Here’s a bold statement: our education systems are failing us—and the planet. But what if the solution has been right under our noses, rooted in nature itself? Dr. Dickson Adom, Director and Lead Campaigner of the Rights of Nature-Ghana Movement (RoNAG), is at the forefront of a global movement that’s turning this idea into reality. As a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Innovations in Science and Technology at KNUST, Dr. Adom has helped launch a groundbreaking initiative: the Salzburg Statement on Nature-Based Education (NBE). This isn’t just another policy document—it’s a call to revolutionize how we learn, live, and connect with the natural world.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Can education systems, often criticized for their rigidity, truly embrace nature as their core? Dr. Adom, supported by the Gower Street Trust, believes they can—and must. As a Salzburg Global Fellow, he played a pivotal role in drafting the statement, which was unveiled on November 18, 2025, after a high-level session in Austria. The document positions NBE as a “feasible, immediate, and hopeful solution” to the intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, social injustice, and outdated educational models.
And this is the part most people miss: NBE isn’t just about outdoor lessons or planting trees. It’s about integrating Indigenous knowledge and ancestral wisdom into the very fabric of education. During the launch, Dr. Adom, an expert in Indigenous Knowledge at KNUST, emphasized that for NBE to be transformative, it must honor and incorporate these ancient systems. He also championed the need for a global standard metric to measure progress in ecocentric learning—a call echoed in the statement’s roadmap.
“We need a synthesis of knowledges from across the world,” Dr. Adom explained. “Indigenous wisdom, academic insights, and professional expertise must come together to redefine what it means to be an ecological citizen.” This isn’t just about being in nature—it’s about becoming part of nature, in a way that’s measurable and meaningful.
The Salzburg Statement outlines a Continuum of Nature-Based Education, progressing from learning in nature, to learning with nature, to taking action for nature, and ultimately, to understanding oneself as nature. It sets ambitious goals, like greening one million schoolyards by 2040 and embedding NBE into national policies. But it doesn’t stop there—it challenges us to rethink our relationship with the planet entirely.
Here’s the question that sparks debate: Can we truly measure our connection to nature? And if so, how? Dr. Adom’s push for a global indicator invites us to grapple with these questions. The statement concludes with a powerful call to action: “Rebuilding our connection to nature is an urgent and achievable priority that will transform learning, improve well-being, and help create a regenerative future.”
About the Salzburg Global Seminar: This independent organization is dedicated to inspiring leaders to shape a better world. Its multi-year program, Education for Tomorrow’s World, brings together diverse stakeholders to reimagine learning for the 21st century. Ready to dive deeper? Download the Salzburg Statement and join the conversation:
https://www.salzburgglobal.org/newsroom/latest-news/the-salzburg-statement-on-nature-based-education
What do you think? Is Nature-Based Education the transformative solution we need, or is it an idealistic dream? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a global dialogue!
