ATP’s Environmental Education Program Creating a New Generation of
Informed and Responsible Citizens
onmental-education-program-creating-a-new-generati on-of-informed-and-responsible-citizens/
By Asbarez Staff on Feb 19th, 2010
The Armenia Tree Project (ATP) recently announced the addition of Alla
Berberyan to its team of program managers in Yerevan. Alla has a
degree in Linguistics and Literature from Yerevan State University and
a master’s in Political Science and International Affairs from
American University of Armenia. She has completed a certificate
program in Environmental Sciences and Conservation at AUA, and has
attended a number of international trainings and conferences on
sustainable development and environmental sciences. The following is
an excerpt of an interview that was published in ATP’s latest annual
report.
Below is an Interview with Alla Berberyan
Why do you think environmental education is important for ATP and for
Armenia?
Alla Berberyan: Economic development occurs too often at the expense
of long-term social and environmental sustainability. Severe
environmental losses in Armenia began in the Soviet era, persisted
throughout the economic crisis of the 1990’s, and continue posing
major challenges today. Massive degradation of forests, soil erosion
and landslides, desertification, air and water pollution, and
biodiversity loss are no longer threats but are becoming the defining
characteristics of Armenia’s environment.
One reason for this deterioration and the widespread apathy and denial
towards these issues is the limited awareness of environmental issues
and the lack of responsible and empowered advocates of sustainability.
ATP has assumed a leadership role in developing environmental
education as a core program area to create a new generation of
environmentally responsible citizens who will value the natural
resources of our ancient land and uphold the notion of preserving and
restoring them.
What are the latest developments in ATP’s environmental education program?
A.B.: In collaboration with experts from the National Institute of
Education, ATP’s `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’ Teacher’s Manual was
updated to become a part of the required curriculum in public schools.
The manual was enhanced with new lessons to encompass a broader number
of environmental topics. We have expanded our regional network of
collaborating teachers, and will launch a new series of teacher
training events.
What is your vision for ATP’s environmental education program in 2010
and beyond?
A.B.: We will continue to train teachers in all regions based on the
updated Teacher’s Manual. Our EE Program will continue to advance
eco-literacy among Armenian youth through environmental classes and
events at the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education
Center at Karin Nursery and the new Ohanian Center for Environmental
Studies in Margahovit.
How have teachers and students responded to ATP’s environmental
education curriculum?
A.B.: The curriculum offers a combination of interactive and practical
lessons that raise the schoolchildren’s interest in their surrounding
environment and nature. The manual equips teachers with information to
guide students to recognize and appreciate the value of natural
ecosystems and the feasibility of sustainable practices. Teachers and
students are responding to the manual with enthusiasm. The students
become advocates of change, display creativity and initiative, and
often find positive solutions to some of the environmental problems
around them.
What is the status of environmental education in the country in
general? Has the government been supportive of this ATP program?
A.B.: The 2001 Law on Environmental Education called for
implementation of ecological education from pre-school to graduate
levels. Based on this mandate, the National Strategic Program on
Ecological Education was developed in 2007. However, environmental
education and awareness was a relatively low priority, especially
since there was a deficit of educational materials in the field.
We collaborated with the National Institute of Education of the
Ministry of Education and Science, which has been very supportive of
our projects, including integration of environmental education into
the public education system through the `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’
Teacher’s Manual.
What are the next steps needed to improve the level of environmental
education in Armenia?
A.B.: It is important to take steps that can turn Armenia away from
the current path of purely economy-focused, environmentally
destructive development. The most essential of those steps is
increasing the public’s understanding and acceptance of the fact that
the environment is influenced by each individual’s actions as well as
by their inaction. It is important to grow such consciousness in
younger citizens. Because of the Soviet past and recent political
challenges, our society is experiencing pervasive passivity and
denial, and the level of civic engagement is low.
It is vital to develop the belief among the young generation that
every person has the power and responsibility to contribute to the
well-being of our society. We need to continue environmental training
at all levels of our society and maintain pressure on the country’s
leadership to pursue sustainable policies and practice.
The Armenia Tree Project (ATP) recently announced the addition of Alla
Berberyan to its team of program managers in Yerevan. Alla has a
degree in Linguistics and Literature from Yerevan State University and
a master’s in Political Science and International Affairs from
American University of Armenia. She has completed a certificate
program in Environmental Sciences and Conservation at AUA, and has
attended a number of international trainings and conferences on
sustainable development and environmental sciences. The following is
an excerpt of an interview that was published in ATP’s latest annual
report.
Below is an Interview with Alla Berberyan
Why do you think environmental education is important for ATP and for Armenia?
Alla Berberyan: Economic development occurs too often at the expense
of long-term social and environmental sustainability. Severe
environmental losses in Armenia began in the Soviet era, persisted
throughout the economic crisis of the 1990’s, and continue posing
major challenges today. Massive degradation of forests, soil erosion
and landslides, desertification, air and water pollution, and
biodiversity loss are no longer threats but are becoming the defining
characteristics of Armenia’s environment.
One reason for this deterioration and the widespread apathy and denial
towards these issues is the limited awareness of environmental issues
and the lack of responsible and empowered advocates of sustainability.
ATP has assumed a leadership role in developing environmental
education as a core program area to create a new generation of
environmentally responsible citizens who will value the natural
resources of our ancient land and uphold the notion of preserving and
restoring them.
What are the latest developments in ATP’s environmental education program?
A.B.: In collaboration with experts from the National Institute of
Education, ATP’s `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’ Teacher’s Manual was
updated to become a part of the required curriculum in public schools.
The manual was enhanced with new lessons to encompass a broader number
of environmental topics. We have expanded our regional network of
collaborating teachers, and will launch a new series of teacher
training events.
What is your vision for ATP’s environmental education program in 2010
and beyond?
A.B.: We will continue to train teachers in all regions based on the
updated Teacher’s Manual. Our EE Program will continue to advance
eco-literacy among Armenian youth through environmental classes and
events at the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education
Center at Karin Nursery and the new Ohanian Center for Environmental
Studies in Margahovit.
How have teachers and students responded to ATP’s environmental
education curriculum?
A.B.: The curriculum offers a combination of interactive and practical
lessons that raise the schoolchildren’s interest in their surrounding
environment and nature. The manual equips teachers with information to
guide students to recognize and appreciate the value of natural
ecosystems and the feasibility of sustainable practices. Teachers and
students are responding to the manual with enthusiasm. The students
become advocates of change, display creativity and initiative, and
often find positive solutions to some of the environmental problems
around them.
What is the status of environmental education in the country in
general? Has the government been supportive of this ATP program?
A.B.: The 2001 Law on Environmental Education called for
implementation of ecological education from pre-school to graduate
levels. Based on this mandate, the National Strategic Program on
Ecological Education was developed in 2007. However, environmental
education and awareness was a relatively low priority, especially
since there was a deficit of educational materials in the field.
We collaborated with the National Institute of Education of the
Ministry of Education and Science, which has been very supportive of
our projects, including integration of environmental education into
the public education system through the `Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree’
Teacher’s Manual.
What are the next steps needed to improve the level of environmental
education in Armenia?
A.B.: It is important to take steps that can turn Armenia away from
the current path of purely economy-focused, environmentally
destructive development. The most essential of those steps is
increasing the public’s understanding and acceptance of the fact that
the environment is influenced by each individual’s actions as well as
by their inaction. It is important to grow such consciousness in
younger citizens. Because of the Soviet past and recent political
challenges, our society is experiencing pervasive passivity and
denial, and the level of civic engagement is low.
It is vital to develop the belief among the young generation that
every person has the power and responsibility to contribute to the
well-being of our society. We need to continue environmental training
at all levels of our society and maintain pressure on the country’s
leadership to pursue sustainable policies and practice.
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