ATP News

PRESS RELEASE
December 05, 2005

INTERVIEW: Armenia Tree Project Expands Environmental Education Program
Program Manager Gayane Ghukasyan Calls It Crucial for Armenia’s Future

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Gayane Ghukasyan is working in collaboration with the Peace Corps, USDA, and Armenia’s Ministry of Education to expand ATP’s Environmental Education program

Question: What are ATP’s goals to expand its environmental education program? What are the next steps to improve the level of environmental education in Armenia?

Answer: The first step is providing the environmental youth clubs with our curriculum and to train their youth leaders in using the curriculum. But because this is a fairly new program for ATP and for Armenia, the direction and particular steps are currently being discussed among the ATP leadership and the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science. We will provide more details to the public and the community in general as we move ahead in this process.

Question: What is the status of environmental education in the country in general? Why do you think it is important for ATP and Armenia?

Answer: Tree planting is not only a means for combating deforestation, but also a powerful tool for education that gives students a deeper understanding of the environment and inspires them to take personal responsibility for its restoration and preservation.

In 2001, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted a Law on Environmental Education. According to the law, environmental education should be provided at all school levels. The law states that environmental education in Armenia is implemented through the unified state program, developed by the state authorized body and NGOs, in accordance with the corresponding state standard.

Nevertheless, the corresponding state standard and state program are not developed yet. There is no special course on environmental protection in the secondary school curriculum. Environmental education topics are distributed within different disciplines, such as nature, geography, biology, etc., but the new state curricula which was passed by the National Assembly in 2004 does not include a special course on environmental education.

Taking into consideration the ecological situation in Armenia, it is critical to support the development of environmental education here. It is absolutely crucial for Armenia, and ATP is proud to be taking a leadership role in this issue. It is our belief that by engaging youth to better understand and appreciate the value of a healthy and sustainable environment, we are protecting the trees planted today from future exploitation, and most of all protecting Armenia’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

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