Student involvement encouraged

KOFI ASREVILearners of Dawid Bezuidenhout attended the launch of the National Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development policy at the Government Auditorium in late July.This policy was designed to support the holistic approach and integration of electrostatic discharge (ESD) across all sectors of society including formal education, technical and vocational education and general education. The new policy is aimed at providing comprehensive guidance and strategies on how to promote environmental sustainability on all levels of society.The guidelines are in accordance with ecological sustainable practices and serve as the basis for addressing local, national and global environmental issues. The policy further seeks to empower learners to take informed decisions and responsible actions to protect the environment, to safeguard economic viability and participate actively and positively in society.In the implementation, educators and educational institutions, such as schools, universities and vocational education centres, will play important roles in putting the policy and its objectives into concrete actions so that learners and students at all level can benefit from it.The NEEN website will offer digital formats, information sharing and access to resources in environmental education and education for sustainable development for educators, civil society and the general public.Speaking at the launch, the minister of environment and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, commended the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme and the German government through the GIZ for their support in shaping the new policy.“There has been significant damage to the environment as citizens are not equipped with relevant knowledge, attitudes, values and skills to manage natural resources in a way that protect environment,” Shifeta said.Once environmental issues threaten development and the quality of life of citizens, environmental education and education for sustainable development are of utmost importance in creating an environmentally literate society.Namibia has made great strides in many aspects including environmental sustainability, although a lot remains to be done to sustain the environment, Shifeta said.According to the minister, the most challenging issues are climate change, land degradation, soil erosion, deforestation, depletion of national resources on land and in the oceans, water insecurity, habitat destruction and waste and pollution control.They are further compounded by socio economic challenges such as the current Covid-19 pandemic, HIV and AIDS, gender-based violent, poverty, inequality income distribution, slow economic and high rate of unemployment, said Shifeta.Also speaking at the launch was the permanent representative of the German embassy in Namibia, Ellen Goelz, who said supporting activities towards sustainable development was at the core of German international cooperation.“In Namibia, the management of natural resources, including nature conservation and the creation of livelihoods through the wealth of natural resources, remains one of the priority areas of development cooperation,” said Goelz.

Student involvement encouraged

Kommentaar

Republikein 2025-05-29

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

Student involvement encouraged

Kommentaar

Republikein 2025-05-29

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

MELD AAN

Advertensie