The Climate Education Delegation from Azerbaijan in Israel: A Milestone in Regional Cooperation for Sustainability
Establishing an Innovative Educational Partnership Between Israel and Azerbaijan
Over the past few weeks, Israel has hosted a highly significant educational delegation from Azerbaijan, composed of 20 senior educators and government officials. The delegation, which participated in an extensive educational program on climate change during its stay in Israel, is the first of several future delegations expected from countries in the region. This initiative is part of a joint effort led by the Ministry for Regional Cooperation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (through MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation), the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The delegation was established following an agreement signed last November between Israel and Azerbaijan at the Climate Conference held in Baku. This agreement positioned both countries at the forefront of regional climate education leadership, with the goal of fostering a new generation of students, educators, and experts committed to sustainability and combating the climate crisis.
Experiential Learning and Meetings with Israeli Education Leaders
The delegation spent two weeks in Israel, engaging in a wide range of activities that deepened their understanding of the Israeli education system and its approaches to integrating climate education. The program included:
- Professional seminars at the MASHAV Carmel Training Center – Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center in Haifa, where advanced pedagogical approaches to environmental education were presented.
- Meetings with educators – including policymakers, school principals, teachers, students, and academic experts.
- Educational tours across Israel, including visits to the Dead Sea, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, Jerusalem, and Yad Vashem. The delegation was exposed to groundbreaking environmental projects and innovative models in climate education.
- Hands-on experiential activities, including training in modern climate education methodologies, collaborative workshops for developing educational programs, and direct participation in ecological activities in schools and kindergartens.
One of the program’s key objectives is to establish a long-term professional network between educational institutions in Israel and Azerbaijan, aimed at developing tailored curricula and creating a foundation for future collaborations.
Israel as a Regional Anchor for Climate Education
The delegation, and the program as a whole, strengthen Israel’s position as a regional leader in climate education and environmental cooperation. Israel is also an international research hub for technological solutions to climate challenges, and this program leverages Israeli expertise to foster cross-border partnerships.
Director General of the Ministry for Regional Cooperation, Gilad Shadmon, stated: “This is a unique opportunity to make climate awareness and sustainability an integral part of the education culture in both Israel and Azerbaijan, while fostering strong and meaningful connections between the educational communities of our two nations.”
What’s Next? The Future of Climate Cooperation
The success of this pilot delegation has paved the way for further partnerships, and in the coming year, additional delegations from other regional countries are expected to join the initiative. The vision is to create a regional climate education ecosystem, encompassing knowledge-sharing, expanded partnerships, and strengthened connections between educational communities in the Middle East.
During these challenging times, as Israel faces numerous difficulties, such collaborations serve as a beacon of hope, proving that cross-border cooperation is possible and essential for building a better future for all.
For more information, read the article by Asaf Golan, Israel Hayom.
