Goal 20 - Promote all forms of education and awareness .....

Promote all forms of education and awareness on the conservation of biodiversity
and sustainable use of its components

A change in the general attitude of people toward biodiversity can only be reached through better understanding of its importance for the development, maintenance or growth of the living standard and human survival. Increasing knowledge and public awareness are, therefore, crucial to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The state environmental
policy highlights the priority of environmental education.
Therefore, the design and implementation of programmes aimed at increasing the knowledge of specialists and the general public on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity is a fundamental goal.
The training programmes should promote ecologically oriented development, ecological and economic aspects of biological diversity conservation as well as appropriate measures to be taken in particular sectors.

Strategic directions:

support the co-ordination of training programmes organised by different units in universities,

research institutes, governmental, regional and local agencies, together with similar efforts of non-governmental organisations, agricultural and industrial bodies;

develop effective communication and information sharing among educational institutions and individuals involved in biodiversity education;

develop new specific biodiversity training programmes for different sectors and administrative levels;

promote training in ecologically sound management for private land-users; promote the use of new techniques and technologies in education including distant studies;

develop and maintain information and education centres and interpretative trails;

promote the education of ethical aspects of conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity and include biological diversity issues into the curriculum in all forms of education, from kindergarten through primary and secondary schools to universities;

strengthen teacher education in relation to developing their ability, skills and understanding to include biodiversity in education;

Whereas legislation and economic means can influence people's behaviour, education is the key factor since it produces long-term changes in the attitudes and values that shape human behaviour and practices. Presently there is a need for a new quality in education.
In addition to education and raising awareness on biodiversity people need to learn how to behave adequately Education in the conservation of biological diversity should therefore, give high priority to outdoor education through direct contact with nature and practical interaction. At the same time, it is possible to increase community awareness through indirect education, by means of museums, botanical and zoological facilities, nature centres, parks, mass media, films or interactive computer programmes.
Two main forms of education can be distinguished:

institutional (formal) education aimed atachieving better knowledge as well as better understanding and acceptance of the need for biological diversity conservation

popularised (informal) education focused on increasing public awareness, involvement and active participation in the conservation of biological diversity

	support the co-ordination of training programmes organised by different units in universities,
	research institutes, governmental, regional and local agencies, together with similar efforts of non-governmental organisations, agricultural and industrial bodies;
	develop effective communication and information sharing among educational institutions and individuals involved in biodiversity education;
	develop new specific biodiversity training programmes for different sectors and administrative levels;
	promote training in ecologically sound management for private land-users; promote the use of new techniques and technologies in education including distant studies;
	develop and maintain information and education centres and interpretative trails;
	promote the education of ethical aspects of conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity and include biological diversity issues into the curriculum in all forms of education, from kindergarten through primary and secondary schools to universities;
	strengthen teacher education in relation to developing their ability, skills and understanding to include biodiversity in education;