Latin America and the Caribbean
Spring’s Seeds. Exercising the Citizenship since Childhood, Brazil
The aim of the project is to create conditions for the exercise of citizenship since childhood, being allowed that the children and adolescents are citizens with voice and active participation in the construction of the school and the city where they live, contributing to become an educator, socially equitable and sustainable. The contributions of the children shall be integrated into the eco-political-pedagogical project of schools and to the educational policies of the city, being emphasized the education as right of the child, the adolescent and the young. The proposals of socio-ambient intervention constructed by the children who participate in the project are the result of an intense process of defining problems of the lived reality. To stimulate the changes of attitude and behaviour of all the school community, such suggestions are incorporated to the Eco-Political-Pedagogical Project (PEPP) of the Educational Units of Osasco, in the way that the different social actors are involved in the action plans for concretisation of actions of infant-youthful protection. 101 schools are participating in this project.
Sistema Nacional de Certificación Ambiental de Establecimientos Educativos, Chile
During 2003 the Ministry of Education, the National Commission for the environment, the National Forestry Corporation, UNESCO and the Chilean Association of Municipalities, signed the collaboration agreement to jointly undertake in the implementation of the National Environmental Certification of Educational Establishments (SNCAE). During the year 2008, the General Directorate of Waters (DGA), also joined this collaborative effort together.
During the period 2003- 2008 have joined more than 1,000 educational establishments to SNCAE across the country, benefiting 400,000 students who are at different levels of progress in its educational and environmental strategies. Of these, it is estimated that 500 will be environmentally certified by the end of 2009.
The SNCAE provides indicators of environmental quality for three areas of education: teaching; management and scope of relations with the environment. These three areas should be working from a holistic perspective, cross the environmental issues arising from local environments. We want to generate the knowledge and action, through the contextualization of educational content, the involvement of the authorities of the school through the use of environmental management and the generation of recovery and conservation in their living spaces.
During 2007 the process SNCAE had an update, with three levels (Basic, Medium and Excellence) seeking enable establishments, according to their different experiences, may be moving in gradually and continuously from a lower level of complexity to one of excellence level.
National Program of Environmental Education, Columbia
The national program of Environmental Education describes the strategy of the Colombian government for the institutionalization of Environmental Education in Colombia at both local and national level. The program aims at developing a conceptual framework and methodology which shall guide environmental education. To this end research on an ongoing basis shall be established the results of which shall be disseminated. Environmental Education shall be incorporated at all levels of education, including disaster prevention and management education. The program already started in 1992 and has made some progress so far. Environmental education has been integrated into the legal framework, a strategy for implementation has been adopted, and a permanent research program has been established. Half of the regions of Colombia are part of the project, 22 publications on Environmental Education were issued, about 5.000 teachers have formed coordination centers in the region and 2.500 educational institutions have introduced Environmental School Projects.
Education, protection and solution of environmental problems and prevention of natural disasters, Cuba
The initiative aims at integrating education on environmental protection and disaster prevention into the Cuban educational system, and more precisely in regions at risk such as the river Cuaguateje and Toa and the National Parks Guanahacabibes and Viñales. Educational programs on Environment and Disaster Prevention are designed for teachers and community leaders starting from a survey of the environmental problems of communities in the area. Environmental issues shall be integrated on all levels of education and environmental education of teachers is to be strengthened. Risk maps are developed and Risk Management Centres created. Environmental activities in schools are promoted and created. Families and communities shall be involved to the same extent as students. Educational material and research shall be developed. The overarching goal is to achieve broad knowledge of environmental issues and disaster prevention among the population in the affected areas.
- © Sandwatch
Sandwatch Project, international
Sandwatch seeks to modify the lifestyle and habits of children, youth and adults on a community-wide basis and to develop awareness of the fragile nature of the marine and coastal environment and the need to use it wisely. It is an educational process through which school students and community members learn and work together to scientifically measure changes and critically evaluate the problems and conflicts facing their beach environments, and then to develop and implement sustainable approaches to address these issues. The Project provides opportunities for students and communities to be actively involved in the management and wise use of the coastal environment.
