Role of Education for Sustainable Role of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and of Higher Development (ESD) and of Higher

Education in developing Water Culture Education in developing Water Culture

LEBANON WATER WEEK FEBRUARY 2009

Prof. Michael Scoullos, University of AthensProf. Michael Scoullos, University of AthensChairman of GWP-Med, Chairman of MIO-ECSDE, Chairman of GWP-Med, Chairman of MIO-ECSDE,

Coordinator of MEdIESCoordinator of MEdIES

Water in the Water in the MediterraneanMediterranean

Water is one of the most valuable and vulnerable Water is one of the most valuable and vulnerable natural resources anywhere on earth, but this is natural resources anywhere on earth, but this is especially true for the Mediterranean . Water especially true for the Mediterranean . Water shortage and the increased demand associated to shortage and the increased demand associated to uncontrolled development, intensive agriculture, uncontrolled development, intensive agriculture, mass tourism, overpopulation and overconsumption mass tourism, overpopulation and overconsumption result in a complexity of interrelated problems result in a complexity of interrelated problems affecting social, economic and natural aspects of affecting social, economic and natural aspects of everyday life. The climate change is expected to everyday life. The climate change is expected to exacerbate the difficulties and complicate problems. exacerbate the difficulties and complicate problems.

Water CultureWater Culture

A.A. Individual/utilitarianIndividual/utilitarian: water as prerequisite of health, : water as prerequisite of health, personal pleasure and comfort; As a means for personal pleasure and comfort; As a means for prosperity (use in agriculture, energy generation, prosperity (use in agriculture, energy generation, manufacturing, etc.)manufacturing, etc.)B.B. Sociocentric/utilitarianSociocentric/utilitarian: Water as a social good and : Water as a social good and as part of the commons needed for social welfare and as part of the commons needed for social welfare and economic sustainability; Access to safe water as human economic sustainability; Access to safe water as human right. right. C.C. Ecocentric/idealisticEcocentric/idealistic: Water as nature’s : Water as nature’s indispensable part having intrinsic value; Water as indispensable part having intrinsic value; Water as perpetual source of inspiration and creativity. perpetual source of inspiration and creativity.

Follows the three levels of man’s attitudeFollows the three levels of man’s attitude vis-a-vis vis-a-vis nature and the environment:nature and the environment:

Water Culture: Water’s Water Culture: Water’s values & people’s values & people’s attitudes; Educational attitudes; Educational perspectives perspectives

A.A. Realistic approach towards “water valuing”; Realistic approach towards “water valuing”; the economic value of water being one of the economic value of water being one of the important aspects among others. the important aspects among others.

B.B. Full understanding and implementation of Full understanding and implementation of IWRM.IWRM.

C.C. Rational water use, including demand Rational water use, including demand management. management.

D.D. Future perspectives to meet the demand Future perspectives to meet the demand with wise combinations of conventional and with wise combinations of conventional and non-conventional resources.non-conventional resources.

Water Culture: Water’s values & Water Culture: Water’s values & people’s attitudes;people’s attitudes;

Educational perspectives Educational perspectives Potential of all types of Education – formal, Potential of all types of Education – formal,

non formal, informal, lifelong learning & non formal, informal, lifelong learning & adult/vocational, etc. – involving all related adult/vocational, etc. – involving all related stakeholders – educational community, stakeholders – educational community, administrators, technocrats, civil society, administrators, technocrats, civil society, media- to stimulate and develop the media- to stimulate and develop the necessary water culture in order to reach necessary water culture in order to reach consensus, in particular in view of the consensus, in particular in view of the emerging climate change. emerging climate change.

Water as an integral partWater as an integral part of the evolution of of the evolution of Environmental Education (EE) to Education for Sustainable Environmental Education (EE) to Education for Sustainable

Development (ESD)Development (ESD)- Belgrade - Belgrade (1975)(1975) & Tbilisi & Tbilisi (1977):(1977): Basic documents on EE Basic documents on EE emphasized the need to build knowledge, acquire skills and emphasized the need to build knowledge, acquire skills and adopt values & attitudes which could protect the aquatic adopt values & attitudes which could protect the aquatic environment and water resources. environment and water resources. ABOUTABOUT (knowledge), (knowledge), ININ (in direct contact with), (in direct contact with), FORFOR (commitment in favour of) the aquatic environment and abate (commitment in favour of) the aquatic environment and abate water pollution. water pollution. - Moscow Congress on EE & Training - Moscow Congress on EE & Training (1987):(1987): more more emphasis on water issues related to the gender issue, emphasis on water issues related to the gender issue, health, poverty & peace. health, poverty & peace. Introduction of a series of “targeted” forms of education Introduction of a series of “targeted” forms of education which all touch upon water problems i.e. Education for which all touch upon water problems i.e. Education for Development, Global Education, Education for Peace and Development, Global Education, Education for Peace and Human Rights, Education for Women, Education for Human Rights, Education for Women, Education for Citizenship, even, Water Education Citizenship, even, Water Education per seper se..

- International Conference, Thessaloniki 1997 : Need to International Conference, Thessaloniki 1997 : Need to reorient education towards sustainable development. reorient education towards sustainable development. - In the light of WSSD several In the light of WSSD several initiativesinitiatives were launched were launched demanding a demanding a stronger link between education and stronger link between education and sustainable developmentsustainable development (among them the ERA 21 (among them the ERA 21 Campaign and MEdIES by MIO-ECSDE & GWP-Med). Campaign and MEdIES by MIO-ECSDE & GWP-Med). - In WSSD (Johannesburg, 2002) a formal proposal for a In WSSD (Johannesburg, 2002) a formal proposal for a Decade on Education for Sustainable Development was Decade on Education for Sustainable Development was made, in parallel to the initiative to develop a European made, in parallel to the initiative to develop a European Strategy on ESD undertaken by UNECE and Member States. Strategy on ESD undertaken by UNECE and Member States.

Historical Background of EE-Historical Background of EE-ESDESD

- The UNECE Strategy on ESDAdopted in Lithuania, March 2005. Goal: to encourage the 56 developing and developed countries of the vast UNECE region (and beyond) to develop and incorporate ESD into their formal education systems, in all relevant subjects, as well as in non-formal and informal education and to serve as a flexible framework in order to be adapted to each country’s priorities, specific needs and circumstances. Plan of Implementation - Set of Indicators of the Strategy implementation - Set of educators competences (under development).Water is a central theme of the Strategy approached from many different angles.

- The UN Decade on ESD (2005-2014) Goal: to promote education as the base for a sustainable society and the diffusion of principles of sustainable development in all forms of education -formal, non formal and informal- and in all educational systems (including adult education). The Decade seeks to integrate the values inherent in sustainable development into all aspects of learning to encourage behaviour changes that allow for a more sustainable and just society. Water is one of the central themes of the Decade.

Current major initiatives for ESDCurrent major initiatives for ESD

Sustainable Development Sustainable Development

The content of Education for The content of Education for Sustainable Development Sustainable Development (ESD) (ESD)

The pillars of Sustainable The pillars of Sustainable Development Development

Water: a basic topic within the Water: a basic topic within the ESDESD

Sustainable management of water = key priority Sustainable management of water = key priority among the issues related to ESD.among the issues related to ESD.

Water as a cross-cutting topic serves as the Water as a cross-cutting topic serves as the appropriate “vehicle” to introduce the students appropriate “vehicle” to introduce the students to the entire cluster of sustainability concepts, to the entire cluster of sustainability concepts, principles & practices.principles & practices.

Relevant researches reveal that water issues Relevant researches reveal that water issues are placed very high in the lists of are placed very high in the lists of environmental and sustainability concerns of environmental and sustainability concerns of young people. young people.

Water issues are of common concern in the Water issues are of common concern in the Mediterranean region, a fact also reflected in Mediterranean region, a fact also reflected in the majority of curricula of EE/ESD the majority of curricula of EE/ESD Programmes in all Mediterranean countries. Programmes in all Mediterranean countries.

The Mediterranean Education The Mediterranean Education Initiative on Environment & Initiative on Environment & Sustainability – MEdIESSustainability – MEdIES

MEdIES = a Mediterranean Network for ESD with an initial thematic focus on Water and Waste, launched as a Type II Initiative on ESD during the WSSD (2002) by Greece, UNESCO, UNEP/MAP, MIO-ECSDE and GWP-Med.

MEdIES Objectives: To raise public awareness and provide education

on topics related to sustainable development, starting with WaterWater and waste, and later on, with consumption, cultural & biological diversity, food, protected areas, etc.

To facilitate networks on ESD and develop a methodological framework for such networks ( to be adapted in other regions).

MEdIES Fields of ActivityMEdIES Fields of Activity Facilitate the communication and cooperation among Facilitate the communication and cooperation among

schools, non - governmental (NGOs) and schools, non - governmental (NGOs) and governmental organisations, institutions and educators governmental organisations, institutions and educators (2200 individual e- members). (2200 individual e- members).

Promotes ICTs (Information & Communication Promotes ICTs (Information & Communication Technologies) through its interactive webpage Technologies) through its interactive webpage www.medies.netwww.medies.net

Supports the educational community by means of Supports the educational community by means of Training Seminars, Workshops & Training Seminars, Workshops & Educational Educational Materials Materials

““Water in the Mediterranean”Water in the Mediterranean”MEdIES approach to water educationMEdIES approach to water education

Developed by a group of educators from Developed by a group of educators from 7 7 Mediterranean countries: Secondary school Mediterranean countries: Secondary school teachers, University Professorsteachers, University Professors, , members of members of NGOs. NGOs.

Produced in Arabic, English, Produced in Arabic, English, ItalianItalian, , French , French , Greek, Turkish, Croatian. Greek, Turkish, Croatian.

Since 2003, implemented by schools in Greece, Since 2003, implemented by schools in Greece, Italy, Turkey, France, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Italy, Turkey, France, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Croatia.Tunisia, Croatia.

Available at Available at WWW.MEDIES.NETWWW.MEDIES.NET

Part I: THEORYPart I: THEORY

WATER on EARTHWATER on EARTH The origin of life; All life depends on water; Water’s distribution on The origin of life; All life depends on water; Water’s distribution on

earth; The hydrological cycle; Climate change; Water in traditions.earth; The hydrological cycle; Climate change; Water in traditions. The MEDITERRANEANThe MEDITERRANEAN Geographic setting; Geological characteristics & morphology; Geographic setting; Geological characteristics & morphology;

Climate & water circulation; Biological & chemical characteristics; Climate & water circulation; Biological & chemical characteristics; Pollution.Pollution.

USES & ABUSES USES & ABUSES Water consumption; Agricultural use of water; Water & industry; Water consumption; Agricultural use of water; Water & industry;

Domestic use of water; Water and health issues for humans and Domestic use of water; Water and health issues for humans and ecosystems; Tools & Methods to deal with water problems ecosystems; Tools & Methods to deal with water problems (Integrated Water Resources Management).(Integrated Water Resources Management).

Water in the Mediterranean- ContentsWater in the Mediterranean- Contents

Part II: ACTIVITIES (45)Part II: ACTIVITIES (45)

Section 11WaterWater

always presentalways present

Section 22Unique properties

of water

Section 4 4Our drinking water

Section 88Industry & Energy

Section 99Wetlands

Section 6 6Water in our home

Section 7 7Water, Soil &Agriculture

Section 5 5Water & Health

Section 3 3The water cycle

The Network of Mediterranean Universities The Network of Mediterranean Universities for Sustainable Development focusing on for Sustainable Development focusing on

ESD ESD Launched in Athens, 18-19 November 2008, involving 18 Universities Launched in Athens, 18-19 November 2008, involving 18 Universities

from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina , Cyprus, Egypt , France, Greece from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina , Cyprus, Egypt , France, Greece Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey.Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey.

Aims to promote SD and the “whole institute approach” in the Aims to promote SD and the “whole institute approach” in the Mediterranean Universities and higher education institutions. Mediterranean Universities and higher education institutions.

A Core Group is planning and going to implement a Mediterranean A Core Group is planning and going to implement a Mediterranean Master Course on ESD. Master Course on ESD.

Water and its management will be aWater and its management will be a fundamental topic for the network. fundamental topic for the network.

MultidisciplinarityMultidisciplinarity -> -> Biological Biological -> Chemical-> Chemical -> Physical-> Physical -> Geological -> Geological -> Social -> Social -> Economical-> Economical

-> Cultural-> Cultural IntradisciplinarityIntradisciplinarity -> Biogeochemical -> Biogeochemical

-> Socioeconomic -> Socioeconomic

Water EducationWater Education

Water EducationWater Education

Water Education

Arts

Medicine

DiplomacyPolitics

Economics

Law

Natural Sciences

EngineeringHydrology

& other …& other …

In the new world of the 21th century and the In the new world of the 21th century and the 33rdrd millennium many things will change at all millennium many things will change at all levels of Education, including the Higher levels of Education, including the Higher one. one.

Science and Engineering Schools will have Science and Engineering Schools will have to review thoroughly their curricula and to review thoroughly their curricula and adapt them to address creatively emerging adapt them to address creatively emerging challenges and their impacts on water challenges and their impacts on water resources, including climate change. resources, including climate change.

Perspectives Perspectives

Water governance and all its tools and Water governance and all its tools and methods need to be promoted in parallel to methods need to be promoted in parallel to scientifical and technical aspects. scientifical and technical aspects. Innovative approaches should be examined Innovative approaches should be examined and promoted that could help in starting and promoted that could help in starting new policies related to water in all sectors new policies related to water in all sectors such as agriculture, energy production, etc.such as agriculture, energy production, etc.

Perspectives Perspectives

Natural phenomena leading frequently to Natural phenomena leading frequently to catastrophes, such a droughts and floods, is catastrophes, such a droughts and floods, is expected to increase the need to become expected to increase the need to become central at all curricula. central at all curricula.

Learning institutions need to elaborate Learning institutions need to elaborate programmes, train students and retrain civil programmes, train students and retrain civil servants, various professionals, and a wider servants, various professionals, and a wider circle of stakeholders on technical and mainly circle of stakeholders on technical and mainly institutional solutions. Proper staff, should be institutional solutions. Proper staff, should be properly equipped for robust institutions to properly equipped for robust institutions to address effectively, through adaptation, water address effectively, through adaptation, water related phenomena linked with uncertainty. related phenomena linked with uncertainty.

Perspectives Perspectives

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!