DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
(Project CN0049)
he key to nature conservation in China is to raise awareness
and encourage the people to protect the environment, says the
country's National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA).
Environmental education, which started at the same time as environmental
protection in 1970, is mainly promoted by NEPA and the State Education
Commission (SEC). The main thrust is sustainable resource use.
Activities began with public awareness campaigns and the introduction
of environmental science courses at a few universities. Later,
in the early 1980s, environmental education was introduced in
selected kindergarten, primary, and secondary school curricula.
Limited environmental education materials have been produced and
training of teachers and school principals conducted. In some
provinces, model environmental education schools have also been
established.
In November 1992, as a followup to UNCED and the 14th National
People's Congress, NEPA organized the "Environmental Protection,
Education Comes First" conference. The conference stressed
the importance of environmental education, and suggested that
it be integrated into all sectors including policy planning, five
and tenyear development plans and resource management, as
well as school curricula.
In early 1993, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in
Switzerland approached WWF for help in furthering environmental
education in China. WWF education staff subsequently visited Beijing
to meet with SEC and NEPA officials. In May 1994, WWF conducted
a twoweek workshop for 13 key education officials and junior
and secondary school teachers, which came up with action plans
for teacher training, resources, and curriculum development. WWF
will assist in the implementation of these plans, and provide
institutional support to NEPA and SEC.
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