The Sustainability Community of Practice has launched

The Sustainability Community of Practice has launched, so Join us and help Save the Planet for the Children

On the 16^th of July, my colleague Nick Corlett and I were delighted to launch a sustainability community of practice (CoP). I have wanted to do this for ages, and I think Nick was quietly relieved that he will no longer have to listen to me talk about a CoP because it has now set sail on the great sustainability river.

The reason we need a CoP is because we need to build sustainability informed staff across all Early Years settings and schools.  There are 1.5m people employed in education in the UK and 93m worldwide therefore we are a powerful force for change.  Obviously, it makes logical sense to begin learning about sustainability in the Early Years because it is a natural starting point as we prepare children to undertake their roles and responsibilities as responsible global citizens.

Too many children (65%) are frightened by climate change and 81% want to learn more to help the planet and yet 70% of teachers don’t feel adequately equipped to teach their pupils about climate change ( SOS-UK, 2021; Eden Project, 2022).  We therefore have a duty to act!

The vision for the CoP is of a network of forward-thinking staff, each of whom is keen to contribute to the wider efforts to address climate change by building the three pillars of sustainability into their governance, leadership, operations and pedagogy. We want to use the CoP to build collective research and global partnerships to advance our understanding and experience, disseminate new ideas and activities and share how we drive and anchor sustainability in our settings across governance, leadership, operations and pedagogy in the light of future disruptions and changes, and in response to our duty to act for the benefit of future generations.

Our preferred method of engagement is through conversations. Powerful conversations are essential for building the trust and connection with colleagues  lead to pedagogical learning by helping both parties come to a greater understanding which offers them the space to stop and reflect.

Our first task (apart from spreading the word) is to agree a name.  The following were suggested and please use the poll to vote by Friday the 26^th July!

• Sustainability in Early Years (SIEY)
• Early Learning Sustainability Network (ELSN)
• Sustainability Community of Practice (SCOP)
• Sustainability Action in the Early Years (SAIEY)
• Early Years Action for Sustainability (EYAS)
• Global Action for Sustainability for Childrens Futures (GASCF)
• International Community of Practice for Sustainability in Education (ICOPSE)
• Green Beginnings for Sustainable Futures (GBSF)
• Network for Sustainability in Early Years (NSEY)

The second voting task is to agree the principles of the COP:

• Non-hierarchical
• Committed to the COP
• Respectful and harmonious relationships
• Providing multiple ways to participate
• Committed to allowing members the time to get to know each other
• Delivering effective and flexible communication
• Ensuring confidentiality agreements
• Encouraging members of the COP to tell their stories

Our third vote is to agree to share your details with green@leyf.org.uk so we can build a Connection Map and agree to how we amplify our COP learning.

Finally, are you happy with the key data measures?

Thank You All

Next Meeting is the 17^th September

Time and speaker will be confirmed on the LinkedIn group which will be launched once the name is confirmed.