This pack was produced at the end of the international training course "Youth and Environmental Education in European Context" which was held at Middle East Technical University (M.E.T.U.), in Ankara, Turkey by the host organisation of M.E.T.U. Nature Club in cooperation with the Youth and Environment Europe (YEE). YEE is an umbrella organisation representing more than fifty non-governmental youth environmental organisations involved in the study and conservation of nature and environment throughout Europe. With international actions, YEE intends to raise public awareness among youth and to put pressure on enterprises and and politicians. The activities of YEE range from nature studies and camps about practical conservation work to public awareness actions on wide environmental issues. Examples are international campaigns or working groups, camps and training courses.
Middle East Technical University (M.E.T.U.)
Nature Club was founded in 1994 with the aim of developing and spreading
the love of nature and awareness about nature, as well as conservation
of nature. To realize this aim , this group organizes every week special
meetings for the club members, in order to make people keep contact to
each other, share their knowledge, ideas and feelings about several subjects
related to nature. From the first day it was set up, "environmental
awareness raising" has been one of guiding principles of the Club,
and therefore, the Children Education sub-group has been one of the active
most important among others.
The club has become a full member of Youth and Environment Europe (YEE)
in 1999. During the annual meeting of YEE in August 2000, it was decided
that having a project on environmental education will be beneficial to
both the member organizations of YEE and other organizations interested
in environmental education.
With the objective of increasing the role and participation of the youth
in environmental education, a workshop was organized in September 22-30,
2001. The financial contribution was provided by European Commission Youth
and Euro-Med Programmes for the participants from European Union and Mediterrenean
countries, and by The Aga Khan Trust for Culture for Eastern European
YEE members' participants. The partner organisations for this workshop
were from Denmark, Malta and Ireland. The follow up meeting was organized
in February 2-5, 2002, to gather all the necessary data and materials
for the preparation of the environmental education guide for trainers.
This guide has been compiled for people interested in environmental education
for children in the 4-13 age group. The target group for this guide is
considered as primary school children. Since at each country children
start primary school at different ages we have chosen a wide range of
age for these activities. We believe that this will be more benefical
for the trainers to choose the activity which fits best the level of children
in his/her group and his country.
It is hoped that this guide will be useful with a variety of approaches
suggested. It covers three main areas of environmental concerns in a short
and comprehensive way for the trainers. It is important that this guide
should be supplemented by extra materials and resources where necessary.
This guide is just an initial step for leading children to get in touch
with nature that's why it does not cover all the issues related to nature.
On the other hand, this guide is a good example of the cooperation of
the youth from various backgrounds and cultures, who are devoted to nature
and eager to share their love and awareness with others.
Hope you enjoy your steps in nature and environmental education with this
guide.