28/09/2026
SANParks Advances Environmental Education and Sustainability at the 44th EEASA Conference in Malawi
The SANParks Socio-Economic Transformation Unit, through its Environmental Education and Awareness Programme, proudly participated in the 44th Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) Conference, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 21 to 25 September 2026.
Hosted under the theme “Reimagining Education for Climate Resilience, Justice and Sustainable Futures,” the conference brought together environmental educators, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and development stakeholders from across Southern Africa and beyond. The event provided an important platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and exploring innovative approaches to environmental education, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), climate action, and transformative learning.
The conference was officially opened by Malawi’s Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Hon. Patricia Wiskes, MP, who welcomed delegates to the “Warm Heart of Africa.” In her remarks, EEASA President Heila Lotz-Sisitka underscored the importance of collective learning and encouraged participants to ensure that the insights and experiences shared at the conference translate into meaningful action within classrooms, communities, institutions, and everyday life.
SANParks' participation highlighted the critical role of environmental education in supporting conservation, community empowerment, and socio-economic transformation. Through its conference contributions, the organisation showcased innovative and inclusive approaches to environmental learning, including efforts to make conservation education more accessible to children with diverse learning needs through the Kids in Parks Programme.
The Unit also shared its work on climate-smart, community-based environmental and cultural heritage education. This contribution demonstrated how protected areas can serve as spaces for inclusive learning, community resilience building, and the promotion of sustainable futures by integrating environmental stewardship with cultural heritage conservation.
Furthermore, SANParks actively participated in discussions on climate change, environmental education, and sustainable development, contributing to regional dialogue on the role of education in advancing climate resilience, environmental justice, and sustainable development within protected area landscapes.
These contributions reflect SANParks' ongoing commitment to positioning national parks as centres of transformative, inclusive, and community-centred learning. Participation in the conference also strengthened opportunities for professional growth, regional collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge on emerging trends and best practices in environmental education and Education for Sustainable Development.
Through engagements such as the EEASA Conference, SANParks continues to foster environmental stewardship, support community development, and champion innovative educational approaches that contribute to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future.
