Climate Change & Sustainable Development in Africa: An ASI Summer Institute for Educators

About the event

The African Studies Initiative invites K-16 educators across all subject areas, University of Minnesota faculty, students, staff, and the general audience to join us for an in-person three-day summer Institute on Climate Change & Sustainable Development in Africa. According to a recent article, “due to the widespread impacts of climate change,” Africa is “losing 5% to 15% of its gross domestic product growth annually. Seventeen of the twenty countries most affected by climate change are located in Africa.” What does this have to do with educators, especially K-16 educators in the United States? Because Africa is on the frontlines of climate change, it is the place to look for solutions. During this institute, participants will hear from presenters including climate scholars and experts from universities in Africa, climate activists, development practitioners, and policy analysts. Also, participants, especially K-16 educators, will learn how people in African countries are responding to the challenges of climate change and how US teachers can apply the lessons from their experiences in classrooms across the United States.

Event Dates: 

Tuesday, June 16, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm

Wednesday, June 17, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm

Thursday, June 18, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm

In-Service K-16 Educator participants will receive:

A stipend for developing a plan to incorporate what they learned from the Institute into their lesson plans and classroom practice

Certificate attesting to 13.5 hours of attendance at a professional development activity

All participants will receive:

Parking vouchers to cover the full cost of parking (all attendees)

Breakfast and lunch for all three days

Factsheets for the various African countries featured in presentations and the continent of Africa

Registration is free. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, June 9, 2026.