Fumiyo Kagawa and David Selby completed this 2023-2024 UNICEF Pacific multi-country study exploring the nexus between climate change, environmental degradation, disasters and education systems. The countries covered in the Pacific island region are: Fiji, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The overall aims of the study are to examine:
- Present and looming risks, impacts, and repercussions of climate breakdown, environmental degradation and climate and environment-induced disasters for education systems in five selected countries in the region
- Education system responses to climate change and environmental degradation, exploring key education components and their interrelationship
- Perceptions of education sector key stakeholders with respect to present and future directions of travel in addressing system-wide impacts of climate breakdown and environmental degradation.
The research methodology included desk-based literature review, as well as individual and focus group interviews with key stakeholders and informants both in the field and from a distance.
Fumiyo conducted field-based research in Solomon Islands and FSM in May and November 2023 respectively, in Fiji and Vanuatu in February/March 2024, while consulting with key stakeholders in Kiribati from a distance.
Five country-specific analytical reports as well as a regional synthesis report were submitted to UNICEF Pacific and they are due to be published.