Environmental Education for Tomorrow’s Active Citizens of Cyclades

Primary and Secondary students of Syros and Andros are key target group of the “CYCLADES LIFE” project’s educational actions. The aim is to bring schoolchildren closer to nature and to wildlife and to enhance their appreciation for the natural environment of their islands, thus leading to a gradual change in their environmental consciousness and behavior.

Based on this central concept, the project’s Environmental Education activities will be implemented utilizing creative, participatory and innovative educational methods, motivating the participants to adopt an active instead of a passive role and thus promoting students’ environmental-friendly behaviors and attitudes.

IMG_8890forwebsite

© M.Symvoylidoy/ WWF Greece

The key objective is to enhance their role as future citizens that will actively support and engage in conservation efforts towards protecting their local natural environment. Thus, during the “CYCLADES LIFE” educational activities, the students will be asked to present their ideas and formulate their own proposals for the conservation of the Monachus monachus, the conservation of the biodiversity of the Cyclades region, as well as the Natura 2000 areas such as Gyaros.

Children represent the future consumers, decision-makers and stakeholders and it is of paramount importance for them to understand the value of the natural environment of their islands for their own livelihoods. They will learn to become involved, contribute, and participate in nature conservation efforts from an early age.

They will become ambassadors of the project’s goals to their families and friends and consequently can multiply the effect of the “CYCLADES LIFE” project. The raising of the children’s environmental awareness is a key factor towards securing the long term protection of the Mediterranean Monk seal in the project area and the conservation of the marine biodiversity and of the environment in general, and for effectively promoting the message of sustainable development to the present decision makers.

The project’s environmental education activities will include topics like:
Active Environmental Citizenship: Students will learn about the marine ecosystem of the Gyaros Natura 2000 area and the local Monachus monachus population and about key environmental values and important ecosystem services, by understanding in practice how their everyday behavior and active involvement can have a positive and a significant impact on the conservation of the natural environment for the future.

Think Globally, Act Locally: Students will learn the basic principles of environmental sustainability and other important environmental and social issues (climate change, pollution, volunteering etc.), but most importantly they will be taught that despite the fact that environmental problems and threats are global a significant part of their solution depends on local action and individual responsibilities.

Creative Learning: Students will experience environmental education and will be assisted to express themselves creatively through a combination of artistic tools and recreational games.

During the “CYCLADES LIFE” project a series of seminars, workshops and presentations will be organized by the project team, hosted either by the local schools of Syros and Andros, or by the Environmental Education Centers of the two islands. Moreover, a DVD video presenting all the “CYCLADES LIFE” environmental education activities field work will be produced and will be distributed to the local schools for future use.