Education Centre for Environmental Protection

Preamble 

In 1977, Tbilisi hosted the first intergovernmental conference with participation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The conference was supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the “Tbilisi Declaration on Environmental Education” was adopted at the meeting.  It is publicly considered that the contemporary views on the subject of the global environmental education were founded in Tbilisi. Unfortunately, this type of education is less developed in our country. The training courses regarding the management of environmental protection are not carried out. Nevertheless, the field specialists are highly in demand in Georgia. 

The mandatory nature of environmental education is declared in the legislation of the country. In 1996, the framework legislation on “Environmental Protection” was adopted. This legislation defined the key principles of the country in the sphere of environmental protection, including environmental education. According to the Article 8 of the legislation (“Education in Environmental Protection Sphere”), the common system of environmental education implies the network of educational institutions for staff training and qualification increasing, with the purpose of raising the level of civic environmental protection and training specialists. According to the Article 9 of this legislation (Study of Environmental Protection Principles), the common system of environmental education covers the elementary, secondary, professional and higher educational steps. 

The second item of the legislation entrusts the study programs of the educational institutions to provide the mandatory basic knowledge relating to environmental protection and rational use of resources. 

The studying of the special courses in environmental protection, management and ecology and other course with environmental protection profile is planned at secondary, professional and higher educational institutions. According to the Decree N 84 (October 18, 2004, the Government of Georgia) “Approve of the National Objectives of General Education”, the national goals relating to the general education were defined. In accordance to the Decree, adults must know in what kind of natural environmental condition they live; how a person could attack the environment, how could be the environment protected and maintained. 

Ilia State University incorporates the relevant resource to launch the basis for environmental education in the country, to support the study of environmental protection and to provide the training of specialists. 

The Centre aims:

• Support the studying process in the area of environmental protection, conservation biology and sustainable usage issues at schools of general education and institutions of higher education
• Support the implanting of modern methods and approaches of environment management
• Train and increase the qualification of managers/specialists working in the  sphere of environmental protection and natural resources 
• Support the integration of environmental protection and sustainable usage related issues into the study programs 
• Materials preparation/ translation/ adaptation in the area of environmental protection, conservation biology and sustainable usage 

The Centre will carry out the following programs: 

1. Continuous Education Professional Training Programs   

• Management of the Protected Territories, Hunting and Forestry 

2. Certificate Programs 

• Assessment of Environmental Influence;
• Strategic Environmental Evaluation;
• Environmental Protection and International Trade;
• Environment Protection Audits
• Inspection of Environmental Protection
• Interpretation Programs in Protected Areas 
• International Trade of Extinct Species 
• Observing the Law in the Sphere of Environmental Protection 
• Study of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Usage Related Issues at Schools of General Education 
• Biodiversity Research and Monitoring of the Field Methods 
• Use of Geo-information Systems in Environment Management 

Target Groups: 

• Teachers of Schools of General Education and Institutions of Higher Education 
• Officials working in the field of environment protection and natural resources use and managers/specialists working in the private sector 
• Bachelor and Master Level Students 

The University resources will be used in the works of the Centre: Library, the University Bases in Grigoleti, Stepandstminda, Dedofliskharo.  The Centre will cooperate with ISU Institutions and Centres ( Institute of Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Research Centre for Entomology and Biocontrol , Centre for Teachers’ Professional Support, Tourism Centre and etc.). The courses are led by the staff members of the Centres, visiting specialists and PhD students.

Perspectives: 

The Centre plans to take part in the international programs, cooperates with foreign schools, universities, publishing press and other centres, holds international conferences, organizes public lectures and etc.   The minor and major bachelor programs will be prepared in the near future.