GSP OCTOBER ADVOCATES OF THE MONTH

Written by Abigail Chifusa, Global Schools Project Officer 

This October, the Global Schools Program proudly celebrates 6 Advocates from around the world who are changing classrooms into places of sustainability, empathy, and action. Through innovative teaching, community engagement, and curriculum integration, these advocates are proving that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a living practice shaping tomorrow’s generation of global leaders.

Meet our 6 Advocates of the Month for October.

As a Global Schools Advocate, Arsène Mabadjam Katawa has shown so much dedication to bringing sustainability into education. Through his advocacy, he champions the Global Schools Program, which equips educators with the tools and resources needed to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into their teaching practices.

Arsène actively promotes the program’s mission by leading teacher training workshops, building a supportive network of educators, and advocating for policies that strengthen sustainability education. His work empowers teachers and students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

Eva Maria is empowering young voices through a student-led newspaper that focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project encourages learners to research and write about global challenges, helping them develop both critical thinking and communication skills.

Beyond the newsroom, Eva Maria is working to incorporate the SDGs into her school’s curriculum by helping design a comprehensive framework that aligns teaching practices with sustainability. She has also successfully integrated the goals into her unit on human rights and child activism, promoting awareness and inspiring students to take real world action in defense of equality and justice.

As a Global Schools Advocate, Hiba Bayloun has led meaningful efforts to align her school’s Programme of Inquiry with the SDGs. Her work champions ESD  by creating a culture of awareness among teachers, parents, and students.

Hiba’s initiatives such as workshops and student projects empower learners to become compassionate, responsible global citizens who understand that their daily actions can create a more sustainable world. 

In September, Sana focused on planning initiatives to strengthen her school’s culture around SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as part of the school’s Agenda 2025, aligned with the global Agenda 2030.

She actively promoted ESD by guiding and supporting the integration of the SDGs into classroom teaching and the broader school environment. Her main emphasis remained on Goal number 3 (Good Health and Well-being), helping students and teachers connect their everyday choices to larger global responsibilities.

Through observation, Sana noted that lessons encouraging healthy habits, empathy, and teamwork had an impact on students’ understanding and behavior. One example was the “Good Habits” Social Studies lesson, which led to a school-wide Flood Relief Campaign. The initiative turned learning into action, bringing together students, teachers, and leaders to support flood affected families through donations and awareness posters.

Another moment came when students and teachers rescued an injured bird. What started as a simple act of kindness grew into a learning experience about empathy, compassion, and emotional well-being. These are values that perfectly capture the essence of SDG 3.

To deepen understanding, Sana also conducted an awareness session for teachers, where they looked at pedagogical approaches to ESD and discussed ways to integrate sustainability into lessons, reflections, and student projects. During this session, she presented the Agenda 2025 action plan to the school head and leadership team, ensuring full alignment and support for future initiatives.

Looking ahead, different new projects are on the way, including the creation of a well-being room, which is a safe space for students to express their feelings, the installation of well-being benches to encourage friendship and emotional connection, and the formation of an SDG Council to promote student leadership and advocacy.

As a Spanish teacher at Eyüboğlu Educational Institutions in Istanbul, Heriberto Perozo is a passionate Global Schools Advocate dedicated to bringing ESD into everyday school life. His teaching connects language, culture, and community, creating inclusive and meaningful learning experiences for his students.

In the classroom, Heriberto integrates sustainability, ethics, and intercultural understanding into language learning. His students look into real world issues such as animal welfare in entertainment, racism and inclusion through literature and film, and responsible travel practices that reduce environmental impact. Through activities like text analysis, personal reflection, and proposing practical actions, students strengthen their language skills and also develop empathy, critical thinking, and global awareness.

Beyond his classroom, Heriberto leads schoolwide efforts to include sustainability into learning. He has coordinated the European Languages Festival Week for over 1,300 students, launched international partnerships through eTwinning, and supported the establishment of a DELE Examination Center in Istanbul. He also organized a scholarship program with Instituto Cervantes and guided students on a virtual tour of Madrid’s Teatro de la Zarzuela, blending language learning with cultural heritage appreciation.

Heriberto’s work actively supports several SDGs, including Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Peace and Justice (SDG 16), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

In September, under the leadership of Lizet Eren, FMV Işık High School implemented different impactful initiatives as part of the Global Schools Program. The program was introduced to teachers, SDG posters were displayed across all departments, and a digital sustainability resource folder was shared with staff to support integration into daily teaching.

Lizet also guided the inclusion of SDG focused lessons within the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, covering topics such as water scarcity (SDG 6-Clean water and sanitation), sustainable energy (SDG 7-Affordable and clean energy), and the Adventure Park CAS activity linked to SDGs 3 (Good health and wellbeing), 5 (gender equality), and 15 (life on land).

To further engage students, she launched the Global Citizenship and Sustainability Club, while cultural awareness was promoted through events such as Hispanic Heritage Month and the European Day of Languages. In addition, Lizet held an international planning meeting with a teacher from the Dominican Republic to design a joint project on Children’s Rights, strengthening global collaboration and shared learning.