An ecological education program on the topic “Let’s Protect the Environment Together” has been launched for schoolchildren.

In recent times, against the backdrop of climate change and global warming becoming a serious international threat, it has become necessary for every individual, regardless of age, to stand as a guardian of the environment. It is known that ecological problems recognize no borders, and no country is immune to the consequences of climate change. According to leading international experts, one of the main factors in mitigating the negative impacts of climate change and adapting to it is increasing ecological awareness. Moreover, it is particularly important that ecological education programs cover the youngest age groups.

Considering the above, IDEA Public Union, which has long been implementing regular projects for raising ecological awareness among youth both professionally and as a hobby, together with the Republic Center for Ecological Education and Practicum of the Ministry of Education, launched in February this year an ecological education program on the topic “Let’s Protect the Environment Together” for schoolchildren. The purpose of the program is to instill a caring attitude toward nature in the younger generation, further strengthen ecological awareness, and involve youth in solving environmental problems.

The ecological education program covers members of the “Eco Club” operating in pilot secondary schools in Baku city. It should be noted that the Republic Center for Ecological Education and Practicum of the Ministry of Education began the process of establishing eco-clubs in secondary schools in September 2015. Currently, such eco-clubs have been established in 25 general education institutions in Baku, and it is planned to further expand the eco-club network in the future.

Within the framework of the “Let’s Protect the Environment Together” program jointly implemented by IDEA Public Union and the Ministry of Education, monthly training sessions will be organized for students covering ecological topics such as the basics of ecology, plant and animal ecology, human ecology, urban ecology or future cities, climate change, alternative energy, waste management, biodiversity and its conservation, forest ecology, ecological green tourism, and more.

The first training within the program was held on February 8 at the eco-club of Secondary School No. 6 in Baku city. The February training, consisting of theoretical and practical parts, was dedicated to the topic “Alternative Energy – Energy of the Future.” More than 30 students participated in the training.

During the theoretical part, students were provided with extensive information about renewable and non-renewable energy sources, their impact on the environment, the importance of energy in human life, the advantages of alternative energy sources, the conservation of the planet’s energy resources, Azerbaijan’s energy reserves, energy saving, and the activities implemented by IDEA Public Union in this field. In the practical part, students participated in interactive exercises on alternative energy, experiments on energy production, group work, solving crosswords and tests, and quizzes.

During the interactive training, students also had the opportunity to discuss with experts topics of interest to them related to the environment.

IDEA Public Union and the Republic Center for Ecological Education and Practicum of the Ministry of Education intend to organize similar training sessions for students of other secondary education institutions across the country. Information about the trainings of the “Let’s Protect the Environment Together” program will be regularly provided in the media and on the online resources of IDEA Public Union.