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Education for sustainability: German-Namibian teacher training starts!
Trier University successfully carries out ESD training for German and Namibian teachers. Partnership and exchange promote sustainable education.
Education for sustainability: German-Namibian teacher training starts!
A four-day ESD training for German and Namibian teachers and teacher training students at the University of Trier took place from April 22nd to 25th, 2025. This workshop is part of the German-Namibian Exchange of Educators, a two-year exchange program that focuses on qualifications in the field of education for sustainable development (ESD). In addition to German educators, six teachers from Namibia as well as geography and didactics students took part over the four days to expand their knowledge of sustainability and environmental education.
The training included various practical elements, including presentations of self-designed projects and learning modules on topics such as floods and climate change. During the events, participants were also able to learn how recycling and the use of raw materials can be promoted in the Plast.Ed workshop. The Bee.Ed college group also demonstrated beekeeping, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of bees to the ecosystem.
Excursions and project development
A key component of the program was the field trips. These included insights into volunteer work at the Technical Relief Organization (THW) Trier as well as a post-colonial city tour. The students in the “Global Learning” seminar conducted interviews with the Namibian participants and developed learning groups about alternative teaching methods. In May, the Namibian teachers have the opportunity to sit in on German schools, which further deepens the intercultural exchange.
The project is led by Barbara Scharfbillig and a binational team from Germany and Namibia. Partners in the project include the University of Trier, Suni e.V., the Light for the Children Foundation and the Directorate of Education Omaheke Regional Council. Financing is provided by the German-African Youth Office, Engagement Global and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
A long-term goal: Education for Sustainable Development
The exchange between the two countries aims to qualify educators as multipliers for ESD and to promote an exchange about the respective education systems and methods. The 14 participating educators will take part in several study trips and workshops in the coming months. The program also includes internships at the Namibian Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) and through the University of Trier in order to implement concrete projects in the field of ESD with students in both countries and thus contribute to achieving the UN Sustainability Goals.
Lisa Noonga, a teacher from Namibia, expressed positive impressions of the first workshop and is already looking forward to future collaboration. The next steps include a trip for the German participants to Namibia in July 2024, where they will shadow teachers and receive practical training.
Such exchange projects strengthen transnational education and create a bilateral network that benefits not only the teachers but also the students. Further information about the exchange project can be found on the website University of Trier or at Suni e.V.. Additionally, information can be stored in the KMK recommendations on education for sustainable development be read.