Strengthening Ecosocial Education in Slovenia
EUKI project Classroom for Life aims to empower educators with the tools and knowledge needed to integrate sustainable principles into their teaching practices. As part of this initiative, the Second Conference on Ecosocial Education connected experts, educators, and policymakers to explore innovative approaches to sustainability and social justice in education.
The Second Conference on Ecosocial Education brought together over 150 participants to advance sustainability and social justice in education. Beyond discussions, six interactive workshops provided hands-on demonstrations of innovative educational approaches. The conference’s impact resonated nationally, receiving coverage on Slovenian national television, a local Koper TV channel, and a live interview on Radio Trieste.
The conference successfully bridged international and national perspectives. The opening day, held online on 26 September 2024, featured keynote addresses from Dr Daniel Christian Wahl, a biologist and expert in holistic science and natural design, who discussed „Bioregional Regeneration as a Tool and Pathway to Climate Justice,“ and Dr Mirela Sertić Perić, who explored „Developing a Sustainable Future: Examining Education for Sustainable Development.“ These presentations set the stage for deeper reflections on the integration of ecosocial principles in education. The online segment also featured the „Gifts“ session, where Slovenian educators shared best practices in sustainability education, presenting diverse and innovative approaches to fostering ecological awareness, climate justice, and mindful learning in schools.
On 27 September 2024, the conference continued in person at the Faculty of Education, University of Primorska. The day opened with keynote lectures by Assoc. Prof. Dr Tomaž Grušovnik („Philosophy for Children and Environmental Ethics“) and Dr Dejan Meh Savić („Without Justice, We Cannot Solve the Climate Crisis“). These thought-provoking discussions were followed by a roundtable featuring experts from the Faculty of Education at the University of Primorska, representatives from the Ministry of Education, and the National Education Institute of Slovenia, reaffirming institutional commitment to embedding sustainability and climate literacy into national education policies.
Afternoon sessions provided hands-on workshops exploring climate and sustainability through interactive methods. Educators and experts led activities on climate change experiments, environmental education in protected areas, the social and ecological impact of food production, just climate transitions, experiential learning through climate walks, and global environmental challenges.
The Classroom for Life project equips teachers with tools to become sustainability facilitators. It develops training programmes, a dedicated handbook, and adaptable learning scenarios tailored for primary schools. The training programme developed within the project aligns with pressing educational and societal challenges, making it applicable for both current and future systemic national projects initiated by the Ministry of Education. As a project partner, the Faculty of Education at the University of Primorska will ensure that the learning materials produced within the project remain accessible to students and are systematically integrated into faculty courses, fostering long-term engagement with ecosocial education.
The project fosters collaboration between public schools, environmental NGOs, and eco-villages, strengthening policy engagement and ensuring the integration of ecosocial education into broader systemic frameworks.