From May 11–13, 2023, a group of high school students will once again have the opportunity to join the Danish IPBES office at the Nature Summit in Hirtshals to learn about biodiversity and the challenges we face due to the biodiversity crisis. Apply by April 14.
The climate crisis is a widely recognized issue in society—among both the younger and older segments of the population. But what about the biodiversity crisis? The Earth’s diversity of species—animals, plants, and fungi—faces challenges that are at least as important to focus on as the consequences of climate change.
Against this backdrop, IPBES in Denmark released a series of free educational materials in early 2022 with support from the Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation. The materials, which consist of both educational booklets and videos, are specifically targeted at the country’s high school students, with a focus on strengthening their knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as challenges and solutions from interdisciplinary perspectives.
The teaching materials can be downloaded here
Invitation to High School Students Nationwide
The themes of biodiversity and ecosystems were also the focus when IPBES in Denmark participated in the Naturmødet event last year, accompanied by five 11th-grade students from Gladsaxe Gymnasium. There, the students actively participated in educational presentations, helping to educate the audience and guests on everything from planetary boundaries, the green economy, and the connection between the climate and biodiversity crises—all based on the educational materials developed by IPBES in Denmark.
See also: High school students brought attention to the biodiversity crisis at the Nature Meeting
IPBES in Denmark is now inviting a group of new high school students to participate in the Nature Meeting in Hirtshals on May 11–13. There, they’ll have a special opportunity to take part in IPBES Denmark’s activities during the Nature Meeting, and there will also be plenty of time for the students to explore Hirtshals on their own while learning more about the many environmental topics on the program.
If you are a high school student and interested in participating in Naturmødet, please submit a short application of no more than half a page with a brief description of who you are and why you would like to participate.
Applications should be sent to IPBES via Denmark’s student assistant, Michella Molin (michella.molin@sund.ku.dk)
The deadline for applications is Friday, April 28, 2023.
We will select up to six students, who will be invited to a meeting—possibly online—where we will review and plan the program for the Nature Meeting together. In addition to the students, the author of the teaching materials, Lars Dinesen, will be present for the three days of the Nature Meeting. Accommodations have been arranged in a vacation home near Naturmødet, and all expenses for lodging, food, beverages, and transportation to and from Naturmødet will be covered by IPBES in Denmark through a grant from the Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the coordinator, Lars Dinesen (lars.dinesen@sund.ku.dk).
Bridge or barrier?
The theme of Naturmødet 2023 is “Bridge or Barrier?” —part of a three-year theme—where Naturmødet, through presentations, activities, and debates, helps build bridges between biologists, farmers, nature guides, children, politicians, scientists, and ordinary, curious Danes.
Learn more about Naturmødet and find the official program here
