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Environmental Science and Disaster Management / Environmental Education and Environmental Management in Bangladesh,sustainabilty
« on: May 05, 2010, 10:28:58 PM »
Sustainability is now one of the most widely used words in scientific communities and its associated education
systems, particularly in the field of Environmental Science (Filho, 2000). Knowledge, either traditional or institutionalised from formal education, is an essential prerequisite to attainment of sustainability in human society
and endeavor. The concern with sustainability itself is partly a product of the integration of ecology into the basic
science curriculum of schools in industrialised countries for the last 30 years. The existing information, education
and mobilisation processes have also an important role in the evolution of environmental management around the
world (Romero, 1995). Universities and other equivalent institutions play a leading role in promoting of
environmental ethics and the principles sustainable development (Delakowitz and Hoffmann, 2000). According to
Filho, “…universities must give future generations education and training that will teach them, and through them,
others to respect the great harmonies of their natural environment and of life itself (Filho et al., 1996)â€. At a
practical level, environmental education (EE) can play a key role in creating awareness and motivation that change
people’s skills, values and behavior in society.
In Bangladesh, environmental education is a recent phenomenon particularly in the formal higher education sector
where few universities teach environmental studies. Recently popular environmental movements have heightened
awareness of environmental issues, as well as the need for education and skilled environmental management in
Bangladesh. Popular environmental movements have sprung up involving many sectors of society including
academics, various professional groups, the general public, many foreign Bangladeshis, government departments
and various non-government organisations (for example, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) or Bangladesh
Environment Campaign). Since 1995 they have provided a common platform of pro-environmental forces in Bangladesh. To date, this force has been very successful in drawing national attention to a range of environmental
issues.
Current environmental education and environmental management issues of Bangladesh. It also discusses need for environmental education, practices and future possibilities for employment for environmental graduates from Bangladesh. Finally the paper recommends a policy framework for sustainable environmental education and its deployment in sustainable environmental management in Bangladesh.
contd//
systems, particularly in the field of Environmental Science (Filho, 2000). Knowledge, either traditional or institutionalised from formal education, is an essential prerequisite to attainment of sustainability in human society
and endeavor. The concern with sustainability itself is partly a product of the integration of ecology into the basic
science curriculum of schools in industrialised countries for the last 30 years. The existing information, education
and mobilisation processes have also an important role in the evolution of environmental management around the
world (Romero, 1995). Universities and other equivalent institutions play a leading role in promoting of
environmental ethics and the principles sustainable development (Delakowitz and Hoffmann, 2000). According to
Filho, “…universities must give future generations education and training that will teach them, and through them,
others to respect the great harmonies of their natural environment and of life itself (Filho et al., 1996)â€. At a
practical level, environmental education (EE) can play a key role in creating awareness and motivation that change
people’s skills, values and behavior in society.
In Bangladesh, environmental education is a recent phenomenon particularly in the formal higher education sector
where few universities teach environmental studies. Recently popular environmental movements have heightened
awareness of environmental issues, as well as the need for education and skilled environmental management in
Bangladesh. Popular environmental movements have sprung up involving many sectors of society including
academics, various professional groups, the general public, many foreign Bangladeshis, government departments
and various non-government organisations (for example, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) or Bangladesh
Environment Campaign). Since 1995 they have provided a common platform of pro-environmental forces in Bangladesh. To date, this force has been very successful in drawing national attention to a range of environmental
issues.
Current environmental education and environmental management issues of Bangladesh. It also discusses need for environmental education, practices and future possibilities for employment for environmental graduates from Bangladesh. Finally the paper recommends a policy framework for sustainable environmental education and its deployment in sustainable environmental management in Bangladesh.
contd//