| Thank
you for your interest in Eco-Schools. Eco-Schools is an international
programme designed to encourage whole-school action for
the
environment. Schools worldwide are getting
involved in and making a commitment to continuously improving their
environmental performance. No matter
the
kind, size or location of your school, Eco-Schools can help you make a
difference.
The
Eco-Schools programme was developed in 1994 by
the
Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and introduced in
the
UK,
including Scotland,
in 1995. It was at the United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment
& Development (Earth Summit) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, that a
need to involve young people in finding solutions to environmental and
sustainable development issues at a local level was identified.
Eco-Schools developed to fulfil this role and, in adopting
the
principles of ‘Local Agenda
21’, encourages schools to ‘think global, act local’.
Eco-Schools is much more than an environmental
management system for schools. It is a programme for promoting
environmental awareness in a way that links to most, if not all,
curriculum subjects. In particular, many cross-curricular issues such as
citizenship, enterprise, education for sustainable development, PSE,
health education, social and environmental justice, and the global
dimension, can be tackled through involvement in Eco-Schools. It is also
an accredited award scheme that will raise
the profile of your school in
the
wider community.
The Eco-Schools process is holistic. It works by
involving the whole school - pupils, teachers and other staff; together
with members of the local community - parents, the local authority, the
media and local businesses. It will encourage teamwork and help to create
a shared understanding of what it takes to run a school in a way that
respects and enhances
the
environment. We hope you will find
the
process of becoming an Eco-School challenging, thought-provoking and
exciting.
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