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Bringing Environmental Education Friends: Connecting AAEE and JSOEE for the Future
Others
Angela COLLIVER* , Fumiko NOGUCHI** Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE) / Angela Colliver Consulting Services Pty Ltd)*, Japan Society of Environmental Education / RMIT University** (受理日 2016 年 2 月 13 日)
An email from the AAEE delegate
Environmental Education has devoted itself to capacity building in environmental education
On one sunny morning in October 2015, an
through conferences, publications, symposiums,
email was sent from Colliver to Noguchi.
s e m i n a r s a n d w o r k s h o p s . T h i s y e a r’s
Colliver just recently attended the 26th JSOEE
conference programme included presentations,
conference as a delegate from Australian
workshops, focus group discussions, their
Association of Environmental Education
Annual General Meeting, a Reception and an
(AAEE). The email was informing the article
International Luncheon.
that Angela wrote for the newsletter of AAEE
Over the two-day event, the content and
(AAEE 2015), in order to share her experience
discussions were anchored in the holistic
in Nagoya.
integration of Environmental Education in **
“There is a need for everyone to personalize
policies and programs in the local Japanese and Korean, Taiwanese, American and Australian contexts.
environmental education by asking ‘How do I
Many of the themes presented over the 2 days
conceptualize environmental education and what am I
were about issues of deep concern in
doing to promote the ideas and values associated with
environments and cultures. Centre stage were
it in my daily life?’ ”
topics like climate change, pollution emanating
(1)
The Japanese Society of Environmental
from the Fukushima disaster, deforestation,
th
Meeting in Nagoya,
coastal degradation, and strong calls for
Japan during late August this year and it was
capacity-building of teachers, development and
an honor to represent the Association by
dissemination of teaching materials and
presenting at their Annual General Meeting
re-orientating teacher pedagogy to be inclusive
and delivering a presentation as part of the
of critical and creative thinking skills.
Education held its 2 6
English Speaker Program.
Conference participants talked about their
The Japanese Society of Environmental
vision to have a strong educated student
Education was founded in 1 9 9 0 to promote
emerging from the school and university
environmental education working in
systems, students who are grounded in cultural
collaboration with its members, local NGOs and
values with the necessary skills to actively
likeminded professional associations in Asia, the
participate and contribute to the well-being of
United States and Australia.
the local and global community.
Since its inception the Japanese Society of
To this end, much discussion was had about
問い合わせ先 Fumiko Noguchi, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia Email:
[email protected]
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Ⓒ日本環境教育学会 2016
Bringing Environmental Education Friends: Connecting AAEE and JSOEE for the Future
119
the need to change the education system in
nature and the creation of a sustainable society;
Japan from being primarily content driven to
the development of Disaster Training Programs
one that values critical and creative thinking
in Hiroshima post recent landslides where 74
about economy and culture integrated with
people died or are still missing; and the role of
working for ecological and cultural
Environmental Education in reducing the
sustainability.
vulnerability of women during disasters in
The English Speaking Program began with my
Nepal.
presentation about‘Smart Strategies for the st
Sessions were informative and compelling, as
s 21 Century’where I talked about how today’
was the Annual General Meeting where the
professional associations and classrooms are at
Society grappled with becoming an
the centre of change that has technology at its
incorporated body, and where voices from
core. My presentation focused on new ideas and
different generations shared varying
high-tech digital tools that are being used in
viewpoints.
professional associations’professional learning
The Reception that followed was full of
and today’ s classrooms. We discussed ways
ceremony, feasting on delicious morsels of
Environmental Education can be integrated into
Japanese food and drinking of an array of beers,
units of inquiry that use Project Based
wine and Sake!
Learning (PBL) methods that take students on a
The International Luncheon that was
journey of creativity, exploration and real-world
scheduled for an hour, found many of us still
relevance.
sharing stories about our work in
Participants explored recently developed junior
Environmental Education three hours later and
primary, primary and secondary school
many business cards, stories, question and
teaching resources that support schools in their
answers were exchanged.
efforts to use Environmental Education
I would like to convey my deep gratitude to
contexts and engage learners in a 21st Century
everybody for their openness, friendship and
environment.
sharing that allowed me to learn so much about
Sessions that followed included the sharing of
Japan, the Japanese of yesterday and today, and
research about environmental literacy in
their hopes for a sustainable future. I have been
students from Taiwanese Elementary Schools;
inspired to learn more about Japan and its
the status of Environmental Education in all
people, and their literacy’s that promote a
Indonesian schools to help address
culture of peace, respect, order and
environmental and pollution issues in Indonesia;
sustainability for ourselves, our communities
Environmental Education programs in Kyoto;
and our nations.
the UNEP Children’ s Painting Contest; the ‘Facilitating Nature Conservation in Our
**
Society’ course at Chiba University; the
Colliver’ s article is not only heart-warming, but
challenges of integrating experience-based
also valuable to JSOEE, as it is the first time
global education in university education to
that a delegate from one of our overseas
reorient it towards sustainability and resilience;
partner organisations has reflected on and
the importance of knowledge about regional
made comments that can contribute to the
traditions and education that is grounded in
JSOEE and our organisational publications.
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Angela COLLIVER , Fumiko NOGUCHI
120
The partnership between AAEE and JSOEE
members: Teacher & Teacher Education; Early
began only recently in 2013. Based upon the
Childhood; Local Government; Nature
discussion within JSOEE International
Educators; Research and Marine and
Committee, we would like to share the AAEE
Catchment Educators.
newsletter article, with some background
The role of education is a critical tool in the
information of AAEE, (history, current main
path towards sustainability. Increasingly
activities and issues), and our wish list for the
environmental education is playing a major role
future of AAEE-JSOEE partnership.
in, and across sectors including government,
Brief background of AAEE
business, industry, the broader community, and in schools. AAEE exists to provide a network
Founded in 1979, the Australian Association for
for this growing force of environmental
Environmental Education (AAEE) is the
educators. It aims to support this network
national, professional association for those who
through:
identify themselves as working in the fields of
•
forum for sharing lessons and
environment or sustainability education. The
experiences;
Association and its members are committed to working with others towards a sustainable
Growing professionally, providing a
•
Providing a common voice to champion
future, including government officials,
our cause in the policy arena and to,
researchers, teachers and NGO practitioners.
and;
AAEE provides an important network,
•
Generating funding forging partnerships
supporting its members with up-to date
with organizations that have common
research and policy information, access to
aims to further build the profile and
resources, and regular workshops and
recognition of EE.
conferences. AAEE represents the broad
Besides JSOEE, AAEE has professional links
environmental education community in national
with similar associations in North America,
discussions and debates on policy, practice and
New Zealand and Abu Dhabi.
research. AAEE represents and advocates for
The biennial, national conferences have an
the interests of environmental education and
international perspective and the members
educators across Australia.
represent AAEE at conferences both at home
AAEE has its chapters in seven states and territory. Particularly, Environmental Education Victoria (EEV) has been also functioning as
and overseas. Membership is available in a range of categories with benefits including: •
Professional development nationally and
AAEE state-based chapter. EEV was a product
regionally via conferences, workshops
of the joining together of two organisations -
and seminars;
the Environment Teachers Association (ETA)
•
Member benefits with those
and the Environmental Studies Association of
organizations with which AAEE
Victoria (ESAV) inspired by the rise of
partners and/or holds memberships;
Environmental Education and the first Global
•
Environmental Education;
and 1977. AAEE also includes Special Interest Groups for
環境教育 VOL. 25-3
Access to the latest Australian research in the Australian Journal of
Environmental Education Conferences in 1970 •
Networking opportunities;
Bringing Environmental Education Friends: Connecting AAEE and JSOEE for the Future
•
Up-to-date news about environmental
area of research including:
education programs and events around
•
121
Sharing the research findings among
the country through monthly e-bulletins
members to increase the shared learning
and ozEEnews - the Association’s
(conferences, symposium)
quarterly e-newsletter;
•
Collaborating with allied organisations to
•
Participation in Special Interest Group
research sustainability education needs for
(SIGs) forums;
the various membership sectors and
•
Participation in State Chapters;
contributing the development of tools and
•
Voice to State and Federal governments about relevant issues. Ongoing projects
In recent years, AAEE has been conducting
materials (AESA, SESA) •
Engaging in national and international conversations focusing on evidence based practice (national and international partnership)
two projects, including Australian EfS Alliance
Now, AAEE has been celebrating its 3 5th
(AESA) and Skilling Educators for
anniversary. The 35-year history of AAEE was
Sustainability Australian (SESA). AESA aims to
documented with AJEE special edition and a
share the practice and analyse the obstacles
s p e c i a l e d i t i o n o f ‘o z E E n e w s’, A A E E
and issues through the collaboration of teacher,
Newsletter. This will be soon be available on
government and researchers. The first phase
AAEE website for everyone to read(4).
was completed in February 2 0 1 4 with the
Policy advocacy
publication of‘Education for Sustainability and the Australian Curriculum Project: Final report
Since the 1 9 7 0s, AAEE has been actively
for Research Phases 1 to 3’(2). SESA was three
involved in policy advocacy for‘sustainability’
year project, which aimed to develop leaders
area at state, national, and international levels.
and build their capacity in water and waste
In 2000, the national government formulated
management industries with a focus on
“Environmental Education for sustainable
sustainability.
The project report is also (3)
future: National Action Plan”(5) , whereby
available from the website .
National Education for Sustainability Network
Strategic Priorities for AAEE include:
(NEfSN), National EfS Council (NEfSC), and
•
Developing an active communication
Australia Research Institute for Education for
strategy to improve internal and external
Sustainability (ARIES)(6) were organized. At the
communication.
same time, Australia Sustainable School
Defining current and investigating future
Initiative (AuSSI)(7) was launched as a national
funding stream opportunities.
EfS project, which promotes EfS by whole
Strengthening our identity as a profession to
school approach at the national level. AAEE has
project a shared narrative.
engaged in facilitation and coordination for
Investigating and securing ways to add
NEfSC at the national level. Particularly, EEV
value to Membership Benefits.
has been playing a key role for in-service
• • •
Identifying and connecting with others to create pathways for a sustainable future. The Association has a range of priorities in the
teacher and facilitator training for AuSSI Schools. The Association is also represented on the
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Angela COLLIVER , Fumiko NOGUCHI
122
Australian Alliance of Associations in Education
at the Adelaide Girls High School, close to
(AAAE) to keep the messages of environmental
Adelaide’s CBD. AAEE members are looking
education and education for sustainability as
forward to the participants from JSOEE.
part of the Australian education agenda. The way forward - what we expect of each other between JSOEE and AAEE in terms of AAEE-JSOEE partnership) In Australia, the challenge remains that formal and community education programs deliver
Notes (1) Speech made by Professor Emeritus Dr. Susumu Takakuwa, Kyoto Women’s University at 26th JSOEE National Meeting in 2015. (2) See
high quality sustainability learning and that the
http://www.educationforsustainability.org.
communities have the knowledge and ability to
au/publications/final-report-for-phases-1-3-
reduce their environmental impact and are
education-for-sustainability-and-the-
enabled to make real changes in their everyday
australian-curriculum-project/
lives to live more sustainably. The community
(3) See http://sesaproject.com/
faces diverse issues related to multiculturalism,
(4) See www.aaee.org.au
rights of Australian indigenous peoples and
(5) Australian Government (2 0 0 9) Living
Torres Strait Islanders, refugee and asylum
Sustainably: the Australian Government’s
seekers, and issues related to climate change
National Action Plan for Education for
and natural disasters. Australia has to deal with
S u s t a i n a b i l i t y, D e p a r t m e n t o f
severe environmental problems caused by flood,
Environment, Water, Heritage and the
bush fire, drought, and cyclones on a regular basis. As we experience environmental challenges
the
Arts, Camberra, Australia. (6) See http://aries.mq.edu.au (7) See
within our local region, these may have been
http://cutlass.deh.gov.au/education/aussi/
previously sustained in a global community.
index.html
This now provides us with the challenge to
Reference
create a culturally, socially and environmentally sustainable and resilient community. We believe
Colliver, A. (2015) At the Japanese Society of
that we have lots to share and collaborate
E n v i r o n m e n t a l E d u c a t i o n - 2 6t h
together between Australia and Japan, through
Meeting. "AAEE OzEENews" Issue 133. p.7.
research, practice and policy advocacy, which
http://cdn-au.mailsnd.com/27414/aNvM8jL8-
will strengthen our EE efforts at the local
4REZVNPHvlx0ANCAjMPC-
community level.
Y7rw9N7HRt3yA/2131215.pdf Accessed on 3
AAEE Conference next year in Adelaide The AAEE Biennial National Conference will be held in Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia next year. Important dates include 4th October for the Research Symposium and 5th 6th October for the Conference that will be held
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Mar 2016