Planning education to care for the earth - IUCN Knowledge Network

Spain: coordination of environmental educationThe growth of EE activities has not been matched by an increase in publicparticipation; nor have citizens developed an interest commensurate with theproblems in matters that affect them directly such as water distribution andurban transport.The environment embraces all human activity and its custody is in the handsof everyone. Global policies must therefore be developed and all sectorsinvolved. A strategy for EE is needed which will make it possible to transmitthe necessary knowledge and awareness to different communities andencourage public participation.Coordination of environmental educationThe first Spanish convention on environmental education was held in 1983.It was then acknowledged that EE was a dynamic area, with a widedistribution and variety of initiatives. EE continued to develop without anyplanning until 1987, when the second convention was held.Participants in the convention agreed on five objectives:• social awareness and evaluation must be seen from the globalperspective;• EE specialists should set high standards of professionalism andaccuracy in their work;• the role of the administration, as the focus of the global strategy inEE, is not just to solve problems, but also to lay emphasis on thepositive values of the environment;• EE is for the entire population, not only for schoolgoers who havepreviously been at the centre of attention. Specific programmesshould be designed to cover all social groups; and• a global strategy should set guidelines so that work in EE is notisolated and is based on general principles.A programme of seminars, directed at professionals in various fields of EE(protected zones, institutional programmes, the education system, andenvironmental procedures), was established. Over four years, some 100professionals from institutions and from NGOs have participated in theseminars.The programme has created a network of relationships which now functionson its own, and which facilitates the work of all concerned. Seminar papersare to be published by the General Office on Environmental Policy whichfunded attendance at the meetings.Responsibility for administration of environmental questions rests with theregional governments in Spain. Conventions and seminars have been held atthe regional level which have helped to establish the environmental121