In this day and age, the key to the success, survival, and all-around development of global societies lies in preserving the environment. Even though the approach to the environment might be different in various communities with regards to underground resources, weather, forests, pastures, etc. They are at the same time locally, regionally, and globally linked, which requires efforts, awareness, and national and international education to maintain and develop. Considering the importance of this issue, UNESCO, as the torchbearer of international activities, looks at the chair of environmental education and other related chairs for possible solutions to Iran’s environmental problems. The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Education at Payame Noor University aims to achieve the following goals with research, education, and cultural approach:
- Improving the national status of environmental education through educational and research activities
- Identification and cooperation with national and international institutions, specialized research and development organizations, non-governmental associations, environmental researchers, knowledge-based organizations and various UNESCO chairs in Iran and the region.
- Defining and carrying out educational and research projects in various environmental fields
- Cooperation with other UNESCO chairs at the national and international level through meeting, accepting and implementing their educational programs and exchanging speakers, lecturers, students and researchers with them.
- Development and promotion of culture, ethics and environmental values to preserve the environment
- Creating and expanding interdisciplinary university environmental education courses jointly at the national, regional and international levels and creating study opportunities for students of the doctoral course in environmental education
- Holding conferences and meetings of like-mindedness at the national, regional and international levels
- Sending students and researchers to general and specialized UNESCO workshops to exchange experience and scientific synergy
- Promoting authentic environmental literacy through publishing magazines, books and newsletters and producing electronic content
- Creating a national environmental education hub