Learning, Innovating, Acting: Building a Sustainable Future
ยฉ Peech Studio
On 24 March, a UNESCO Campus was held focusing on innovation and sustainable development, giving students and experts with a platform to exchange ideas and experiences.
26 March 2026 - Last update: 31 March 2026
UNESCO Campus gathered students from different schools around the world: 76 students took the floor during the exchange from Benin, India, Nigeria and United Kingdom. Moreover, 13 classes connected from all around the world attended the event. The students engaged with experts from UNESCO and civil society on the role of innovation in driving concrete actions to build more responsible and inclusive societies. The session was organized with the support of TECH4ALL by Huawei and in collaboration with 6C-Conseil.
Acting starts with learning
To open the discussion, William Savard, Project Assistant in the Education for Sustainable Development sector at UNESCO, recalled that sustainable development means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It is based on three pillars: economic, environmental and social, aiming to ensure well-being for all.
He underlined that past exploitation of natural resources has contributed to current challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. In this context, education remains essential, but climate issues are still not sufficiently integrated into learning systems. In this context, the key role of young people is to become drivers of change.
The need for responsible and inclusive innovation
Once equipped with knowledge the next step is innovation, Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech, encouraged students to reflect on โsmartโ innovation that serves the common good. According to her, the value of technology should not be measured simply by its performance, but also by its impact on society.
She insisted that innovation must be inclusive and ethical. Technologies that only benefit already privileged groups risk widening inequalities. It is therefore important to question their environmental cost, accessibility and long-term effects.
Education plays a key role in this process, helping young people use technology responsibly and understand both its potential and its limits.
Engaging for active citizenship
Jelena Zelenovic, Programme Specialist in Global Citizenship and Peace Education at UNESCO, highlighted the importance of global citizenship by being an active citizen means feeling part of a shared world and acting for the common good.
She pointed out that education must be accessible to all to prepare future innovators. Beyond knowledge, it should foster critical thinking, empathy and a sense of responsibility. Innovation is not only technological; it arises from everyday actions and new ways of thinking.
She also mentioned the importance of both individual and collective engagement in addressing environmental, economic and social challenges within the framework of education for sustainable development. Through concrete initiatives, citizens can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable world.
The UNESCO Campus allows students to take inspiration from these exchanges and leave with practical ideas.