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On November 20, 2024, at the World Science Forum in Budapest, Hungary, the impactful work of the received global recognition with the prestigious UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize. This distinguished award honors outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and sustainable development, celebrating NaDEET's transformative efforts in empowering communities and promoting eco-conscious practices in one of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems. It includes a US$100,000 award. 

NaDEET's philosophy is straightforward: it’s not enough to tell people to care for the environment; you must show them how. Cooking meals with solar ovens, conserving water through ingenious bucket showers, and recycling waste are not merely lessons—they’re lived experiences for every participant. From its base in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, NaDEET offers immersive programs that go beyond traditional teaching. On the UNESCO Green Citizens podcast, co-founder Viktoria Keding, recalls the moment she became aware of the disconnect between teaching about environmental conservation and actually practicing it.  

Over 16,000 Namibians have participated in ±·²¹¶Ù·¡·¡°Õ’s programs, many leaving with a transformed understanding of their relationship with the environment. ±·²¹¶Ù·¡·¡°Õ’s influence is felt not only in the hearts of its participants but also in the policies of Namibia. From 2017 to 2019, it played a pivotal role in crafting Namibia’s National Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development (EE/ESD) Policy, the first standalone policy of its kind in southern Africa. This landmark policy serves as a blueprint for integrating sustainability into education across the nation.