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Environment?! Program
ECO 2000 - Pernik
Background
ECO 2000 looks upon the existing environmental problems as a complex system of economic, social, cultural, political and other aspects. Only a highly educated society with strong environmental awareness and good understanding of environmental issues, capable of making judgments for the optimum solutions can face the present-day challenges. The Environment?! Program implements the preventive principle of approaching environmental problems and works for integrating young people in the life of the town. Its main objectives are:
- to establish a focused and systematic educational activity, which involves the high school students with demonstrated interest in environmental protection and decision making;
- to create a long term interest in the principles of sustainable development;
- to stimulate the creative activity of young people and encourage their participation in environmental projects in partnership with local authorities and institutions.
ECO 2000 looks upon the existing environmental problems as a complex system of economic, social, cultural, political and other aspects. Only a highly educated society with strong environmental awareness and good understanding of environmental issues, capable of making judgments for the optimum solutions can face the present-day challenges. The Environment?! Program implements the preventive principle of approaching environmental problems and works for integrating young people in the life of the town. Its main objectives are:
- to establish a focused and systematic educational activity, which involves the high school students with demonstrated interest in environmental protection and decision making;
- to create a long term interest in the principles of sustainable development;
- to stimulate the creative activity of young people and encourage their participation in environmental projects in partnership with local authorities and institutions.
Practice
In April 1999 ECO 2000, in cooperation with the Municipality of Pernik and the Regional Inspectorate of the Ministry of Environment and Waters, starts the publication of a monthly bulletin about the environmental state of the town of Pernik. The motto of the bulletin is: We can make Pernik beautiful and cleaner - let`s unite our efforts! . The bulletin features information about the current state of the components of the environment in the town of Pernik, and compares them with the standard admissible concentrations, commenting on the direct and indirect threats to the environment and human health. The What should we know about section discusses various topics connected with the environment, such as What should we know about the ozone? , What is the greenhouse effect? , Why is Pernik one of the places with highest percentage of respiratory diseases in Bulgaria? , What is sustainable development? etc. The bulletin also includes information about various environmental programs and competitions announced. The activities connected with the publishing and dissemination of the bulletin are conducted together with students from several high schools in Pernik. In this way ECO 2000 supports the activity of the informal students` groups on the territory of the schools.
The ECO 2000 approach in their cooperative work with students, environmentalists and the local community is based on work in teams, where participants skills complement each other and improve at the same time. In this process, ECO 2000 plays the role of a facilitator of the research and creative initiatives of the young people. It is an organisation which lobbies for the right of the young generations to participate in the environmental and sustainable development decision making of the Municipality of Pernik.
The publication of the newsletter encourages and develops students critical thinking skills. The preliminary research which students conduct on the topics for each forthcoming issue place them in a real situation, where they act as interviewers, researchers, team leaders or members of groups explaining and persuading the community to solve particular problems. Through these activities students develop their skills for communicating with local government and state institutions. Each issue of the bulletin is produced by a different students` team.
In the course of implementing the Program all three components of learning are present - cognitive (ecology and environmental protection concepts), appreciative (research of values connected with a certain issue), and behavioral (practical citizens actions), at times simultaneously. Working with adults helps students understand the many variables affecting the decision making process in the real world. Also, links and cooperation between schools and the community are encouraged. Students gradually gain confidence that their involvement could influence the quality of life in the town and is appreciated by the different social groups.
In April 1999 ECO 2000, in cooperation with the Municipality of Pernik and the Regional Inspectorate of the Ministry of Environment and Waters, starts the publication of a monthly bulletin about the environmental state of the town of Pernik. The motto of the bulletin is: We can make Pernik beautiful and cleaner - let`s unite our efforts! . The bulletin features information about the current state of the components of the environment in the town of Pernik, and compares them with the standard admissible concentrations, commenting on the direct and indirect threats to the environment and human health. The What should we know about section discusses various topics connected with the environment, such as What should we know about the ozone? , What is the greenhouse effect? , Why is Pernik one of the places with highest percentage of respiratory diseases in Bulgaria? , What is sustainable development? etc. The bulletin also includes information about various environmental programs and competitions announced. The activities connected with the publishing and dissemination of the bulletin are conducted together with students from several high schools in Pernik. In this way ECO 2000 supports the activity of the informal students` groups on the territory of the schools.
The ECO 2000 approach in their cooperative work with students, environmentalists and the local community is based on work in teams, where participants skills complement each other and improve at the same time. In this process, ECO 2000 plays the role of a facilitator of the research and creative initiatives of the young people. It is an organisation which lobbies for the right of the young generations to participate in the environmental and sustainable development decision making of the Municipality of Pernik.
The publication of the newsletter encourages and develops students critical thinking skills. The preliminary research which students conduct on the topics for each forthcoming issue place them in a real situation, where they act as interviewers, researchers, team leaders or members of groups explaining and persuading the community to solve particular problems. Through these activities students develop their skills for communicating with local government and state institutions. Each issue of the bulletin is produced by a different students` team.
In the course of implementing the Program all three components of learning are present - cognitive (ecology and environmental protection concepts), appreciative (research of values connected with a certain issue), and behavioral (practical citizens actions), at times simultaneously. Working with adults helps students understand the many variables affecting the decision making process in the real world. Also, links and cooperation between schools and the community are encouraged. Students gradually gain confidence that their involvement could influence the quality of life in the town and is appreciated by the different social groups.
Results
Over 2000 people take part in the Environment?! Program. A considerable part are students in the high schools of the town, directly participating in the collection, editing and preparation of the materials for the bulletin published within the project. The results of a telephone survey entitled Are you familiar with the environmental situation in the town of Pernik? (42% of the interviewees have given positive answers) show that an adequate approach has been found. The trust of local government towards the visions and proposals of young people from the town has increased, which shows in their being frequently invited to take part in discussions, conferences and national fora.
Over 2000 people take part in the Environment?! Program. A considerable part are students in the high schools of the town, directly participating in the collection, editing and preparation of the materials for the bulletin published within the project. The results of a telephone survey entitled Are you familiar with the environmental situation in the town of Pernik? (42% of the interviewees have given positive answers) show that an adequate approach has been found. The trust of local government towards the visions and proposals of young people from the town has increased, which shows in their being frequently invited to take part in discussions, conferences and national fora.
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