Education is lifelong for the sustainability of life
Education is a human right and a pathway out of poverty. It is the backbone of development and prosperity, and all children should have the opportunity to go to school.
But learning is also a lifelong endeavour, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has the resources to accompany you on this journey.
Whether you want to know more about sea creatures or you want your children to learn about the importance of trees, we have the publication for you!
Here are five suggestions to get you started – and there is a topic for everyone’s taste:
1. Eating healthy
Is the pursuit of healthy eating a simple path or a tedious road to success? Let’s find out.
In this publication, The Quest for healthy diets, the questions of what to eat and what exactly healthy diets are, may be some of the first thoughts in your mind. You will find out on page two that the answer to what are healthy diets is nuanced but unambiguous. Why? That’s for you to keep reading.
This booklet, available in six languages, breaks down the principles of healthy eating, the solutions to eating better – in global and local contexts– the world’s dwindling dietary diversity and much more. As ultra-processed foods become more normalised and healthy diets become less affordable for many individuals, it is a good time as any to start assessing the foods we put in our body and how they are grown.
2. Identifying jellyfish
Come for the illustrations of these enticing sea creatures but stay for the useful tips on treating stings in case you encounter one in the water!
For those who love marine ecosystems, the Identification Guide to Macro jellyfishes of West Africa may be the perfect fit. It highlights 56 species of macro jellyfish that are known to occur off the coast of West Africa. Learn them by their scientific names, diagnostic features, colours, sizes and more.
For those who may not have learned much about these planktonic animals, did you know their biomass comprises 96 per cent water? Despite their water-based composition, all jellyfish also use venom to catch prey, and some of these are harmful to humans. Read more to find out which ones!
3. Being environmentally friendly from a young age
For the young ones who possess endless imagination and curiosity, FAO brings you Colour with Forest kids. In this woodlands-themed colouring booklet, children can learn fun facts about forests while expressing their creativity through colours.
The booklet also includes a link to an educational and downloadable video game (available in six languages) that guides children on an expedition around the world. It invites virtual travellers to explore four types of forests – boreal, tropical, temperate and arid – while spotting flora and fauna, matching pairs of animals within their biomes and sorting non-wood forest products as they go.
There is also the Plastics Challenge Badge, an educational booklet designed to teach young people about the environmental implications of plastic pollution. Through games and fun activities, children can learn to become active agents of change in their communities.
These are great and fun ways for new generations to learn about the importance of preserving our Earth!
4. Connecting digitalization and agriculture
From Europe to Asia, learn how digitalization is playing a part in agriculture through the stories of these 25 farmers and agripreneurs.
Available in English and Russian, Connected Farmers sheds light on practical solutions that enhance productivity, ensure food security and foster economic development in rural areas.
This publication not only showcases the tangible benefits of digital technologies in agriculture but aims to inspire others to adopt and replicate digital practices and explore new digital solutions on the path towards sustainable development.
5. Understanding the issue of child labour
Child labour happens worldwide and is often difficult to tackle due to factors such as poverty, lack of technology or limited access to infrastructure, schools and markets.
Child labour also infringes on children’s rights to education and can harm their physical, mental and emotional development.
Read Voices from cotton fields to educate yourself on the issues of child labour in agriculture, and find out how the CLEAR Cotton project is supporting the elimination of child labour and forced labour in the cotton, textile and garment value chains in Burkina Faso, Mali and Pakistan.
In celebration of the International Day of Education, let us remember to not take the right and access to education for granted. With about 244 million children and adolescents around the world who are out of school currently, we sometimes forget that this education opportunity is one not everyone has.
No matter your interests, FAO publications offer captivating tales, valuable knowledge and fresh perspectives at your disposal. All our digital publications are free and available to download.
Celebrate learning and self-growth with these to start and who knows, you may be back for more!
For more information visit the website here.