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ATP Brings Environmental Education Programs To All Regions Of Armeni

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  • ATP Brings Environmental Education Programs To All Regions Of Armeni

    ATP BRINGS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO ALL REGIONS OF ARMENIA AND THE DIASPORA

    hetq
    [ 2011/03/04 | 12:23 ]

    Armenia Tree Project is widely known as an environmental organization
    that plants trees in the Republic of Armenia. Over the course of
    its experience in greening Armenia, ATP's leadership recognized
    that planting trees alone will not necessarily lead to a successful
    outcome. As a result, ATP introduced an environmental education
    program to supplement its tree planting programs and prepare a new
    generation of environmental stewards.

    Some of the goals of the environmental education program are to
    engage young people in environmental issues, educate them on how to
    think green, to appreciate their natural heritage, and to strive for
    a sustainable and healthy environment. Environmental education has
    become one of ATP's core programs and it has been implemented in all
    of Armenia's regions since 2005.

    In 2010, 198 teachers were trained to use ATP's "Plant an Idea, Plant a
    Tree" education manual. The teachers were from every region of Armenia,
    although a majority was from Lori where there has been widespread
    deforestation. Among the trainees were 20 specialists from Armenia's
    National Institute of Education, who became qualified as trainers.

    Already in 2011, ATP staff has organized two five-day training
    sessions using the "Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree" teacher's manual
    with 26 teachers from schools in Yerevan. Most of the teachers were
    from the Mkhitar Sebastatsi and Aregnazan (Waldorf) schools, along
    with participants from 10 other schools in Yerevan.

    "Cooperation between Armenia Tree Project and our school is very
    valuable, and the 'Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree' manual will increase
    the environmental activism of our school's community," stated A.
    Bleyan, the principal of the Mkhitar Sebastatsi School.

    Aregnazan is a unique educational program where creativity,
    imagination, and art are in the forefront of the educational
    methodology and child's up-bringing. ATP has added "nature and
    the environment" to the issues that the teachers and children are
    addressing through their creative talents.

    "This cooperation with the Aregnazan School is going to bloom further
    through various joint environmental activities that are planned for
    the spring," stated Alla Berberyan, who has managed ATP's environmental
    education program since 2009.

    When asked about her role with ATP, Ms. Berberyan notes, "Our work
    is about awakening in people a love for nature and the ability to
    care for it."

    ATP has cooperated with the Shen NGO by distributing its "Environment
    and Nature Protection" manual to teachers and children during education
    lessons. ATP has also distributed its "Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree"
    manual to Heifer International and the US Peace Corps for use in
    their educational programs in Armenia.

    In March, environmental training events are being planned at schools
    in Kotayk, Armavir, and Aragatsotn regions. ATP staff provides
    environmental training for schoolchildren and involves them in various
    practical environmental activities.

    "It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm and eagerness of the teachers
    and children, each of whom wants to contribute to the protection of
    Armenia's environment," stated Ms. Berberyan.

    Cooperation with diasporan schools also continues within the framework
    of the "Building Bridges" program initiated in 2010. For example,
    connections are being developed between students at the AGBU Sisag H.

    Varjabedian School in Chicago and the Ohanyan School in Armenia.

    Children have been learning about each other through sharing letters,
    photos, and personal video-stories. They are also preparing stories
    about the environment in their local communities.

    "Through this program, diasporan students are learning about the
    daily life of children in Armenia, as well as about Armenia's natural
    heritage and environmental challenges. We are increasing the number
    of schools that are 'building bridges' to involve diasporans from
    other countries in the coming months," added Ms. Berberyan.

    "Building Bridges presents an exceptional opportunity for our students
    to forge cultural bonds with peers halfway around the world that
    we hope will be the foundation of the global Armenian community of
    tomorrow," stated Gary Rejebian, cultural and community programs
    director for AGBU Chicago. "Every citizen of this community needs to
    be concerned about the environment and world we all share. Toward
    this end, ATP's Building Bridges program helps our children learn
    environmental responsibility with exceptional clarity and purpose."

    ATP's mission is to assist the Armenian people in using trees
    to improve their standard of living and protect the environment,
    guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the
    fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. ATP's
    three major programs are tree planting, environmental education,
    and sustainable development initiatives.




    From: A. Papazian
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