One of the largest pedagogical conferences in the Czech Republic took place in Prague. She devoted herself to eco-education
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In mid-March, Prague hosted a world event attended by 550 experts from fifty countries. As for the organizing team of Jan Činčera, it was one of the largest pedagogical conferences in the history of the Czech Republic. Finally, an international youth conference on environmental education took place with the congress, which was attended by around 150 students.
According to Činčera, the congress corresponded in its scope to approximately 20–25 professional conferences held during a single week. Altogether, there were more than three hundred lectures, workshops, symposia, round tables and field trips. It took place in a hybrid form – in person at the Prague Congress Center and online.
“Congress was a key moment for Czech environmental education. It is now up to the participants, from universities or the environmental education center, how he manages to use the international credit we have obtained and the contacts gathered at the event, “says Jan Činčera.
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In the Czech Republic, non-profit organizations, mainly ecological education centers, have the most sophisticated system of environmental education.
“Environmental education centers in our country play an important and irreplaceable role. Even for many of them, it would be beneficial to step beyond the boundaries of a small Czech pond. Many of them make a great practice that can inspire colleagues abroad, “says Jan Činčera, who works as the Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Studies at Masaryk University.
“On the contrary, others could get such inspiration and try to move in their practice to more modern forms of environmental education. I certainly see great potential on the part of extracurricular movements, such as scouting, “adds Činčera.
Feedback from participants
“The conference was useful and rare in that people from the field of environmental education met in person after a long time. As the field trips found in the organization with a suitable option and the Association of Forest Kindergartens have shown, the academic sphere needs to seep into practice to specific people and places and vice versa. And I think this conference was very successful, “says Tereza Valkounová from the Association of Forest Kindergartens.
“For forest nurseries, we are reassured that changes in education are still important. And also for a new orientation of environmental education towards climate education – we will now focus more on these goals of preschool education in nature and the operation of our modest, in many respects circularly functioning facilities, “adds Valkounová.
Markéta Hrnčálová from Ekocentrum Koniklec considers interviews with other participants in the congress to be the most useful, especially during excursions. “At that time, I could ask about their projects, the functioning of their organizations and even their attitudes and opinions. During the congress, I drew a lot of inspiration for further work and also a new wave of energy, “emphasizes the lecturer of Ekocentrum Koniklec.
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The conference featured a presentation on the experience of growing vegetables in schools. The discussion may show the different importance of activities in different parts of the world. While in our country, children’s growing activities lead mainly to their education and development, on the other side of the world the situation may be different, “lecturer Jana Hrdličková selects one contribution that has stuck in mind.” Hydroponics at a New York school is the only opportunity for vegetables such as salad, meet and taste it at all, because it is not commonly available in local shops. In another school in Africa, children’s school sprouts are part of the diet of their families, without which it is difficult to do without them. It is perhaps impossible to imagine a greater connection between ecological education and sustainability with everyday practice, ”he adds.
Jan Činčera pointed out a few moments that interested him personally. “David Orr gave a very up-to-date lecture on the relationship between democracy and environmental education. Arjen Wals was great, as always. Bertrand Piccard’s brief speech on the power of modern technology as a source of hope in environmental education was a bit provocative, but also very strong, “says Činčera. He emphasizes, however, that it will take him personally to review all the contributions that have been recorded and the congress participants available on the online platform.
Where now?
According to Činčera, we now need to shift the quality of environmental education in schools. “According to our surveys, the proportion of schools that apply procedures in environmental education that I believe are good is around twenty percent,” says Činčera.
“What we need to do more is to implement a participatory approach to pupils, to connect the school with the local community, to involve pupils in specific ones where they can change something and, of course, to a school-wide approach – so that environmental education is not a matter for one leisure enthusiast, “Adds an expert in environmental education.
However, according to Činčera, parents still play a crucial role in where children receive education and attitudes towards the environment. Next are leisure organizations, environmental education centers and social media. “Schools are still playing a lesser role. On the other hand, there are plenty of schools in our country that do environmental education very well and their impact on pupils can be crucial in this area, ”concludes Jan Činčera.
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