Reimagining Our Relationship with Nature

Every year on May 22, the United Nations observes the International Day for Biological Diversity, a reminder of the richness of life on Earth and our responsibility to protect it. In 2025, the theme “Be Part of the Plan” invites everyone to prevent biodiversity loss and shape a future where humans and nature can thrive together.

Biodiversity covers nearly every part of our daily lives, from the pollinators that help grow our food to the wetlands that filter our water and protect against floods. It shapes the ecosystems we rely on for clean air, medicine, and climate stability. Today, that web of life is under strain. With species disappearing at an alarming rate due to climate change, pollution, and unsustainable practices, the call to “be part of the plan” has never been more urgent.

At IVECA, this day’s significance resonates through the virtual classrooms that unite students from across continents to learn about and from one another. Students build global awareness through intercultural collaboration and examine real-world challenges like biodiversity loss from multiple perspectives.

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, IVECA integrates environmental education into its curriculum, encouraging students to explore the significance of biodiversity in their local contexts and beyond. Through projects focusing on water conservation, climate change, globalization, and environmental health, students examine the impact of human activities on ecosystems. These interdisciplinary projects foster a detailed understanding of the delicate balance required to maintain biodiversity and cultivate the cultural awareness needed to explore diverse solutions to shared environmental challenges.

Beyond the classroom, IVECA reinforces its commitment to fostering global citizenship and environmental stewardship by bringing together students, educators, and global leaders to discuss and promote sustainable practices. IVECA has organized and participated in UN parallel events, such as the 2022 Multistakeholder Partnership Model: Global Citizenship Education for Clean Water and Clean Energy and the 2023 UN SDG Summit Follow-Up Event on Greening Global Citizenship Education.

This blend of scientific inquiry, intercultural dialogue, and action-oriented learning is central to IVECA’s mission. It reflects a broader understanding that protecting biodiversity is not just a scientific task, but a social, ethical, and cultural one as well. By helping students connect local issues to global contexts, IVECA fosters a generation of learners ready to “be part of the plan” for biodiversity and a more sustainable world.  

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