On 22 May, at the Liceo Scientifico Statale “Vito Volterra”, the final Info-Day of the school-to-work training programme “A Lesson in Environmental Governance: Discovering Actions for the Mediterranean Sea and Its Coasts” was held. The programme was activated by the school in collaboration with the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Information and Communication (INFO/RAC) and organised by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)..
The initiative took place within the framework of the International Day for Biological Diversity and marked the conclusion of a training pathway dedicated to environmental governance of the Mediterranean Sea and the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, with the aim of raising awareness among students on issues related to sustainability and environmental protection. Around 60 students took part in the event, presenting the content developed during the project and taking part in the testing of the educational game “GAMed”, developed by INFO/RAC also with the direct contribution of the participating students.
The training programme
Now in its fourth edition, the course involved 18 students with the aim of deepening their understanding of the functioning of the main national and international institutions engaged in environmental protection and Mediterranean governance.
Launched on 18 March and structured into 22 hours of training, the programme addressed key topics such as the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the Barcelona Convention, and the role of institutions including the European Environment Agency (EEA), the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), and ISPRA, with a specific focus on the activities of the Regional Activity Centres and INFO/RAC.
Alongside theoretical lessons, the project included workshop-based activities and the production of educational materials, promoting a participatory and practice-oriented approach. One of the main new features of this edition was the development of the educational game “GAMed”, created with the active contribution of the students.
The educational game GAMed
During the Info-Day, “GAMed” was presented and tested. It is an educational game developed by INFO/RAC with the contribution of the students involved in the programme.
The game is an interactive tool designed to introduce participants to key aspects of Mediterranean environmental governance. Through a simple and participatory approach, it allows students to explore the main concepts related to the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the Barcelona Convention, and the work of the Regional Activity Centres.
GAMed combines questions, learning moments, and scenarios linked to the marine environment, fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning experience and turning the content of the training programme into a concrete and engaging activity.
The final Info-Day
The event represented the concluding moment of the training pathway, during which students presented the outcomes of their work and shared the knowledge acquired.
The initiative highlighted the value of cooperation between schools, institutions, and international organisations in promoting environmental sustainability and Ocean Literacy, offering young participants a concrete opportunity for active citizenship on Mediterranean conservation issues.
Representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and INFO/RAC also took part in the event, supporting the activities as tutors and facilitators. The day concluded with a workshop session of the GAMed game, involving students divided into teams.