Tomorrow’s professionals, citizens and decision makers are in school today. What are we doing now to help them care for nature and make responsible decisions in the future?
We are delighted to announce that on 20 October, the Visual Armenia Foundation will take part in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17). We will share how the global biodiversity conservation agenda can become part of everyday school life, creating opportunities to explore, collaborate and take action.
We bring this connection to life through Smart Boards for WorldView Schools (SBWS), a project competition delivered through the WorldView educational program. Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has provided teams of teachers and students with in-depth training, followed by the opportunity to carry out research projects and earn an interactive smart board for their school.
The theme of SBWS2026 is “Mapping the Future of Armenia’s Environment: Global Challenges, Local Solutions.”
226 projects. 2,260 students and teachers.
Teams have explored their local natural heritage and environmental challenges, worked with sources, data and digital tools, collaborated with communities and specialists, and sought solutions rooted in local needs.
What can you expect on 20 October?
🔹 16:45 to 17:15 | Keynote Speech
“From Knowledge to Action: Education as a Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation”
Speaker: Hovhannes Ghazaryan, Executive Director of the Visual Armenia Foundation.
🔹 17:30 to 19:00 | Three Panel Discussions
• Student Voices: From Research to Discovery
What have students discovered about their communities and the natural world, and how did they arrive at those discoveries?
• Community Voices: When Students Create Value for Their Communities
What changes when school research extends beyond the classroom and connects with communities and relevant institutions?
• Expert Perspectives: Investing in Education for Lasting Change
What difference could today’s school experiences make in 10 to 20 years, and how can successful initiatives become an enduring part of educational practice?
We invite students, teachers, parents, professionals working in education, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, our partners, and everyone interested to join the conversation.
📅 20 October 2026
🕓 16:45 to 19:00
📍 Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex
CBD COP17 Green Zone | Upper Stage
To visit the COP17 Green Zone, please register here.
Follow the event page to meet the speakers, discover the students’ projects and explore the program: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E5rjaAZxc/.
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