4. Critical Steps to Start or Continue Environmental Improvements
4.3. Expertise and public support
ALBANIA
Environmental education should be introduced at all school levels, e.g. in the framework of biology lessons at schools and universities. Education will form the basis for the future of the country and should receive priority attention. Also, environmental training of experts who work on environmental problems for the government or other institutions is important. Exchange of information and experience with Western experts is crucial.
BULGARIA
Environmental education and improved expertise is badly needed in all sectors of society and should begin at the youngest possible age. All people should come to realize that a market economy is not an end goal in and of itself, but merely a tool to use in sustainable development. The values of people are currently changing in a negative way and this change should be counteracted at least partly through education. For those people most involved in environmental decision-making long-term, extensive, professional level training is needed. All types of media and information channels should be used to increase awareness. Education and training efforts must be well prepared and focused, with the results closely evaluated. Since 1989 many environmental training and education activities sponsored by foreign sources took place in Bulgaria, and they were often poorly prepared, brief, and sometimes yielded marginal results.
CROATIA
A certain level of institutionalized and non-institutionalized environmental education and training exist, but it is not effective and enough. A more comprehensive approach to environmental education is necessary What is done is often conceived in narrow branches, and the proper knowledge is not transferred.
It is important to train the key people who can disseminate knowledge. Specialized environmental training is needed in environmental management, legislation, and administration. Ecologists are trained, but often they can't find employment because ecological positions are occupied mostly by engineers and architects. The Government should promote a network of national institutions providing environmental training. General education of the public is needed. The media should play a more active role in raising public awareness. NGOs and scientific experts participate in some discussions on legislation and policy, but this involvement should generally be improved.
CZECH REPUBLIC
The need to strengthen environmental education is a top priority. Forty years of scant attention to this issue has left a difficult obstacle to overcome. Improvements in education and training are beginning to develop gradually but more is needed.
The level of expertise of the environmental actors has to be improved (a better understanding of the problems they face and the knowledge of alternative solutions and new technologies). A starting point would be to improve the information exchange regarding successful actions within the Czech Republic and the CEE region, as well as ideas and solutions implemented or discussed in the West.
HUNGARY
It is a commonly shared opinion that systematic environmental awareness raising and education is needed from the kindergarten through university studies. Ideally, environmental information should also be integrated into other science topics.
Parliamentarians and civil servants would need on the job training in environmental management. While education is the long-term solution, media campaigns and NGO activities may contribute to make the population more sensitive to the most pressing issues.
FYR MACEDONIA
Improvements in environmental education and expertise were not often mentioned as high priority needs, however a few experts did state that ecological consciousness is inadequate in all sectors of society - government, business and citizens. One expert discussed how there are currently many environmental education programs taking place, and that there are some well trained experts, but that the government is lacking sufficient expertise in the area of environmental protection.
POLAND
Environmental education is strongly needed for all members of society. Children and decision-makers should receive special focus. Environmental education should be introduced into the school curriculums. Public participation in environmental decision-making must be expanded and increased environmental awareness and concern throughout society is necessary for this to happen. Expertise at the government level has improved through know-how transfers, but broad-based campaigns directed toward the general public are also needed.
ROMANIA
Environmental education is a high priority need and all segments of society need awareness raising, with special emphasis on young people and decision-makers. Every possible forum should be used to advance environmental education. Religious leaders could and should play an important role in this process as new, environmentally and socially harmful lifestyles and values are being promoted during this time of transformation. Professional training of specialists and decision-makers is especially crucial for improvement of environmental management and the integration of environment and development issues.
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
The experts stressed that improving and strengthening environmental education on all levels should be a high priority. There is a lack of environmental professionals. Management and organization skills should especially be improved. The exchange of experience with Western countries would be helpful. A broad dissemination of knowledge concerning modern ideas and methods in the field of the environment is lacking.
An increase in public awareness and public participation regarding environmental issues is greatly needed to create pressure on decision-makers and to promote an atmosphere where solutions to problems can be elaborated and implemented.
The access to environmental information has to be improved and information about the actions of decision-makers and businesses regarding the environment should be more broadly disseminated.
SLOVENIA
The level of environmental training and education is quite high in Slovenia, but more has to be done. The framework exists for training and, generally, technical training is good. There is a need for training specific experts (e.g., environmental economists, environmental lawyers, etc.). Environment should be included in all subjects. Elementary schools have the choice to introduce alternative programs. There is a fear, however, that due to being included in the official State school system, these programs might lose attractiveness. More support
for out of school programs and alternative forms of education are needed. Many NGOs are involved in environmental education and public awareness raising programs. The media need to present environmental issues in a format that is more attractive to the public.
REC * PUBLICATIONS * STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 1 * ANNEX
