“Environmental Education Program on the Theme ‘Let’s Protect the Environment Together’”

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

Taking the above into account, the IDEA Public Union, which has long been implementing regular projects for both professional and amateur environmental education of youth, together with the Republican Center for Environmental Education and Practice of the Ministry of Education, has launched an environmental education program for schoolchildren titled “Let’s Protect the Environment Together” since February of this year. The program aims to instill a caring attitude toward nature in the younger generation, strengthen environmental awareness, and engage youth in addressing environmental problems.

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

Within the framework of the “Let’s Protect the Environment Together” program jointly implemented by the IDEA Public Union and the Ministry of Education, monthly training sessions will be organized for students on ecological topics such as the basics of ecology, plant and animal ecology, human ecology, urban ecology and the cities of the future, 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. The February training, consisting of theoretical and practical components, was devoted 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 on 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 preservation of our planet’s energy resources, Azerbaijan’s energy reserves, energy conservation, and the activities implemented by the IDEA Public Union in this field. During the practical component, students engaged in interactive exercises on alternative energy, experiments related to energy production, group work, crossword and test solving, and quiz participation.

The interactive training also provided students with the opportunity to discuss topics of interest related to the environment with experts.

The IDEA Public Union and the Republican Center for Environmental Education and Practice of the Ministry of Education plan to organize similar trainings for students in other secondary education institutions across the country. Information about the trainings within the “Let’s Protect the Environment Together” program will be regularly published in the media and on the online resources of the IDEA Public Union.