Title of the course:
Training on Environmental Education.
Rationale
Interaction between man and the environment has started since his appearance on earth. In the past times the limited human needs were within the carrying capacity of the ecosystem so that no significant impacts on the environment were exerted. The last tow centuries have witnessed large population growth and huge industrial development, which dramatically increased human needs. This has increasingly posed pressure on the environment, culminating in the currently experienced environmental degradation. Recently, the role of environmental education has been well recognized as extremely important to publicizing environmental protection programs and bestowing people the perception required to positively interact with the environment.
Raising public awareness is indispensable for protection of the environment and natural resources in the coastal areas. There are additional benefits, such as participation of local communities in conservation management and programs. Despite the costs, many countries including the developed ones run public awareness
programs, which proved to be valuable and effective in removing threats to marine/coastal environment, and enhance people participation in sustaining environmental conservation management. Most of the environmental problems manifest because of the lack of sufficient awareness among people, stakeholders, and government officials. Educators have a prime role in mainstreaming environmental awareness in curricula, developing and implementing environmental awareness programs.
The PERSGA Framework and Operational Program calls for mainstreaming the environment, into major socio economic sectors. Its overall approach will strengthen the capacities of PERSGA countries to deal with the most urgent issues related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), including strengthening the capacity for environmental awareness and education.
Objectives
The workshop aims at training specialists from the region on methods of developing and implementing environmental education programs. It will thus contribute to building capacities in the member states to support national programs in general and implementing the Jeddah Convention, the Regional Action Plan and the Regional Protocols in particular.
Participants
Participants of this meeting will be selected based on their qualifications; they should be representatives from educational and public awareness institutes, local authorities and agencies working in the field of coastal and marine management.
The total expected number for this course is not to exceed 25 participants.
Date and Duration
The duration of the course is three working days and it will be conducted during June 7-9, 2009.
Location
PERSGA HQ, Jeddah - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Organizers
The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden – PERSGA
Gulf Cooperation Council - GCC
Language
The training language is English. However, translation to Arabic will be available.
Training Materials/References
Details to be provided at a later stage
Instructors/Keynote speakers
Details to be provided at a later stage