Hybrid Green World Café was organised at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia
On 4 March 2025, a hybrid Green World Café was organised at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia, gathering 10 participants both online and
on-site. The event created a dynamic forum to reflect on the future of green skills and sustainability in education, spanning all levels — from
primary and secondary education to higher education and workforce training.
Discussions focused on the transformations needed in education to better prepare students for the green economy. Key ideas included:
- Integrating sustainability topics across the curriculum;
- Embedding concepts like circular economy and renewable energy;
- Promoting 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving;
- Encouraging interdisciplinary and project-based learning;
- Fostering collaboration between educators from different fields;
- Using real-world engagement through partnerships with businesses and communities.
Participants also emphasized the need to equip teachers with training in sustainable development, and to use interactive and experiential
teaching methods—including role-playing, simulations, field trips, and practical links to daily life. On green entrepreneurship, suggestions included incorporating sustainability into entrepreneurship courses, promoting school-based startups
and innovation competitions, and creating partnerships with green businesses. Ensuring alignment with EU policies was another central topic. This included revising curricula, participating in European networks,
implementing green certification programmes, and aligning with national climate action plans.
Finally, universities were seen as key actors in providing hands-on experience through collaborations with industries, research projects,
hackathons, and EU initiatives. Mechanisms to evaluate sustainability education were also discussed, such as tracking learning outcomes,
student project assessments, employer feedback, and both internal and external evaluations.
The event concluded by reinforcing the importance of stronger collaboration between education and industry—through advisory boards, joint
research, specialized internships, and lifelong learning actions.