Eco-Schools is an international initiative and the need for global solutions to the environmental issues that face us has never been more urgent.
Our young people are part of a global society and have the right to engage in discussion and debate about topical issues that will affect their lives. As global citizens, they need the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to understand issues such as rights and responsibilities, fairness, and the role of citizens in a democratic society.
We all need to be able to critically assess the information that we are presented with to help us make informed decisions as to the environmental, social and economic impact of our actions and to appreciate the perspective of others across the planet. Issues such as global warming, fair trade and the environmental impact of big business and consumerism are all topics that could be looked at by schools wishing to broaden the eco work they are doing.
Our Summer 2008 newsletter contains more information on the new Eco-Schools Scotland topic - Sustaining our World. You can also view full details on this topic in the new Eco-Schools Scotland Guide.
Sustaining our World - Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Objectives
- to develop pupils' understanding of what sustainable development means
- to make pupils aware of the link between their lives and the lives of others throughout the world
- to ensure pupils are aware that local actions can have both positive and negative global effects on people and the environment; now and in the future
- to enable pupils to take meaningful action, individually or as a group, to make a difference
Learning outcomes
Through work on Sustaining our World, pupils should be able to:
- recognise the value and importance of conserving natural habitates, resources and cultures in all their diversities
- recognise that minimising local, national, and global inequality and striving for social justice, are essential steps towards sustainability
- feel empowered and believe that their actions or involvement with others can make the world a better place
- collect, interpret and present information on a range of global issues in different ways, using a range of media to a variety of audiences.
- engage with pupils in other cultures and societies to facilitate understanding and empathy
