Empowering young people through vocational training and environmental education in Sri Lanka – TUI Care Foundation launches new TUI Academy and TUI Junior Academy programmes
TUI Junior Academy Sri Lanka increases access to environmental education and promotes eco-friendly practices to 600 children and their communities
TUI Academy Sri Lanka opens doors to career opportunities in tourism to 250 disadvantaged youth
90 TUI Academy students graduated after the first year with 85% securing employment in the hospitality sector
Environmental education and awareness are critical to the future of Sri Lanka’s ecologically and touristically significant regions of Gampaha, Jaffna, and Nuwara Eliya. Despite the importance of these regions, there is a considerable knowledge gap amongst the local population about the value and vulnerability of their ecosystems. To tackle this issue, the TUI Junior Academy programme, in partnership with Surya Foundation, promotes environmental education and action amongst school children and their families.
Over a two-year period, the programme engages over 600 students in 36 schools across the three regions by implementing eco-centric curricula and hands-on learning experiences. Students engage in local clean-ups and environmental campaigns such as how to reduce meat consumption, tree planting or plastic-free challenges, promoting sustainable living practices within the community.
The programme further engages adults, teachers and parents through a variety of educational opportunities, including webinars, networking events, and online courses on eco-friendly practices and sustainable living. Additionally, it establishes 100 home gardens to teach sustainable food production, fostering a deeper connection with nature and equipping participants with essential gardening and self-sufficiency skills.
The TUI Junior Academy Sri Lanka is part of the international TUI Junior Academy programme, which empowers children to become Eco Champions through environmental education and enables learning opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities in holiday destinations such as Greece, Jamaica, South Africa, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
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About the TUI Care Foundation
Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and initiates projects which create new opportunities and contribute to thriving communities in tourism destinations all over the world. Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, it supports education and training opportunities for young people; drives the protection of natural habitats and the marine environment; and helps local communities to thrive sustainably and benefit from tourism. The TUI Care Foundation builds on strong partnerships with local and international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The independent charitable organisation was founded by TUI, one of the world's leading tourism businesses, and is based in the Netherlands.
About the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The TUI Academy Sri Lanka has been set up with World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance which brings together engaged hospitality companies and uses the collective power of the industry to deliver impact locally and on a global scale. Working with leading hospitality companies and strategic partners to address key challenges affecting our planet and its people, they develop practical resources and programmes to enable the wider industry to operate responsibly and grow sustainably.
About Surya Foundation
Surya Foundation is a registered charity in Sri Lanka, which has been operating since 1992. Its aim is to support and foster social integration in the country through a set of programmes reaching underprivileged members of the society and promoting equal and better access to education, employment opportunities and healthcare (among other crucial aspects for integration). The foundation has a special focus on integration STEM education into its programmes, aligning with the foundation's commitment to providing comprehensive and contemporary learning opportunities.
