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Report from the LfS Scotland Jan – Dec 2019 AGM

Sun 2nd February 2020 - Courses & Events Summaries, LfS Scotland Updates

Our 2019 Annual General Meeting, held on Friday 10 January 2020 at Moray House, Edinburgh University had a timely theme – Feeling the Pressure: planetary health, participatory democracy and you. With awareness of the climate and nature crisis rising in Scotland, and the upcoming arrival of the critical COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in November 2020, more than seventy members came to explore these issues, discuss the future work of Learning for Sustainability Scotland, network and learn new skills.

LfS Scotland’s Chairperson Rehema White, Director Pete Higgins and Development Manager Betsy King set out the global and national context and shared LfS Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability activities in 2019. You can read more in the 2019 LfS Scotland Annual Report. At our AGM, we like to ensure attendees have the chance to hear and get involved in interesting – and practical – discussions. Round table discussions gave members a chance to discuss current and potential future LfS Scotland Task Groups.

‘Shaping the next generation of global citizens showcased teacher Keri Reid and pupils Martha and Jessica from Muthill Primary, Perth and Kinross, who shared their inspiring Connecting Classrooms journey. The school has collaborated with the Juliet Johnston School in Ghana for over 10 years, working on Learning for Sustainability together. You can hear their wonderful collaborative  ‘Global Goals Song’ on YouTube.

There was the choice of two from these three Skills for Engagement workshops:

  • Preparing for COP26 Caroline Rance, Friends of the Earth Scotland 
  • Engaging communities in environmental and social justice Eurig Scandrett, Queen Margaret University) 
  • Dealing with Eco-Anxiety Rehema White, University of St Andrews

A tasty vegan networking lunch was combined with the opportunity to meet students from Levenmouth Academy and hear about their exciting plans for rewilding unused playing field land

After sincere thanks to outgoing Steering Group members, Pete announced that the newly elected Steering Group members 2020-22 would be: Andrew Samuel (University of Abertay); Dee Bird (Scottish Funding Council); Duncan Zuill (Levenmouth Academy); Fritha Gilbert (Fife Pupil Support Services); Laura Curtis-Moss (Edinburgh Science); Rehema White (University of St Andrews); Sara Smith (Royal Highland Education Trust) and Ullrich Kockel (Heriot-Watt University).

A fascinating session with RSE Young Academy of Scotland members Alice Konig and Peter McColl proved an excellent way to get our members thinking about Responsible Debate for a Sustainable Future and feeding into an active ongoing process.

Rehema wrapped up the day by reflecting on the key points from the day, and looking forward to future action. Thanks to all our presenters and members for helping to make it such an enjoyable and energising day.


Please click on the links below for presentations and workshop notes.

To find out more about the work of LfS Scotland, participate in one of the collaborative working groups (Task Groups) or suggest something you’d like to get involved in then please do get in touch (enquiries@lfsscotland.org)