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The GLOBE Program and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) share a common commitment to the environment, capacity building, and cultural understanding. NASA and UNEP announced an agreement to work together on the promotion and implementation of GLOBE and UNEP activities in August 2019. 

Through this partnership, GLOBE and UNEP will cooperate on environmental education and training, citizen science, and the collection and distribution of environmental data. They will also work together to increase awareness of, and promote the use of, GLOBE data by the international science community by leveraging the UNEP’s Global Resource Information Database (GRID) Centers and publications, with a goal of encouraging participation of environmental researchers in The GLOBE Program. GLOBE and UNEP will share education and training resources for distribution to their networks and promote closer collaboration of UNEP Regional Offices with GLOBE countries and Regional Coordination Offices in their regions.

UNEP 9th Science Summit 2023 GLOBE Presentation Details

UNEP 9th Science Summit 2023 GLOBE Presentation Details

The 9th Science Summit at UNGA78 was held from September 12-29, 2023. The role and contribution of science to attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was the central theme of the Summit. The objective was to develop and launch science collaborations to demonstrate global science mechanisms and activities to support the attainment of the UN SDGs, Agenda 2030 and Local2030. Another objective was to prepare input for the United Nations Summit of the Future, which will take place during UNGA79 beginning on September 12, 2024.

The GLOBE Program was presented at two sessions during the UNGA78 Science Summit in 2023.

First Session Information

The first session was held on September 20, 2023; the title was “The NASA GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN): Advancing Earth Science Education and Contributing to the UN SDGs through Open Science.”

Professor Mike Jabot, NASA GLOBE US GLOBE Partner, SUNY Fredonia  and Larisa Schelkin, NASA GLOBE US Partner, GISN, Global STEM Education Center, Inc  were co-moderators (Larisa Schelkin also served as the convenor); the speakers were:

  • North America: Katherine Boggs , GISN Canada, NASA GLOBE, A Geology Professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • South America: Claudia Cecilia Caro Vera,  GISN Peru, NASA GLOBE, PhD in Biosciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
  • East Africa: Lala Sahondra Rafarasoa,  GISN Madagascar, NASA GLOBE/University of Antanananarivo/
  • Asia and Pacific: Joan Bilasano Callope, GISN Philippines, Assistant Country Coordinator, The GLOBE Program-Philippines, NASA GLOBE
  • Europe and Eurasia: Pegi Pavletic , GISN Croatia, NASA GLOBE
  • Near East and North Africa Region: Hameed Sulaiman, GISN Oman, NASA GLOBE
  • Tony Murphy, International Director, NASA GLOBE
  • Grace Crain-Wright, GLOBE Science Coordinator, NASA GLOBE

In 2023 NASA GLOBE GISN members actively collaborated to promote Earth science education worldwide and drove progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the principles of open science. The session highlighted the significant contributions of the GISN to science education, sustainable development, and the dissemination of knowledge for global prosperity. The United Nations General Assembly Science Summit provided an exceptional platform to acknowledge and showcase the GISN's achievements, strategies, and future prospects. By fostering international collaboration and leveraging the expertise of its members, the GISN effectively engaged with educators, students, and policymakers to address pressing global challenges.

The primary objective of this session was to underscore the importance of Earth science education in achieving the UN SDGs. The GISN aimed to enhance scientific literacy and empower future generations with the knowledge and skills to become active contributors to sustainable development. Through its network of professionals, the GISN developed and disseminated innovative educational resources, facilitated capacity-building workshops, and supported the implementation of inquiry-based learning methodologies. By cultivating a sense of global citizenship, the GISN fostered environmental stewardship and inspired transformative action.

The GISN is committed to advancing open science principles. Through the sharing of data, methodologies, and best practices, GISN members promoted transparency, collaboration, and reproducibility in scientific research. By leveraging technological advancements, such as open-source tools and platforms, the GISN contributed to the democratization of scientific knowledge, bridging gaps between scientists, policymakers, and the public. This fostered evidence-based decision-making, enhanced policy formulation, and facilitated the monitoring of progress towards the SDGs.

The session advocated for the recognition of the GISN's vital role in advancing Earth science education and contributing to the achievement of the UN SDGs through open science. By prioritizing global collaboration, knowledge exchange, and open access to scientific information, the GISN stood as a catalyst for positive change. The United Nations General Assembly Science Summit provided a unique opportunity to amplify the impact of the GISN's initiatives and reinforce the importance of scientific education and open science in driving sustainable development worldwide.

Second Session Information

The second session was held on September 21, 2023, the title was: “The GLOBE Program – an international science and education program that cultivates the next generation of STEM professionals and science”

Professor Mike Jabot, NASA GLOBE US GLOBE Partner, SUNY Fredonia  and Larisa Schelkin, NASA GLOBE US Partner, GISN, Global STEM Education Center, Inc  were co-moderators (Larisa Schelkin also served as the convenor) the speakers were:

  • Latin America: Andrea Ventoso, GLOBE Country Coordinator, Ministry of Environment of Uruguay
  • Africa: Charles Mwangi, GLOBE Country Coordinator, The GLOBE Program
  • North America: Elena Sparrow, Research Professor/Education OUtreach Director, University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center
  • Asia and Pacific: Yogendra Chitrakar, GLOBE Country Coordinator, Executive Director, ECCA
  • Europe and Eurasia: Ramona Mercieca, GLOBE Malta Deputy Coordinator, Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation
  • Middle East Region: Siham Salman, Program coordinator, Association for forest, Development and Conservation
  • Lyn Wigbels, GIO GLOBE International Coordinator
  • Tony Murphy, International Director, NASA GLOBE

At the 2023 UNGA78 Science Summit, The GLOBE Program showcased its strategic role in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants gained insights into how GLOBE aligns with these goals and explored various strategies that aid in their implementation. The session highlighted the practical impacts of GLOBE's educational initiatives on global environmental education and SDG attainment.

The program leverages its extensive network—encompassing over 127 countries and nearly 237 million environmental measurements—to empower students and the public as active participants in environmental science. This session underscored GLOBE's ongoing commitment to integrating SDGs into its educational resources, emphasizing its foundational role in nurturing future STEM professionals.

A panel of representatives from each of GLOBE's six regions—Africa, Asia & Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, Latin America & Caribbean, Near East & North Africa, and North America—shared their experiences and successes in implementing GLOBE in their local contexts. These narratives were supplemented with specific case studies demonstrating the program's contributions toward national SDG efforts.

The panel was co-moderated by Larisa K. Schelkin and Professor Michael Jabot, both distinguished in their roles with UNITAR and GLOBE. They facilitated a dynamic discussion that included presentations using PowerPoint slides, video clips, images, and data analyses, enhancing the storytelling with a rich multimedia approach.

Each panelist presented detailed accounts of GLOBE's protocols and activities tailored to their regions, focusing on educational strategies and resources that align with the SDGs. This session not only emphasized GLOBE’s effectiveness in advancing environmental education but also fostered deeper understanding among the global GLOBE community about the diverse ways members are propelling sustainability and educational goals forward.

This engaging session at the UNGA78 Science Summit highlighted the vital role of GLOBE in driving sustainable development through education, showcasing the power of global cooperation and informed environmental stewardship.