A sustainability week event titled "The Key to Transformation in Education for Sustainability: Awareness, Collaboration, and Action 2" was organized at KAEU. Sustainability refers to the ability to live without compromising the rights of future generations. The three main components of sustainability are environmental, social, and economic. For our world to remain sustainable and continue its capacity to exist, we must adhere to environmental, social, and economic sustainability principles. Within this framework, an event was planned to be held on May 29–30, 2025 at the Neşet Ertaş Hall and foyer area of the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center, in collaboration with the Department of Preschool Education at the Faculty of Education and the Sustainability Coordination Office of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. The event was attended by Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Secretary General Dr. Hüseyin İlter, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şule Alıcı, as well as many academic and administrative staff and students.
In the opening speech of the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şule Alıcı emphasized that the sustainability week activities are significant for leaving behind a healthy and livable world for future generations. Stressing that sustainability can contribute more effectively to educating society through environmental education starting from early childhood, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alıcı referred to the outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. She noted that the climate crisis has now become a serious threat to our planet, and the way to overcome this threat lies in the education provided to students starting from childhood. She concluded by thanking everyone who contributed to the organization of this meaningful event.
Speaking at the event, Vice Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş stated that sustainability means being able to meet our own needs while considering the needs of future generations. In other words, it is the reflection of the Quran: “Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely Allah does not like the wasteful.” Prof. Dr. Güneş said, “As humanity, I believe that we must leave behind a world where economic, ecological, and social conditions can be sustained for future generations.” He continued his speech by stating that our world is currently facing global crises such as climate change, the unnecessary consumption of resources, and the loss of biodiversity. Emphasizing the need to build a conscious and sensitive society to solve these problems, Prof. Dr. Güneş expressed his gratitude to the 3rd-year students of the Preschool Education program and the Sustainability Coordination Office for their contributions to organizing the event.
Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya, who delivered the final speech of the event, stated that the fundamental requirement for sustainability is to create awareness in society, and that this can only be achieved by educating our children from an early age. Continuing his speech, İsmail Çetinkaya emphasized that every effort made toward sustainability is highly valuable, and that with global warming and other environmental issues, maintaining ecological balance is one of the most fundamental challenges our world faces. He also highlighted the importance of supporting events that can raise such awareness in our province, and thanked all the students who contributed to organizing the event.
The event continued with the presentation of a gift to Firdevs Günay, a student from the Graphic Design Department of Mucur Vocational School, who won first place in the sustainability logo design competition, the performance of a prepared drama show, and visits to the stands by participants. The event will remain open for two more days at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center for those who wish to visit.
