In Focus: Environment
and with the support of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. In collaboration with the WANA Forum, SFG is organizing a session in the May Forum on "Our Common Future: Water, Environment and Energy Community". A report on water scarcity and drought in the WANA region will also be presented by WANA Forum members.
Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (EESD) is another initiative that the WANA Forum is taking forward. One of the most effective ways to foster and consolidate change is to facilitate increased awareness concerning the value of a sound, safe and ecologically balanced environment, one that involves the transformation of social, economic and cultural models.
In spite of the recent achievements in EESD, the development process of environmental education in the region has its challenges. Some of these include the lack of sufficient and sustained economic support, contradictions and gaps in the usage of concepts and methods, insufficient teaching capacity, scarcity in the production and distribution of teaching materials, and the lack of evaluation mechanisms and continuity of initiatives.
At the upcoming meeting in May, WANA Forum participants will present a proposal for an experiential learning pilot programme that involves a cross-section of countries in the region, linking with existing initiatives of extra-curricular education and establishing a WANA EESD network that is open to and accessible by people of all ages and backgrounds.
A proposal will also be presented to develop a three-part modular training kit linked to sustainable development in WANA.
Environmental Education for Sustainable Development (EESD) is another initiative that the WANA Forum is taking forward. One of the most effective ways to foster and consolidate change is to facilitate increased awareness concerning the value of a sound, safe and ecologically balanced environment, one that involves the transformation of social, economic and cultural models.
In spite of the recent achievements in EESD, the development process of environmental education in the region has its challenges. Some of these include the lack of sufficient and sustained economic support, contradictions and gaps in the usage of concepts and methods, insufficient teaching capacity, scarcity in the production and distribution of teaching materials, and the lack of evaluation mechanisms and continuity of initiatives.
At the upcoming meeting in May, WANA Forum participants will present a proposal for an experiential learning pilot programme that involves a cross-section of countries in the region, linking with existing initiatives of extra-curricular education and establishing a WANA EESD network that is open to and accessible by people of all ages and backgrounds.
A proposal will also be presented to develop a three-part modular training kit linked to sustainable development in WANA.
1 For background reading: Meadows, Donella H., Dennis L. Meadows, J?rgen Randers, and W. W. Behrens III. 1972. The Limits to Growth. New York: Universe Books (Second Edition, 1974)
1 "Water Security in the Middle East" report of Montreux, Switzerland workshop, Strategic Foresight Group (February 2010)
1 "Water Security in the Middle East" report of Montreux, Switzerland workshop, Strategic Foresight Group (February 2010)
The region's environment is drastically effected by water scarcity and drought, pollution and resource degradation . Effective management of water resources within WANA requires a transnational framework. Energy-rich countries tend to have very limited natural water supplies, while areas with an abundance of water tend to be poor in energy resources. Thus, water and energy have the potential to create a positive mutual dependency similar to coal and steel in Europe after the Cold War. The quest for redistribution of these resources can create more cooperation than conflict with effective dialogue and cooperation. The environmental concerns related to these resources also necessitate cooperation. Climate change, environmental degradation and water scarcity can be best addressed by a vision for a community of water and energy that promotes and safeguards the human environment in WANA.
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal addressed the workshop on Water Security in the Middle East in Montreux, Switzerland where he stressed the need for a supra-national concept, such as the coal and steel community out of which the European Economic Community grew. HRH hopes that such a concept may initiate regional cooperation in WANA that could lead to an outcome comparable to European integration. HRH Prince Hassan also warned that the world's dry areas will be severely affected by climate change, putting at high risk agricultural production, food security and human livelihoods in these already vulnerable areas and stressed that urgent coordinated efforts are essential to both develop effective climate change adaptation strategies and mitigation measures.
The workshop was organised by the Strategic Foresight Group (SFG), based in India, in cooperation with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal addressed the workshop on Water Security in the Middle East in Montreux, Switzerland where he stressed the need for a supra-national concept, such as the coal and steel community out of which the European Economic Community grew. HRH hopes that such a concept may initiate regional cooperation in WANA that could lead to an outcome comparable to European integration. HRH Prince Hassan also warned that the world's dry areas will be severely affected by climate change, putting at high risk agricultural production, food security and human livelihoods in these already vulnerable areas and stressed that urgent coordinated efforts are essential to both develop effective climate change adaptation strategies and mitigation measures.
The workshop was organised by the Strategic Foresight Group (SFG), based in India, in cooperation with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)