing a variety of SDG-related topics.

Within the Eco-Schools Program, 7th-grade students watched the documentary Breaking Boundaries and completed class discussions and projects connected to the SDGs.

As a Global Schools Advocate, Mmathoto Elizabeth Motloung champions the integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into classrooms and school communities. Through workshops, lesson planning, and student-led initiatives, she empowers young learners to become active global citizens. Her work bridges education with sustainability, fostering awareness, action, and lasting impact.

Baia Bolkvadze is one of the advocates from Georgia in the 6th cohort of the Global Schools Program. She is a civic education teacher whose mission as an advocate is to contribute to the effective teaching of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to promote sustainable development within her community.

Her favorite quote is: “If you dare to teach, never stop learning.” Guided by this belief, Baia constantly seeks new knowledge and experiences and shares them with the wider school community to support access to quality education and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Baia’s work stands out for her creative approach, diversity of activities, and commitment to exploring and implementing innovative teaching methods. She actively collaborates with her colleagues to promote the integration of the SDGs into teaching practices. Through diverse methods and engaging learning activities, she strives to help students understand the importance of the SDGs and realize their own role in contributing to a sustainable world.

Baia strongly believes that every advocate can be a source of positive change and play a key role in creating a healthy, safe, and sustainable environment for all.

Since his onboarding as a Global Schools Advocate in March 2025, Erhovwo Itse Barry Josiah has actively promoted Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within his school community at Whitesands School, Lagos. His efforts have been met with support from students, parents, colleagues, and the school's management.

One of his flagship initiatives, From Trash to Cash, promotes environmental responsibility by encouraging students to collect plastic waste, which is then donated to individuals who earn a living by selling plastic bottles to local recyclers. The project has cultivated a culture of empathy, compassion, waste management, and sustainability among students, evolving from a classroom idea into a school-wide campaign supported by student leaders and school administrators.

Barry also began a collaborative project with the school's art teacher, titled From Waste to Wealth. This initiative engages students in creating an abstract art piece using over 4,000 collected bottle caps. This is then used to make an abstract musician holding musical instruments representing Nigeria's three major ethnic groups. The artwork will be unveiled at the school's annual Art Exhibition, highlighting the intersection of culture, creativity, unity, and sustainability.

In the field of technology and environmental conservation, Barry leads the Robotics Club's project, A Greener Whitesands. His students developed a working prototype of a smart irrigation system designed to automate watering across the school grounds. The project, being executed in phases, demonstrates problem-solving and project-based learning. A sample of the prototype is scheduled for showcase during the school's first-ever Robotics Exhibition.

Internationally, Barry is collaborating with fellow advocates May Sotomayor from the Philippines and Jaime Dugan from the USA on a virtual student-led discussion on climate action and waste management. This cross-cultural engagement aims to foster global citizenship and joint student projects.

Through these projects, Barry effectively integrates the Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework of Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He drives this integration through the dynamic lens of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). He finds deep personal fulfillment in uniting his passions for both art and science. His advocacy journey is marked by innovation, meaningful collaboration, and transformative learning experiences.

Congratulations to all the Advocates! Their outstanding initiatives are a testament to the pivotal role educators play in achieving the SDGs.