On October 18th, 2024, the DisinformACTION project concluded with its Final Conference at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Romania. This event celebrated the accomplishments of a two-year initiative aimed at equipping young people with the skills to combat climate change misinformation. Attended by educators, policymakers, youth leaders, and partners, the conference highlighted the project's impact, discussed future strategies for youth engagement, and emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to address climate disinformation.
- Significant growth in fact-checking habits: A key metric shared was the increase in students' habit of fact-checking information before sharing it online. This growth underscores the project's success in fostering responsible digital behavior and critical evaluation skills.
- Empowered educators for lasting change: 109 teachers were trained to deliver the Climate Change Ambassadors Methodology, ensuring that the project’s impact continues beyond its formal duration. These teachers will keep guiding students in identifying and challenging disinformation in their communities.
- Increased youth engagement: The percentage of students confident in engaging in online discussions grew from 57.7% to 74.2%, highlighting a stronger sense of agency and willingness to participate in climate-related discussions.
Innovative Methodology: Climate Change Ambassadors
The DisinformACTION project’s methodology was a cornerstone of its success. The Climate Change Ambassadors Methodology served as a comprehensive resource for teachers, combining non-formal education techniques with practical exercises that helped students develop critical thinking skills. This methodology focused on key areas such as:
- Understanding disinformation: Training students to distinguish between misinformation (unintentional falsehoods) and disinformation (intentional manipulation) through interactive workshops.
- Digital campaign skills: Equipping students with the ability to create digital campaigns using tools like Canva, allowing them to advocate for climate action and counter misinformation through impactful online content.
- Hands-on learning: More than 80 workshops were conducted, providing students with the opportunity to apply their media literacy skills in real-world scenarios and develop a sense of digital citizenship.
By engaging directly with teachers and students, the methodology ensured a multiplier effect, extending the reach of the project’s principles to more schools and communities.
The Final Conference
The conference also included a group work session, where participants collaborated to develop recommendations for enhancing youth participation in climate action. The groups focused on actionable strategies, such as:
- Encouraging partnerships: Recommendations included building stronger ties between schools and environmental NGOs to integrate climate education into everyday learning.
- Supporting digital campaigns: Participants emphasized the need for more funding and resources for youth-led digital campaigns that spread accurate climate information.
- Advocating for policy change: Many highlighted the importance of stricter regulations for social media platforms to curb the spread of false information.
The reaction from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many young attendees expressed that they felt more empowered to tackle climate disinformation after engaging with experts and peers at the conference. As one student noted, “I feel more confident in using my voice online to challenge false information, and this event has given me new tools to do so effectively.”
Educators also appreciated the opportunity to connect with other teachers and share best practices for implementing the Climate Change Ambassadors Methodology in their classrooms. The networking lunch provided a relaxed setting for deeper discussions, with many attendees discussing plans for future collaborations.
The DisinformACTION Final Conference was a celebration of what we have accomplished together, but it also served as a reminder that there is much more to be done. The project has successfully laid the groundwork for long-term, sustainable change by equipping young people with the tools they need to become critical thinkers and advocates for the environment. As the conference concluded, it was clear that the connections made and the lessons learned will continue to shape the fight against climate disinformation in the years to come.
We remain committed to supporting the next generation of climate leaders. By building on the momentum generated through this project, we aim to continue driving forward media literacy education and ensuring that youth voices remain central in the conversation about climate change.
🎥🌍 Watch our video from the DisinformACTION Final Conference, where we brought together youth, educators, and experts to tackle one of today’s biggest challenges—climate change misinformation.