What if education could be a powerful force for positive change in our interconnected world? Join us for this GEEP webinar with guest speaker Lausanne Olvitt of Rhodes University (South Africa) for an exploration of how educators everywhere can transform their practice to address today's overlapping global crises—also referred to as the “polycrisis.”

This webinar will explore education as more than just knowledge transfer, but as a form of ethical action that builds toward our shared future. You'll discover three key foundations to impact how you approach education: building meaningful relationships, understanding interconnected systems, and practicing thoughtful self-reflection. Drawing from two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Lausanne will share practical strategies that work across different contexts and examples. 

Whether you're a classroom teacher, curriculum designer, or educational leader, you'll leave with insights on how to align your educational practice to meet the moment. This session is designed for educators who believe that teaching is fundamentally about creating a more just and sustainable world—and who want practical tools to make that vision a reality.

Register here >

Speakers

Lausanne Olvitt | Associate Professor, Rhodes University

Lausanne has worked in the field of Environmental Education since 2002, first in the NGO sector, and then in Higher Education. Starting at Rhodes University in 2004 as an Environmental Education short course coordinator, she is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education. Lausanne has taught across a range of university courses, from teacher professional development short courses, to BEd Honours and Masters programmes. She pioneered the development of the interdisciplinary 'Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Learning’, the first of its kind in Africa which was launched in 2023. Lausanne was the 2024 recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award and she currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Southern African Journal of Environmental Education.
 

Cindy-Lee Cloete (moderator), Chief Executive Officer, Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)

Cindy has over 15 years of experience in creating enabling spaces for Education for Sustainable Development. Growing up on the plains of Namakwaland in South Africa, Cindy understands the importance of the interconnectedness of humans and nature. Selected as one of the first Mandela-Washington Fellows and an active member of the ESD Expert Net, she gained experience in global North-South and global South-South collaborative approaches to bring about holistic and sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges. Cindy grounds her work in social and environmental justice philosophies and prides herself on challenging the current education and youth development status quo. Through her national, continental and international networks, Cindy wants to contribute to reorienting, rethinking, and decolonizing the way we work to care for the earth.