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The
Learning About Forests programme is inspired by the experiences of established
programmes in Finland, Norway and Sweden, where forest-based
industries have co-operated with independent national school
programmes for over 25 years.
These programmes have been remarkably successful in raising
awareness among pupils about the importance of forests. A recent
survey developed on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment in
Norway has, for example, documented that approximately half of
all teachers in the country had used part of the programme
materials frequently or very frequently.
The idea of developing a European schools-forests network arose in 1996, when
representatives of the Foundation for Environmental Education in
Europe and forest-based industries met at a conference sponsored
by the European Union. The Foundation for Environmental
Education recognised the potential of the programme with regard
to raising awareness and knowledge about forests across Europe.
After about three years of preparatory work, the programme was
launched in 1999. The pilot years were funded by the Alliance
for beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE), the Finnish
Forest Industries Federation, the Swedish Forest Industries
Federation, the Norwegian Learning With Forest programme and the
Danish Outdoor Council.
Short descriptions of the partner organisations are included
below:
The
Alliance for beverage Cartons and the Environment
ACE is an international coalition of paperboard and beverage
carton manufacturers, working to raise the awareness of the
consumer on the environmental benefits of utilising carton for
packaging purposes.
You can learn more about ACE at:
www.ace.be
The
Danish Outdoor Council
The Council is an umbrella organisation for more than 90 Danish
NGOs involved in outdoor activities. The primary purpose of
the Council is to promote access to outdoor recreation for NGOs
and the general public, while also taking environmental and
nature protection issues into consideration. The Danish Outdoor
Council is the Danish member of the Foundation for Environmental
Education, and hosts the International Co-ordinations for the
Blue Flag programme. More information on the Council can be
found at: www.friluftsraadet.dk
The
Finnish Forest Industries Federation
The Finnish Forest Industries Federation represents about 120
Finnish enterprises. Its members comprise 95 per cent of the
nation's wood-processing sector, which produces pulp, paper,
paperboard, sawn timber and wood-based panels.
A key task for the Federation is to promote the sector's joint
interests and operating conditions in Finland and abroad as well
as to improve the public image and awareness of the
characteristics of the Finnish forest industries. In Finland
forest education in schools is carried out by the Finnish Forest
Association with whom the Finnish Forest Industries Federation
cooperates.
You can find more information on the Federation at:
www.forestindustries.fi
The
Foundation for Environmental Education
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), initially
established in Europe, is now a growing global organisation. Its
founders were experts of an environmental education group of the
Council of Europe. Representatives of France, Spain, Germany and
Denmark signed the founding charter in 1981 in the Netherlands.
The aim of the Foundation for Environmental Education is to
foster environmental education. This aim is fulfilled through
both environmental education actions, lobbying and awareness
raising at national and international levels. The Foundation is,
however, first and foremost, a pragmatic and action-oriented
organisation.
You can learn more about the Foundation for Environmental
Education and its programmes at:
www.fee-international.org
www.blueflag.org
www.eco-schools.org
www.youngreporters.org
Learning
with the Forest
The Norwegian Learning with the Forest (Lære med Skogen)
programme started in 1983. The programme has been introduced to
schools through a cooperative arrangement between public and
private forestry organisations. The programme was developed in
response to changing methodology in forestry practices and
public concern with the management of recreational areas.
The Norwegian forestry and forest industry profession has thus
built up a carefully designed system of education and
information to establish a basis for dialogue. The goal is to
develop public knowledge about responsible forest management
based on scientific research and about sustainable use of a
renewable resource.
You can find out more about the Norwegian programme at:
www.skogkurs.no/lms
The
Swedish Forest Industries Federation
The Federation represents approximately 340 companies from the
forest-related industries of Sweden. The primary purpose of the
Federation is to represent and promote the interests of the
members on such areas as industrial policy and employers’
rights. Priority areas are forest policy, transport policy,
recycling and environment and energy policy.
You can learn more about the Federation at:
www.skogsindustrierna.org
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