Towards a Mega-Pacific Islands Education Curriculum for Climate Adaptation Blending Traditional Knowledge in Modern Curriculum

Abstract

In 2005, the Pacific Islands Forum leaders endorsed the Pacific Islands Framework Environment Programme to ensure resilient capacity building for Pacific Island communities through education (Hay in Assessment of implementation of the Pacific islands framework for action on climate change. SPREP. Apia, Samoa 2009). In 2006, Ministers of Education from Pacific Islands Forum countries adopted the Pacific Framework for Education for Sustainable Development “to empower Pacific peoples through all forms of locally relevant and culturally appropriate education and learning to make decisions and take actions to meet current and future social, cultural, environmental and economic needs and aspirations” (UNESCO in Pacific education for sustainable development framework. Apia, Samoa 2006, p. 11). The Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management (Joint outcome statement from the 4th session of the Pacific platform for disaster risk management & Pacific regional water and sanitation consultations 2012) recognized the need for integrating climate change into education. Despite increasing focus on including climate change and adaptation education in mainstream curricula, an analysis of available literature reveals a wide gap between the inclusion and actual implementation. This study reviews past and current climate adaptation curricula for junior- and senior- level students in the Pacific Islands Region. The purpose of this appraisal is to invite relevant governmental institutions, international organizations, and researchers to develop a sound Pacific-wide climate adaptation curriculum. The paper advocates incorporating traditional knowledge as a pedagogical medium and as customized thematic content for each island into the design and implementation of the Pacific Islands climate adaptation curriculum. Although the paper does not propose or endorse a particular curriculum, it provides a general outline and critiques past and current endeavours in climate change education in this region, as well as potential challenges and solutions.