Festo_Sustainability-Report_2020

8. Technical training and Corporate Educational Responsibility 8.2 Water management In addition to the energy topics already presented, water is of great importance for people and the environment – because water is life. Nevertheless, 80 per cent of the water used worldwide ends up untreated in the environment. This endangers not only biodiver- sity, but also the drinkable water for the world’s population. Man- agement skills, expertise in service and maintenance routines and efficient processes will play a major role going forward. Here, train- ing in water technology management is the most important lever. Several learning solutions from Festo Didactic in combination with Festo Water Management help to protect this precious resource more efficiently. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of nine e-learning modules from the water technology programme were offered free of charge through various initiatives and platforms. The e-learning modules cover different aspects of the water cycle and water management, including topics such as water treatment and supply as well as wastewater transport and the treatment of wastewater. In addi- tion, numerous in-person training courses were converted to online training courses. These online services are to be maintained in the future. Africa Cloud – atingi The Africa Cloud – called ‘atingi’ – is an international cooperation of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Smart Africa Alliance and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The e-learning platform pro- vides young people with free learning content and networking opportunities. Festo Didactic has offered nine water management e-learning modules for the Africa Cloud within this framework. More than 130 young people have already taken advantage of the offer. The aim is to get them excited about training in the water sector.  SDG 6 UNESCO – Global Education Coalition (GEC) The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the education sector hard. Schools and universities were closed all over the world. To ensure continu- ity of learning, the Global Education Coalition was therefore founded in March 2020. As part of this UNESCO initiative, we have decided to make a total of nine water management e-learning modules available to the general public in English and French.  SDG 4 UNESCO-UNEVOC The UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC) is responsible for setting up the Global Skills Academy. At the Global Skills Academy, free, high-quality online training is provided by members of the Global Education Coalition. These online training courses can help young people gain qualifications for employability. That is why we are also making nine e-learning modules on water management available globally here. In addition, UNESCO-UNEVOC centres inspire education and training for water and sanitation technicians worldwide.  SDG 4.3 , SDG 6 Association for the Development of Education in Africa – ADEA Ministries of education are being urged by Festo Didactic to engage in cooperation with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). ADEA supports digital learning and training to reach the African education system with the aim of pre- paring young people for their future in the world of work. As Festo Didactic is a leader in technical education and training, we are seen as advisers to African ministries of education. Through our membership in the ADEA Board of Directors, we look forward to fulfilling our role as advisers in the years to come. 8. Technical training and Corporate Educational Responsibility 70 71 Festo SE & Co. KG Sustainability Report 2020 Festo SE & Co. KG Sustainability Report 2020