Environmental Education in Latvia: expanding the boundaries

Transcription

1 Environmental Education in Latvia: expanding the boundaries Julija GUSCA Associate Professor, Dr.sc.ing. Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University (Latvia) International conference "Together Towards a Green Future the EEA Grants and Norway Grants for Green Education" , WROCŁAW Conference funded from the EEA Grants and Norway Grants originating from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 1

2 Environmental education levels in Latvia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Higher education Ministry of Education and Science Municipalities Elementary education Life-long education Industries Ministry of Culture Ministry of Agriculture 2

3 I. Elementary education Focus on integrated education model Environmental protection through various school subjects (math, physics, biology, literature, chemistry) Outdoor classes in cooperation with nature schools and Nature Protection Agency (public monitoring 19 guidelines) and Nature Education Centres 3

4 II. Higher education Environmental science study programmes are implemented in: Riga Technical University University of Latvia Latvian University of Agriculture Daugavpils University Liepaja University Rezekne High school Mechanics and Technology College of Olaine 4

5 II. Higher education University of Latvia Natural Sciences Centre (2015) Institute of Energy Systems and Environment of the Riga Technical University (2014) aculty of Engineering Rezekne Higher School (2014) 5

6 Latvian Environmental Science and Education Council Coordinating and consultative cross sectorial institution aimed to: define and effectively solve the problems related to environmental science and education and education for sustainable development; promote institutional cooperation in the field of sustainable environmental policy development and implementation and improvements of managerial instruments. 6

7 Latvian Environmental Science and Education Council: requirements on obligatory study course In schools: A study course or a module in the study course related to the environmental education and education for sustainable development In colleges and universities: A course on environmental protection in the obligatory part of the programme In study programmas in pedagogy: A course on sustainable development Law on Environmental Protection 7

8 Latvian Environmental Science and Education Council: Environmental Science Award (since 2007) Environmental Scientist Young Environmental Scientist Environmental Teacher Environmental Group 8

9 Latvian Environmental Science and Education Council: annual international conference «Environmental Education and Science» GOAL: the promotion of long-term development of environmental science and education and broader promotion of education for sustainable development. 9

10 Life-long Education (I) Municipal nature schools Industry related NGOs Youth Environmental NGOs Activities of nature related societies 10

11 Life-long Education (II): Youth NGOs Latvian Environmental Science Students Society Incorporates students from 7 universities and highschools; over 200 members Outdoor activities at festivals and summer schools Effective link between schools and universities Platform for dialogues 11

12 Life-long Education (III): open courses Open course on Environmental Engineering (3 ECTS) Implemented yearly as a free open course by the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment of the Riga Technical University Topics included: environmental protection, energy efficiency, pollution prevention, waste management, environmental policy, etc. Close to 1000 graduates (since 2008) 12

13 Expanding the boundaries Environmental protection as key for sustainable development frequently challenges approaches to economic development (tourism, industry) Public support makes it easier for municipal leaders to argue sustainable approach to development Change in behaviour takes time, but only change in behaviour produce results in the environment S.N.Kalnins /Nature concerthall/ 13

14 Expanding the boundaries: municipal symbiosis (I) Annual voluntary participation in cleaning up the environment, creating unity, positivity and a sense of job well done. Aim of the project - until 2018, the year when Latvia will celebrate its 100 th birthday, make our country the cleanest and tidiest place on the map of the world - give nature an opportunity to heal by cleaning it from the waste, as well as encourage citizens to upgrade and take care of the environment around them 14

15 Expanding the boundaries: background idea (II) EEA grant project «Integration of systems thinking instruments in environmental policy» (2011) Study course on Systems Dynamics within the Riga Technical University Programme «Environmental Science» International cooperation developed with Bergen University Study books on systems dynamics (Latvian version and English) At least 7 scientific projects attracted on system dynamics afterwards At least 4 policy development programmes developed 15

16 The butterfly effect Chaos theory Sensitive dependence Small change in nonlinear system Result to large differences in later state 16

17 Background idea (II) Future biodiesel policy designs and consumption patterns in Latvia: A system dynamics model. Aiga Barisa, Francesco Romagnoli, Andra Blumberga, Dagnija Blumberga. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 88, 1 February 2015, pp

18 Background idea (III) High value added products: local, waste free, unique, demanded, sustainable Circular economy based Social responsible production 18

19 New project: bioeconomy Establishment of an innovative training system about social and economical aspects of the climate change, based on the analysis of the biological economics development analysis. A module of engineering syllabus for the improvement of specialists comprehension about the climate change forecasting analysis models, their application possibilities and state development in the biological economics characterization aspect. 19

20 Project target group Audiences professional in climate field, local government representatives, educators, vocational secondary education students and students in higher education institutions. Existing and future workforce: state and local government workers, research and educational institutions representatives, businessmen and representatives of nongovernmental organizations, educators of educators, etc. Project impact: The community from whose knowledge, understanding and consequent action the development of bioeconomy and with it the amount of GHG emissions and their impact on climate change is directly dependent on. 20

21 Project results A new vocational education programme module on climate change and adaptation developed and tested. A study book on bioeconomy developed and published A laboratory book on bioeconomy developed and published Study courses at 3 levels organised and attended by different student groups Syllabus developed and tested: lectures, presentations, practical and laboratory works Project impact: improved state, local government and public awareness of climate change and adaptation issues 21

22 Project Implementation Development of a study course At least 7 professors, 8 PhD students involved Cross sectorial approach Course approbation Bachelor and master levels Course adjustment and final approbation Pre-bachelor, bachelor, master and professional levels 22

23 Expanding the boundaries: scientific symbiosis (III) Riga Technical University, Institute of New Riga Theatre, Ministry of Culture Plays on innovations in science, environmental protection 23

24 Expanding the boundaries: sci-cultural symbiosis (IV) Science Music Art Poetry Culture 24

25 25

26 26

27 Julija GUSCA Associate Professor, Dr.sc.ing. Institute of Energy Systems and Environment Riga Technical University (Latvia) Conference funded from the EEA Grants and Norway Grants originating from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 27