On October 28, 2024, at Palazzo Lombardia, the award ceremony for the “Quality Projects for Environmental Education and Sustainability in Lombardy” took place. This initiative, promoted by Regione Lombardia, aims to highlight the best educational experiences in sustainability.
Among the selected projects, Casnati for ESD received a prestigious recognition, ranking third at the regional level with a score of 44/45 in the “Environmental Education and Sustainability Education Proposals” call for projects. The award was presented by the Regional Councillor for Environment and Climate, Giorgio Maione, as a testament to the commitment and quality of the activities carried out.
Representing Centro Studi Casnati at the ceremony was the project coordinator, Federica Quartesan, accompanied by students Bazzi Amina, Farah Leila, Figini Arianna, Monti Sophie, and Mauri Giulia, all from the Fourth Year of the Four-Year Language High School. The students represented the entire Casnati school community, which is actively engaged in ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) programs.
A Recognition for Educational Innovation
The €10,000 funding obtained through the project call has enabled the implementation of strategic initiatives that have strengthened Casnati for ESD’s role as a benchmark for sustainability education. One of the most notable initiatives was the conference “Education and Sustainable Development: Building a Territorial Network to Create Value”, held on November 5, 2024. The event was sponsored by Regione Lombardia, the Province of Como, Confindustria Como, the Regional Park of Valle del Lambro, Youth4Climate, and Ecosistema Formazione Italia and was organized in collaboration with the Territorial School Office of Como.
The Voices of Students: Protagonists of Change
During the ceremony, in addition to project coordinator Federica Quartesan, the attending students also spoke, emphasizing the importance of active youth participation in sustainability education. In their speech, they invited the audience to follow the live stream of the November 5 conference, an event in which they would participate as speakers in a panel discussion alongside Giacomo Di Capua.
The Panel with Giacomo Di Capua and the Role of Students in the Sustainability Debate
As part of the November 5 conference, the students took part in a discussion with Giacomo Di Capua, former Italian Delegate to the United Nations for 2023-2024, sharing their perspectives on education, sustainability, and youth activism.
This experience highlighted the value of the peer-to-peer approach already tested in the Casnati for ESD project, where students have had the opportunity to hold lectures and educational sessions within the school, helping to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the importance of integrated environmental education.
A Milestone Looking Towards the Future
The award received represents an important incentive for Casnati for ESD, which continues its commitment to creating a territorial ecosystem dedicated to sustainability, capable of involving schools, institutions, businesses, and citizens.
Thanks to the synergy between teachers, students, and local partners, the project continues to grow, aiming to promote a culture of active and participatory sustainability. The recognition awarded by Regione Lombardia confirms the value of the path undertaken and opens up new perspectives for the future of the project.
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