The 2024 ‘Climate x’ Leadership Training Program is now open to college students' applications worldwide. Sign up here at https://climatexleadership.gauc.net.// before August 15th, 2024.

Hosted by the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC), and strategically supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and GAUC’s global partners, the training program aims to empower youth with the knowledge, skills, and tools to become the climate leaders of tomorrow, by inspiring them to envision a sustainable future, take meaningful action, and unlock their potential as leaders for a carbon-neutral future.

Top University Resources

GAUC was established in 2019 to provide leadership in global higher education’s efforts to address climate change. Since its establishment, it has received generous recognition worldwide. Leveraging the prestigious educational resources from GAUC member universities, the Training Program rallied an international team of climate experts to present an exceptional interdisciplinary curriculum for future climate leaders. 

To enhance the awareness of the next generation about the synergy between climate change and other UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this year, esteemed scholars will bring online lectures on Global Climate Governance, Climate x Energy, Climate x Health, Climate x AI & Innovation, and Youth Leadership Development.

1+N module structure

To empower students to transition from learners of climate knowledge to leaders of climate actions, the training program adopted a ‘Train the Trainer’ approach through a ‘1+N’ module. “1” refers to 1 month of knowledge immersion within the module. In September, students will complete 8 online interactive sessions, enhance scientific ingenuity, deepen global governance understanding, and broaden international perspectives. “N” symbolizes the multiple self-organized events （at least two）that enrolled students should complete from August to November to put their leadership skills and climate knowledge into practice. Notably, the project will inspire students to align their individual efforts with the collective actions of the global youth in climate advocacy. By organizing the Nth event during Global Youth Climate Week (2024.11.1-11.8), they will contribute the voice and momentum of the youth to the convening of the UNFCCC COP29.

Open to Global College Students

In 2022, the inaugural training cultivated 100 students from GAUC member universities, many of whom are taking active roles representing the youth force in addressing climate issues. To broaden the opportunity for the next generation and equip more youth to take climate action, GAUC opened the training program to global college students in 2023 and enrolled over 1,000 students from 74 countries. By the end of the program last year, more than 300 events were hosted by the students, impacting around 40,000 people worldwide.

In 2024, the program will continue to build on its strengths, impart climate knowledge with broader human development themes, apply it in practice, and remain open to the global youth. Upon fulfilling the requirements of the 1+N module, students who complete the program will be jointly awarded by GAUC and UNESCO. Show your passion and take action, together, you will pioneer the path to a Net-zero Future.

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