| 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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