From 15 – 20 September 2025, Kuala Lumpur became a global hub for ESD as it hosted two major international events convened by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE): the FEE National Operators Meeting (NOM) and the EcoCampus International Conference (ECIC). These gatherings brought together nearly 200 delegates from 48 countries to strengthen collaboration, share best practices, and advance climate action through education.
The Maltese delegation actively engaged in networking and collaboration with international partners, fostering new connections and sharing insights across diverse educational contexts.
The FEE National Operators Meeting, held from 15 – 18 September, focused on the strategic development of FEE’s flagship programmes: Eco-Schools, Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF) and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE). The meeting focused on the importance of measurable sustainability outcomes, green skills development, and the integration of ESD into national curricula and community initiatives.
Malta was represented by three national operators from Nature Trust – FEE Malta: Prof. Paul Pace, EkoSkola National Operator, shared Malta’s long-standing commitment to ESD and its whole-school approach to climate literacy. Johann Gatt, LEAF National Operator, presented Malta’s innovative outdoor-based learning initiatives, which reconnect communities with ecosystems and promote biodiversity awareness. Audrey Gauci, YRE National Operator, highlighted the transformative power of youth-led environmental journalism in fostering civic engagement and critical thinking.
Following the NOM, the EcoCampus International Conference took place from 18 – 20 September, exploring the theme Transforming Higher Education for Climate Action: A Whole-System Approach. The conference showcased how universities and colleges can become living laboratories for sustainability, integrating climate action across teaching, research, governance, and operations. Prof Pace also announced that he is currently exploring how the University of Malta can formally adopt the EcoCampus programme, aligning higher education with FEE’s whole-institution sustainability framework.
The delegation’s contributions in both events highlighted Nature Trust – FEE Malta’s central role in advancing ESD. Through its coordination of national programmes and ongoing efforts to embed sustainability across the Maltese educational system, Nature Trust has helped position Malta as a leading example of ESD integration in global fora.
