MGSE participation in Bonn Climate Change Conference
Bonn, 15 June 2023 - The Monitoring and Evaluating Climate Communication and Education (MECCE) Project, an ambitious international research partnership comprising of over 100 leading scholars and agencies, is dedicated to enhancing global climate literacy and action. With a primary focus on improving the quality and quantity of climate change education, training, and public awareness, the MECCE Project strives to drive positive change globally. The project, headquartered at the University of Saskatchewan and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education (MGSE) at the University of Melbourne, has received a substantial partnership grant of over $4.5 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
Intergenerational Dialogues at the ACE Academy (Youth Representatives speak with the ACE Focal Point for Senegal). Credit: MECCE Project
A key aspect of the MECCE Project is its extensive partnerships with the United Nations, particularly the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These partnerships aim to advance Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), the UNFCCC's term for climate change communication and education. The MECCE Project actively participates in UNFCCC's climate change conferences, including the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) held in November and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) held every June in Bonn.
This year, the MECCE Project was honoured to be invited by the UNFCCC to co-organize the ACE-Focal Point Academy during the Bonn Climate Change Conference. The Academy, a hybrid event held on 7-8 June 2023, focused on monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of ACE and climate change communication and education. It aimed to enhance the capacity of National ACE Focal Points and negotiators to evaluate and report on quality ACE policies and practices in their respective countries and through that increase their monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MER).
During the Bonn Climate Change Conference 2023, the MECCE Project unveiled an update to its Interactive Data Platform (IDP). The IDP serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in exploring indicators related to climate change communication and education. These indicators facilitate cross-country comparisons and mutual learning, thereby contributing to the advancement of ACE. By enhancing both the quantity and quality of global climate change communication and education, this research will inspire momentum and encourage stakeholders worldwide to take more substantial climate action.
Marcia McKenzie reports back on group discussions at the ACE Dialogue. Credit: MECCE Project
The ACE-Focal Point Academy was attended by around 60 National Government ACE Focal Points in person, with an additional 15 participating online. The group represented a diverse set of people, highlighting the global interest and commitment to enhancing climate change communication and education. Many people attending emphasised the importance of the event and stressed that more guidance is needed in the future.
Project Manager Nicola Chopin (left) and Director Marcia McKenzie (right) at the ACE Gallery event. Credit: MECCE Project
The MECCE Project's efforts highlight the importance of evidence-informed climate change communication and education strategies, by building capacity, fostering international collaboration, and leveraging the power of data-driven approaches. The MECCE Project continues to play a significant role in addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
About the MECCE Project:
The Monitoring and Evaluating Climate Communication and Education (MECCE) Project is an international research partnership dedicated to advancing global climate literacy and action. With a focus on improving the quality and quantity of climate change education, MECCE collaborates with leading scholars, agencies, and international organizations to drive positive change in climate change communication and education worldwide.
The MECCE Project is Directed by Professor Marcia McKenzie, MGSE Associate Dean Sustainability, and Lead of the Climate Communication and Education Theme for Melbourne Climate Futures. The MECCE Project team also includes MGSE staff members Jeana Kriewaldt, Rhonda Di Biase, Julie McLeod, Licho Lopez, and John Quay