An initiative by the Viraçao&Jangada association led by Paulo Lima
Once again this year, we are delighted to share the project My School at COP31 in Turkey, promoted by the Viração&Jangada association, led by Paulo Lima, who, like our scientific director Alfonso Molina, is also an Ashoka Fellow.
Year 9 pupils and all Year 10 and Year 11 pupils can register by 30 September 2026 for “My School at COP31 in Turkey”, the programme that takes pupils inside the United Nations climate negotiations. Participation is free of charge.
“My School at COP31 in Turkey” forms part of the “Global Minds for Global Spaces” project and is promoted by the association Viração&Jangada, in collaboration with the Provincial Agency for Environmental Protection (APPA) of the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Fontana ETS Foundation and the Consortium of Piedmontese NGOs, as part of the Connect for Global Change programme. The project is carried out with the support of the Cassa Centrale Group – Credito Cooperativo Italiano, Banca Trentino-Südtirol, Cova Cucine, the European Union and the Piedmont Region, through the Consortium of Piedmontese NGOs, as part of the Connect for Global Change programme.
The 31st Conference of the Parties on climate change is being held in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November 2026. The live link-up with schools is scheduled for the final day of the conference: classes will hear a summary of the negotiations as they draw to a close.
The schedule
Friday 23 October, 6.00–7.00 pm
Online training for teachers – How to explore the UN climate negotiations in the classroom and presentation of teaching resources.
Friday 30 October, 11.00 am–12.00 pm
Online training for pupils – The climate crisis and an overview of the climate negotiations.
Friday 20 November, 11.00–12.00
Live conference from Antalya – A discussion with climatologist Luca Mercalli and the young observers attending COP31, to take stock of the negotiations.
What teachers and registered classes receive
- Access to the project’s dedicated website and a collection of teaching resources at www.viracaoejangada.org/cop31.
- A certificate of participation valid for the purposes of recognised professional development, issued by Edulia Treccani Scuola or by IPRASE, the Provincial Institute for Educational Research and Experimentation of the Autonomous Province of Trento.
- The opportunity to follow the negotiations live, facilitated by researchers and accredited young observers.
“Following a COP from the classroom changes the way young people view the climate crisis. It ceases to be a subject to be studied and becomes a negotiation between countries, with conflicting interests and decisions to be made. We do not promise classes a lesson on the climate, but a front-row seat whilst negotiations take place,” says Paulo Lima, project coordinator for Viração&Jangada.
Fifteen years of schools at the Climate Conferences
Viração&Jangada has been following the United Nations Climate Conferences for fifteen years through the Youth Press Agency, a project that promotes youth leadership through the creative use of the media. Over the course of this initiative, the association has supported over one hundred young people in taking part directly in the COPs.
Who supports the project
The project is carried out with the support of the Cassa Centrale Group – Credito Cooperativo Italiano, Banca Trentino-Südtirol, Cova Cucine, the European Union and the Piedmont Region through the Consortium of Piedmontese NGOs, as part of the Connect for Global Change programme.
Among others, the following organisations are collaborating on the initiative: the Jean Monnet European Centre at the University of Trento, the Trento Science Museum (MUSE), Scuola Sconfinata, Edulia Treccani Scuola, Parole Ostili, Associazione Verso, Clima 3T, Fondazione Mondo Digitale, the Italian Climate Network, the Young Ambassadors Society, Associazione A Sud, Ashoka Italia, Focsiv, the Italian Association for Media and Communication Education (MED), the Meteorology Festival, the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at the University of Padua, the GISHub Association, the Mediterranean Centre for Intercultural Education, the Save the Children Youth Movement, InVentoLab, Casco Learning, Teach For Italy, FArete, MLAL and San Martin.
How to register
To register, please complete the online form by 30 September. Participation is free for schools.
