UNESCO Schools Group
Andy Mydellton is a member of the UK Commission group for UNESCO Schools, and adviser to them on the fourth study theme of Environmental Concern. There are a number of ongoing projects such as the Wildlife Gardening and Animal feeding Station Project (WAFS).
Briefly, this is where a patch of land in a school has been set aside for plants to grow, that have been specifically chosen to attract certain animals. These plants can be monitored over time, as can be the animals that visit or live on them.Therefore caterpillars, butterflies, insects, birds and mammals can all be studied. This can be cross-curricular, classroom or extra-mural studies used at various levels. It can be appealing for all ages and for every person in our concept the 'Every Individual Matters'. This can be modified for each school and all of its users.
So far, Highfield Primary School, Hillingdon has used this to extremely effective levels. They have joined the UNESCO Schools project and will be linking with a similar school in Nepal. Moreover, this project has been installed into a Nepalese School; this is a new initiative which has never before been successfully worked.
Environmental Concern
This theme allows students to link international issues affecting the global environment to individual, local or national realities. Within this framework, they can be encouraged to confront problems of local concern, which may lead them to develop strategies for the same or similar problems at both national and international levels. Activities in this area include studies on pollution, energy, forest conservation, marine and atmospheric research, soil erosion and conservation of natural resources, desertification, the "greenhouse effect", sustainable development, recycling "Agenda 21", etc. and ultimately on how science contributes to the future of humanity. Subsequent to reflection in the classroom, community-oriented projects are often conducted to improve immediate local needs.
Geneva Visit
Andy Mydellton, the Associate Schools' Group Adviser for the UK Commission in UNESCO and Ron Bishop visited the UNESCO Palace at Geneva. Binod and Surmilla Neupane were also there for the three day Conference. There were also more meetings especially arranged for the Foundation at the IUCN headquarters at Gland and the CITES group of UNEP at Geneva. For more information, please visit the Conserving Wildlife magazine, issue number 3.