IOELL Syllabus & Assessments
Preparing for IOELL, just like any other Olympiad, requires dedication and effort. The questions are set to test your competence in English language and test your four skills such as Written, Reading, Listening & Speaking. Through the assessments of these four skills, your leadership traits and command over the current affairs of the world will also be judged.
Syllabus for the participants
As mentaioned earlier, the International Olympiad on Empowerment, Language & Leadership focuses on a theme related to one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) each year. This year’s theme is climate action and empowerment.
Since the Olympiad is designed for students across different grade levels, it is important to tailor the content and difficulty level of the assessments to each category. However, all students should have a foundational understanding of the theme and related issues in order to participate effectively in the assessments.
Overall, the focus of the Olympiad should be on empowering students to become global citizens who are aware of the challenges facing our planet and equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a positive difference.
For Group 1, you could focus on introducing basic concepts related to climate change and sustainability, such as the importance of recycling, conserving energy, and reducing waste. You could also encourage students to explore their own local environment and identify ways to reduce their environmental impact.
For Group 2, you could delve deeper into the science of climate change, the impacts it is having on the planet, and the potential solutions. You could also explore issues related to climate justice and the unequal distribution of environmental harm and benefits.
For Group 3, you could examine the policy and political dimensions of climate change, including international agreements like the Paris Agreement, and the role of individual and collective action in achieving sustainability goals. You could also explore topics like green technology, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.
Introduction to Climate Change and ACE
- Overview of climate change: causes, impacts, and challenges
- Introduction to the concept of ACE and its significance in addressing climate change
- Understanding the linkages between ACE and sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Climate Resilience and Vulnerable Communities
- Understanding the vulnerabilities of vulnerable communities to climate change impacts
- Exploring the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of climate resilience
- Case studies on successful climate resilience initiatives in vulnerable communities
Feasible and Sustainable Solutions for ACE
- Introduction to different types of feasible and sustainable solutions for ACE
- Examples of best practices and innovative approaches for building climate resilience in vulnerable communities
- Evaluating the feasibility, sustainability, and scalability of climate solutions
Participatory Approaches and Local Empowerment
- Understanding the importance of participatory approaches in ACE
- Exploring strategies for engaging local communities in climate decision-making processes
- Case studies on successful community-led initiatives for climate adaptation and mitigation
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
- Introduction to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land management practices
- Exploring ecosystem-based approaches for climate resilience in agriculture and natural resource management
- Evaluating the potential of climate-smart agriculture and natural resource management practices in vulnerable communities
Renewable Energy Access and Energy Efficiency
- Understanding the role of renewable energy and energy efficiency in mitigating climate change impacts
- Exploring decentralized renewable energy solutions and energy-efficient technologies
- Evaluating the feasibility and potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in vulnerable communities
Climate Education and Awareness at the Local Level
- Importance of climate education and awareness in building climate resilience
- Designing effective climate education programs for local communities
- Evaluating the impact of climate education and awareness initiatives in vulnerable communities
Social Inclusion and Equity in Climate Decision-Making
- Understanding the significance of social inclusion and equity in climate decision-making
- Strategies for promoting inclusive and participatory climate governance
- Evaluating the effectiveness of social inclusion and equity in climate decision-making in vulnerable communities
Developing Sustainable Solutions for ACE
- Guided group work to develop feasible and sustainable solutions for ACE based on the concepts learned throughout the program
- Mentoring and feedback sessions to refine and improve the solutions
- Presentations and discussions on the developed solutions
Final Presentations and Evaluation
- Final presentations of the developed solutions by each group
- Evaluation of the solutions based on criteria such as feasibility, sustainability, local empowerment, and alignment with ACE principles
- Selection of winning solutions and announcement of the results
Assessments of Participants
Day 1:
Speaking: Topic related to the syllabus and theme will be given one day before this assessment. Participants will be asked to deliver a short speech (2 to 3 minutes). The judgement panel will ask questions based on the speech of the participant which the participant must answer.
Listening: Participant will have to listen to an audio clip (1 to 2 minute) relevant to the syllabus and theme. Questions will be set on the basis of the audio clip. The questions should assess both comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Writing: Participant will have to formal document, advocating for a specific action related to the theme or syllabus. The document should be well-organized and persuasive, and should clearly explain why the proposed action is necessary and how it will benefit the community. Also, 3 open-ended questions will be set based on the theme and syllabus.
Reading: Participants will be given an article or a comprehension with follow-up questions based on the theme and syllabus. Skills such as comprehension, critical thinking, and application, will be tested.
Day 1
Speaking: Topic related to the syllabus and theme will be given one day before this assessment. Participants will be asked to deliver a short speech (3 to 4 minutes). The judgement panel will ask questions based on the speech of the participant which the participant must answer.
Listening: Participant will have to listen to an audio clip (3 to 4 minute) relevant to the syllabus and theme. Questions will be set on the basis of the audio clip. The questions should assess both comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Reading: Participant will be provided with an article or news story about a climate action or sustainability initiative in a different part of the world, and have them compare and contrast that initiative with one in their own community. The comparison should include an analysis of the similarities and differences in the approach, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced in each context.
Day 2:
Writing: Participant will be given a topic relevant to syllabus and theme of the Olympiad on Day 1. The participant has to prepare a report within 500 to 750 words. The paper has to be well-researched and organized, and should include proper citations to credible sources. The document will be submitted in soft copy version to the convener of the Olympiad.
Day 1:
Listening: Participant will have to listen to an audio clip (5 to 6 minutes) relevant to the syllabus and theme. Questions will be set on the basis of the audio clip. The questions should assess both comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Reading: Participants will be given a 1000 words case related to the theme or the syllabus. The case will have perspectives from different countries. The participant will have to answer questions that is relevant to the case.
Day 2
Speaking: A broader topic will be given to the participant on which the participant has to research on. The broader topic will be based on the theme and syllabus. The participant will be asked to deliver a persuasive speech of 5 minutes on a smaller aspect of the broader topic. The speech must have evidence to support his/her words. The judge will ask the participant to address potential counterarguments after his/her speech as well.
Writing: Participant will be asked to write a document (750 to 1000 words) on a topic which will be disclosed one day prior to this assessment. The document has to be well-researched and well-argued, and should appeal to a broad audience. The document will be submitted in soft copy version to the convener of the Olympiad.
Day 1:
Listening: Participant will have to listen to an audio clip (8 to 10 minutes) relevant to the syllabus and theme. Questions will be set on the basis of the audio clip. The questions should assess both comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Reading: Participants will be given a 2000 words case related to the theme or the syllabus. The case will have perspectives from different countries. The participant will have to answer questions that is relevant to the case.
Day 2:
Speaking (will take place in both day 1 and 2): Sustainability Idea Challenge
- Team Formation: Teams will be formed with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 members, each of the participants will belong to the same country.
- Problem Statement: Participants will be provided with a specific climate change problem related to ACE that requires feasible and sustainable solutions. The possible problem statements are: Lack of Accessible and Inclusive Climate Education and Action for Marginalized Communities, Insufficient Youth Engagement in Climate Action and Decision-Making Processes, Disparities in Access to Climate Information and Education, Challenges in Scaling Up Climate Solutions for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Addressing Gender Inequality in Climate Action: Empowering Women and Girls as Agents of Change, Building Climate Resilience in Vulnerable Communities: Empowering Local Solutions for Adaptation and Mitigation
- Idea Generation: Teams will brainstorm, research, and develop innovative ideas to address the given problem.
- Solution Presentation: Teams will prepare and submit their ideas in the form of a presentation, outlining the problem, proposed solution, implementation plan, and potential impact. The duration of the presentation is maximum 7 minutes followed by question answer sessions. Each of the team members have to speak/present during the presentation.
- Evaluation: A panel of judges, comprising experts in the field of climate change and ACE, will evaluate the submissions based on criteria such as feasibility, sustainability, impact, and innovation.
- Winner Announcement: The winning team will be announced based on the evaluation results, and awards/prizes will be presented.
Assessment Methodology for the Speaking Segment:
- Solution Feasibility (30%)
- Assessment of the practicality and viability of the proposed solution in addressing the identified climate change problem related to ACE
- Evaluation of the potential for implementation, scalability, and replicability of the solution
- Consideration of the economic, social, and environmental feasibility of the solution
- Sustainability (30%)
- Assessment of the long-term sustainability of the proposed solution in terms of its impact on climate resilience, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability
- Evaluation of the strategies for ensuring the solution’s sustainability beyond the competition timeline
- Consideration of the potential risks and challenges associated with the solution and the proposed mitigation measures
- Innovation and Creativity (15%)
- Assessment of the level of innovation and creativity demonstrated in the proposed solution
- Evaluation of the originality and uniqueness of the solution in addressing the identified climate change problem related to ACE
- Consideration of the potential for disruptive or transformative change through the proposed solution
- Local Empowerment (15%)
- Assessment of the degree to which the proposed solution promotes local empowerment and engages vulnerable communities in climate decision-making processes
- Evaluation of the inclusivity and participation of local stakeholders, particularly those from vulnerable communities, in the development and implementation of the solution
- Consideration of the strategies for building local capacity and ownership in the solution
- Presentation and Communication (10%)
- Assessment of the clarity, coherence, and effectiveness of the presentation of the proposed solution
- Evaluation of the ability of the participants to effectively communicate the key concepts, relevance, and potential impact of the solution
- Consideration of the visual aids, oral communication skills, and overall presentation quality
Writing: Participant will write a formal document (1000 to 1500 words) as the premier climate action official of your country addressing a climate challenge. The topic will be given one day prior the assessment. The document will be submitted in soft copy version to the convener of the Olympiad.
