The President of Latvia launches FEE General Assembly in Riga

In the setting of the national Library in Riga, the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis launched our two-day 2018 General Assembly (GA). Members from across our FEE global network joined together as the President talked about the need for sustainability and finding solutions to excess consumption.

“Environmental awareness must be in the heart of everyone,” President of Latvia

The Chairwoman for both days of the GA was FEE Board of Directors President Lesley Jones, who was elected as the first female President of FEE at the previous General Assembly in 2016. Our members were treated to a packed itinerary of sessions, including FEE’s overall objective and strategic plans for the next two years, as well as those of our five individual programmes. Other sessions included our financial reporting since 2016, new communication initiatives and plans to develop our Regional African Network. New lesson plans for the YRE and Eco-Schools programmes on Litter and Waste were launched to assist the Litter Less Campaign.

There were sessions showcasing our latest developments, the revamping and relaunching of our Global Forest Fund, and the idea of an online FEE University which would enable members to access online material.

“This will be an opportunity for our members to increase their knowledge and skills, while allowing them to connect more intimately with FEE, its programmes and structure,” Board Member Laura Hickey.

The main talking point for the second day of the GA was the possible addition of a sixth FEE programme called the Sustainable Community programme. Board member Amine Ahlafi gave an overview which included developing an eco-label or award within the new programme that would include a strong emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals and embrace the full spectrum of sustainability-related activities. Break out groups were organised to discuss the pros, cons and benefits of such a programme, and their feedback was then shared between our members.

FEE members also voted for a new FEE Board of Directors member, after it was announced that Boris Šušmak would be stepping down from his position. After the votes were cast, Sasha Karajovic, Executive Director of ECOM (Environmental Consultancy of Montenegro) was invited to join the board.

 “I believe that with my valuable experience and as a representative of a small volunteer organisation with limited sources which ‘out of nothing’ makes something very valuable and recognisable in Montenegro, I can contribute to the whole FEE family and FEE Board of Directors,” Sasha Karajovic.

“This was a very productive General Assembly and I think our most successful to date. I am so proud that we came together and had the opportunity to discuss our exciting new developments and receive valuable feedback.  This will enable FEE to keep expanding as we continue to contribute to a more sustainable world,” Daniel Schaffer, CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

For the finale to celebrate our FEE global network, our national hosts FEE Latvia organised 500 Latvian young people to join each of our FEE member countries by waving their national flags outside the national library.

FEE Broadens its International Network with new Member from Chile

The Chilean organisation Fundación Educarse has joined Instituto Ambientes em Rede from Brazil and ACODAL from Colombia as the third South American member of the FEE network. The FEE Board of Directors approved Fundación Educarse's application for associate membership at their June meeting in Slovenia. 

FEE, which was an exclusively European organisation before going global with the admission of its South African member in 2001, has been endevouring to expand its international presence in underrepresented regions. Some notable efforts towards this goal include initiating and participating in meeting and conferences in targeted regions, working with regional leaders to develop an African network of FEE members, and seeking out new sources of funding to support members from less affluent regions. 

CEO Daniel Schaffer's visit to Chile and other Central and South American countries in January is one example of how these strategies are beginning to pay off. His meetings with Fundación Educarse and other prominent Chilean stakeholders laid the groundwork that ultimately resulted in Chile joining the FEE network. Diego M. Ramírez Cárcamo is one of the founding members and the current director of Fundación Educarse, and he has been one of the biggest advocates for bringing the FEE programmes to Chile. 

"Fundación Educarse recognizes that today education is the most important strategic axis in the social responsibility global model," says Mr. Cárcamo. "We believe that social transformation starts with the participation and active collaboration of all actors of the communities, forming and promoting its own models of sustainability for the integral development of the territory."

Fundación Educarse plans to operate the Blue Flag and Eco-Schools programmes in Chile. According to Mr. Cárcamo, the organisation was attracted to these programmes because "Fundación Educarse has professionals linked to the sea and the coastline, as well as prestigious and experienced teachers, who understood from the outset that the Blue Flag and Eco-Schools programmes are necessary to implement in Chile given their reputation and results obtained in other countries. In the case of Blue Flag, we hope to deepen the awareness regarding the care of the beaches and the coastal border of Chile, as well as enhance the destination image of the communes where the flags are set."

The successful establishment a new member in Chile reinforces the truly global nature of the FEE network. The FEE programmes can be applied in all countries and regions, and the network is strengthened by its geographic and cultural diversity. If more regional organisations are inspired to follow Fundación Educarse's example, then our network can look forward to welcoming more South American members in the future. 

All photos courtesy of Fundación Educarse and Diego M. Ramírez Cárcamo

Laura Hickey Travels to USVI for Mentor Visit and Eco-Schools Development

Laura Hickey, the FEE Board of Directors member who oversees the Eco-Schools programme, travelled to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) from 13-18 May for a mentor visit to USVI National Operator Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS). Traditionally, the purpose of mentor visits is to offer guidance and assistance to new member organisations as they develop the FEE programmes at the national level and evolve towards full FEE membership. In addition to the mentor visit, one of the goals of the trip was to advance the establishment of the Eco-Schools programme in USVI, where the Blue Flag programme has been operating successfully for years. Laura was also able to witness some of the damage caused by the devastating 2017 hurricane season and the inspiring recovery efforts taking place on the islands. 

St. Thomas 

Laura's first stop on her trip was the beautiful island of St. Thomas, home to the country's capital and nearly half of its population. She was met by Valerie Peters, the Blue Flag and Eco-Schools coordinator from VICS, who would be her guide during her time in the islands. One of the first stops was Coral World Ocean Park, whose mission is to ensure that the young people of St. Thomas understand and appreciate the island's marine life. The park's owners are among the advocates for the Eco-Schools programme in USVI. Laura also met with many other supporters of Eco-Schools on St. Thomas, including state senators, representatives from the public school system, and local environmental activists. It was encouraging to see such enthusiastic support for the Eco-Schools programme from so many various stakeholders on the island. 

Of course, Valerie also arranged for Laura to visit some of the local schools on St. Thomas. First were two elementary schools, Bowsky Elementary and Lockhart Elementary, where enironmental education initiatives are already underway. The schools have several garden plots and raised garden beds in place (although Lockhart's were badly damaged by the hurricanes), with plans to develop many more outdoor learning centers in the near future. Next was Charlotte-Amalie High School, the largest high school on St. Thomas. The high school has already registered as an Eco-School, and the school's leadership is planning to hold a professional development session for the school's teachers before the end of the term. 

As part of her mentor visit, Laura also visited several Blue Flag sites on the island. Unfortunately, many of the Blue Flag sites suffered substantial damage during the hurricanes last year, and none will be ready for the 2018 Blue Flag season. Recovery efforts are underway, however, and many sites are hopeful that they will be ready to re-apply for the Blue Flag in 2019. 

St. Croix 

From St. Thomas, Laura and Valerie travelled to St. Croix, which is the largest island in USVI. They again had many productive meetings with prominent local stakeholders and proponents of Eco-Schools on the island. There is enthusiastic support for Eco-Schools on St. Croix, and many individuals and organisations are willing to work towards making the programme a success. Laura and Valerie also toured the local botanical gardens and visited several Blue Flag sites on the island. 

The schools that Laura and Valerie visited on St. Croix were truly impressive. First was Claude O. Markoe Elementary, where the general science educator Ms. Tysha St. Jules has already implemented an extensive outdoor gardening education project. The students write daily journal observations about the garden and even make their own natural pesticides using cayenne pepper, dish soap, and water. Claude O. Maroke Elementary is now the first school in USVI to receive the Eco-Schools bronze award! Inspired by Claude O. Maroke Elementary's success, several other elementary schools in the district have expressed interest in Eco-Schools. Laura and Valerie also visited the St. Croix Career and Technical Center and an alternative education site for at-risk youth. Both saw the potential value in adapting the Eco-Schools programme to their own educational needs. 

Hurricane Recovery 

In September 2017, USVI, along with many of its neighbours in the Caribbean, was hit by two successive category five hurricanes. Hurricanes Irma and Maria left a significant mark on the islands from which they are still working to recover. A third of the country's 103,000 residents have applied for recovery assistance from FEMA and other government agencies. Extensive damage was done to USVI's infrastructure, vegetation, and beautiful beaches and marinas. Of the 32 public K-12 schools on the islands, eight were either completely destroyed by the hurricanes or damaged to the point that they had to be torn down. Students are now forced to share school buildings and attend classes in shifts until new schools can be constructed. Still, there are reasons for optimism. Most residents have had power restored to their homes, and people are beginning to look forward to life returning to how it was before the storms. 29% of the public schools in USVI have already registered for the Eco-Schools programme, and it is expected that by fall 2018 that number will jump to 40-50%. USVI's youth will be the next stewards of the islands, and the Eco-Schools programme will play a part in ensuring that the future is in good hands. 

“What’s most impressive about the US Virgin Islands is the resiliency of its people. They are recovering from such a hard blow from the 2017 hurricanes, yet are rebuilding, and it’s amazing how resourceful they are. They live in an island paradise, but it’s one that they work for, sweat for, and protect to the best of their ability– and all with a calm and joyful attitude. ”

— Laura Hickey, FEE Board of Directors

All photos courtesy of Laura Hickey

New Senior Education Director for the Foundation for Environmental Education

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Pramod Kumar Sharma as the new Senior Director of Education. This is a new position within the FEE structure. 

Pramod has over 17 years of experience working with environmental education and Education for Sustainable Development and has until recently been the Programme Director at the Centre for Environment Education in India. In his new position at FEE, he will be responsible for the overall programme development, administration, supervision, and evaluation of the three formal educational programmes (Eco-Schools, LEAF, and YRE). He will also directly supervise two International Programme Directors (LEAF and YRE) and a full-time Eco-Schools Programme Coordinator.

Pramod will also provide managerial oversight of the educational components within the other two non-formal education programmes (Blue Flag and Green Key).

“We are certain that Dr. Sharma’s extensive hands on and managerial experience in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) will provide FEE and its programmes the ability to continue to develop positive and solution based educational activities and content.  This will allow FEE to continue its role as an ESD global leader,” says Daniel Schaffer, Chief Executive Officer of FEE. 

Eco-Schools Students in England Take Part in the Great Plastic Pick Up

On 11 May, Eco-Schools students at St. Mary's Catholic Primary School in Maidenhead, England were joined by British Prime Minister Theresa May for the launch of the Great Plastic Pick Up. The Great Plastic Pick Up is a campaign created by the Daily Mail and FEE National Operator in England Keep Britain Tidy with the goal to "turn the tide on plastic."  From 11-13 May, 12,000 volunteers at 1,100 sites across the United Kingdom removed tonnes of plastic and other litter from the UK's streets, beaches, and beauty spots.

Theresa May's visit was not the first time that St. Mary's has been singled out for its commitment to environmental education. On 13 March, the school was chosen from among hundreds of nominees as the winner of The Greenest School Award at the first ever Green Heart Hero Awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in London. The school has also been awarded five green flags over the course of its ten years of participation in the Eco-Schools programme. 

“This accolade is an acknowledgement of our school striving to be sustainable over the last decade... The event saw our pupils being acknowledged for their determination to make a difference in this world and preserve this beautiful planet for future generations.”

— St. Mary's Primary Catholic School on its Greenest School Award

St. Mary's was not the only Eco-School to get involved in the Great Plastic Pick Up.  Many Eco-Schools students from the 18,400 registered Eco-Schools across England organised their own litter pick ups in conjunction with the campaign. In an effort to further expand its environmental education curriculum, Eco-Schools England will launch the Marine and Coast theme on 4 June. Since plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the environmental health of marine and coastal zones, the Great Plastic Pick Up was an opportunity for Eco-Schools students to get an early start on activities related to the Marine and Coast theme. Check out the hashtag #GreatPlasticPickUp on social media to see some of their activities. 

Thumbnail image: Keep Britain Tidy

FEE Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to 21st Century Global Education

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is proud to be identified as one of ten organisations excelling at educating young people around the world in the new book Building Bridges to the Future: Global Case Studies of Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century. The publication is the result of years of research from Connie K. Chung, former Associate Director of Harvard Graduate School of Education's Global Education Innovation Initiative, and several other academic professionals in the education field. The book explores the need for educational practices to be adapted to a rapidly changing world, using FEE and the other featured organisations as best practice examples.

“In writing this book, we hoped to show that teaching and learning to equip all children in all
contexts to create a better future for themselves and their communities is possible.”

— Building Bridges to the Future: Global Case Studies of Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century

The organisations included in the case studies were chosen because of their innovative and effective approaches to preparing young people to meet the challenges of an increasingly globalised world.  All of the featured organisations meet some key criteria, notably the adaptability of their programmes to local contexts,  a recognition of the importance of global partnerships, a focus on capacity building and continued learning, and a vision that looks to the future and empowers young people to work for the changes they want to see in the world. 

According to author Connie K. Chung, FEE was selected as one of the featured organisations because "I appreciated the thoughtfulness of the stated organisational theory of change; it includes not only impacting young people's knowledge but integrating learning, reflecting, and taking action together with others. I also appreciated that FEE sees itself integrating with not only schools but the wider community beyond schools, such as families, businesses, and governmental organisations, using collaborative and democratic approaches to create positive change."

“FEE’s long history of sustained work in this area and the recognition of its work by a variety of organisations (NAAEE, UN, etc) also shows that its work is sustainable and has integrity, depth, breadth, and reach in operating in 76 countries and 6 continents. ”

— Connie K. Chung

Building Bridges to the Future: Global Case Studies of Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century is available for no cost from Smashwords, iTunes, and Barnes and Noble, and for $0.99 USD on Amazon. 

FEE Head Office Bids Farewell to Two Longtime Colleagues

The FEE Head Office in Copenhagen bid a fond farewell to two of our admired and valued colleagues in March: Bríd Conneely and Yukiko Tsuburaya. 

Bríd joined FEE in September 2012 and served as the director of the Eco-Schools programme until her last day in the office on 9 March. In her nearly six years as the Eco-Schools Director, Bríd demonstrated her sincere commitment to Eco-Schools every day through her outstanding work. Her enthusiastic love for the programme and dedication to Education for Sustainable Development were never in doubt. Bríd is passionate about sustainability and always encouraged all of us to do our parts to protect the environment. Her easygoing attitude, warm spirit, and sense of humour will be missed around the office. We wish Bríd nothing but the best in all of her future endeavours. 

Yukiko has been a member of the FEE family for many years. She joined the FEE Head Office in Copenhagen almost four years ago, having worked for FEE Japan for five years prior to that. She made the tough decision to leave FEE on 16 March to return to her home country and pursue the next phase of her career there. Yukiko worked tirelessly and passionately as the the Young Reporters for the Environment Coordinator, the Litter Less Campaign Coordinator, and the FEE Fundraising Coordinator. Yukiko also has a keen eye for graphic design and was always willing to share her expertise. Her colleagues at the FEE Head Office will miss her quiet positivity, kindness, and eager work ethic. We are certain that Yukiko has a bright career ahead of her and will continue to make a positive impact on the world. 

FEE CEO Daniel Schaffer Visits Mexico and South America

In January, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Schaffer travelled to Mexico, Chile, and Argentina on behalf of FEE. The purpose of the visits was to participate in a General Motors (GM)-sponsored workshop in Mexico while exploring opportunities for potential expansion in South America.  

The first stop was Toluca, a city located about 60 km southwest of Mexico City, for a GM-sponsored FEE workshop on 9-10 January. FEE Mexico runs a thriving Eco-Schools programme, and the workshop proved to be a valuable forum for discussion and collaboration. The workshop was also an opportunity for stakeholders from Mexico and Brazil to discuss the Eco-Green Project, an exciting campaign being implemented in the region through a partnership between GM and FEE's LEAF (Learning About Forests) programme. International LEAF Director Barry McGonigal accompanied Daniel on this leg of the trip. Topics of discussion during the workshop included Eco-Schools best practices, ESD (Education for Sustainable Development), and how to integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning into the Eco-Schools programme. 

While the workshop itself was a great success, it was the excursions to local Eco-Schools that Daniel and Barry found particularly inspiring. The schools that they visited were shining examples of how successful the Eco-Schools programme can be. The values and lessons of the Eco-Schools programme were fully integrated into every aspect of the schools, from the curriculum to the physical design of the school grounds. Everyone from upper level administrators, to teachers, to the students themselves were fully committed to making the Eco-Schools programme a central part of the educational experience. Daniel and Barry were excited and moved by these visits, and believe that the quality and spirit of the Mexico Eco-Schools programme can radiate out through the local community and the region at large. 

Daniel would like to extend a special thanks to GM and the whole team at FEE Mexico for their role in making this meaningful trip possible. 

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Daniel's next stop was the beautiful seaside resort town of Puerto Vallarta. There, he attended an awards ceremony celebrating Grupo Posadas, a large Mexican hotel group whose 160 properties all participate in the Green Key programme. Daniel also conducted physical audits of two Green Key hotels in Puerto Vallarta, and was very impressed with both properties' commitment to upholding and exceeding the Green Key criteria. One of these hotels, the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort, goes above and beyond by maintaining an on-site nursery to ensure that guests have access to fresh, local food at the resort's restaurants. 

Part of what distinguishes the Green Key programme from other eco-tourism labels is its  environmental education component. Green Key establishments have a mission to educate their staffs about eco-tourism standards and to promote an environmentally aware mindset in their communities. These ideals are reflected by the Grupo Posadas hotels, where enthusiasm for the programme has trickled down from upper level management, through the ranks of the hotel employees, and has begun to spread out into the local community. Daniel was impressed to see how Grupo Posadas has implemented the Green Key programme on such a large scale. For such an undertaking to be successful, operators at every level of the organisation must buy into the ideals of the Green Key programme and enthusiastically embrace its environmental standards. 

Special thanks to Green Key Mexico National Operators Joaquín Díaz Ríos and Rebecca Sanchez for coordinating this portion of the trip.  

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After Mexico, Daniel headed south to visit several sites in South America. The first stop was Villarica, Chile, where he met with Martín Bascopé and others from the Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile. The university is interested in the school-based FEE programmes (Eco-Schools, LEAF, and YRE), as well as a local initiative to bring Green Key and Blue Flag to Villarica. The university hopes to involve the indigenous Mapuche people of the region in this push for environmental education programmes in the region as well. 

Daniel then continued on to Chile's capital city, Santiago. There, the Fundación EDUCARSE arranged for him to meet with various municipal authorities, Chilean Navy officers, leaders from Viña del Mar University, and representatives from Chilean indigenous groups to discuss the possibility of bringing FEE programmes to Chile. The local stakeholders seemed particularly interested in the Eco-Schools and Blue Flag programmes, and everything seems to be in place to bring Chile into the FEE member network soon. 

Thanks to Martín Bascopé from Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile and Diego Ramirez Carcamo from Fundación EDUCARSE for organising Daniel's time in Chile. 

The next stop on the itinerary was Buenos Aires, Argentina, where environmental activist Francesca Abeltino and her filmmaker partner Antonio Molina arranged meetings with prominent NGO Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, the Ministry of Environment, and Damasia Ezcurra of the Buenos Aires Green Schools Programme. These organisations have all expressed interest in FEE programmes, and Francesca Abeltino is enthusiastically driving the cause to make Argentina part of the FEE network. 

After Buenos Aires, Daniel, Francesca, and Antonio continued south to the Patagonia region of Argentina to meet with members of the Fundación Patagonia Natural, an NGO with an interest in the Blue Flag programme. 

Daniel would like to extend his sincerest thanks to Francesca for arranging three fruitful days in Argentina, and for her passion for the FEE programmes and the future of enviornmental education in Argentina. 

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While FEE has long had a robust presence in Europe, one of the organisation's goals going forward is to continue to expand into new regions. Efforts like Daniel's visit to South America, along with the example set by FEE organisations in Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, have the potential to spark more South American interest in FEE. The Spanish-speaking countries that have already joined the FEE network posses the resources to ease the way for others who would like to follow in their footsteps. The hope is that the knowledge of these Spanish-speaking members will encourage others in the region to consider joining FEE as well. FEE is a collaborative organisation, and the potential for positive impact is maximized when members help one another through participation in the FEE network. It is this collaborative effort that will allow FEE to continue to grow and thrive in South America in the years to come. 

January Board of Directors Meeting in Warsaw, Poland

The FEE Board of Directors met for the first time in 2018 on 26 January at the Radisson Blu Sobieski hotel in Warsaw, Poland. 

During the meeting, the Board of Directors approved the 2018 financial budget and discussed general organisation business. They also approved ACODAL from Colombia for associate FEE membership. You can read more about ACODAL and Biosfera 1, the other newest FEE member organisation, here.

One of the most interesting topics up for discussion was the continuing effort to trademark the FEE programmes. In 2017, the Board of Directors decided that FEE would begin the process of trademarking its programmes. At the time of the January meeting, trademark licensing within all European Union countries had been finalized for the Foundation for Environmental Education, Green Key, Blue Flag, and Eco-Schools brands. The next step will be to apply for trademark licensing in countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the Madrid Convention. The Board expects that the first portion of these trademark applications will have been approved by the time of the FEE general assembly in September. 

After the meeting, the rest of the day was dedicated to a strategic workshop outlining the short and long term goals that FEE should focus on as it continues to grow and develop into the future. 

That evening, the Board of Directors was treated to a tour of Warsaw, including a stop at the "Charm of the PRL" Museum to learn about what life was like during the time of the Polish People's Republic. 

The next Board of Directors meeting will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark on 12-13 April. 

FEE Welcomes Two New Member Organisations

FEE is growing in 2018! We are very pleased to welcome two new member organisations to the FEE network: ACODAL from Colombia and Biosfera 1 from Cabo Verde.

The Asociación Colombiana de Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ambiental (ACODAL) is a not-for-profit trade association of private and public sector organisations invested in water, sanitation, and environmental engineering issues in Colombia. ACODAL works to promote environmentally sound engineering practices in Colombia and abroad through education, scientific research, and environmental projects, with a particular focus on protecting and conserving water resources. 

Biosfera 1, based on São Vicente in the Cabo Verde archipelago, is an NGO dedicated to the preservation of Cabo Verde's natural heritage. Their mission is centered on Cabo Verde's coastal and marine ecosystems and the protection of their unique and diverse fauna. Through educational and technical training programmes, Biosfera 1 works to teach the people of Cabo Verde about biodiversity loss and to inspire them to advocate for the preservation of their natural resources. 

You can learn more about the newest FEE member organisations by visiting their websites:

ACODAL

Biosfera 1

FEE Christmas Volunteering Day 2017

On Friday 8 December, FEE Head Office personnel visited the Danish Red Cross Volunteer House in Copenhagen as part of their teambuilding Christmas outing.

The Danish Red Cross organises a two-day event before Christmas annually.  The event is a Christmas Sale for which a variety of items have been donated from well-known brands and designers. The clothes, jewellery and artifacts are sold at very low prices.

The FEE Head Office team comes in after the Christmas Sale and helps by collecting up the remaining clothes and materials and repacking them for recycling, then cleaning up the place where the event took place.

All funds that the Danish Red Cross collects during their Christmas Sale goes to the Red Cross’s work for vulnerable people throughout the world.

This was the fourth time that the team assisted the Danish Red Cross with their Christmas Sale, and has turned out to be an enjoyable pre-Christmas tradition for the FEE Head Office.

FEE Global Action Days 2017

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) once again invited everyone around the world to participate in promoting their work through FEE Global Action Days: a week-long showcasing of the amazing work carried out by FEE members during the week of 6-12 November 2017.

Global Action is a campaign by FEE for all students, teachers and communities around the world to actively share their activities towards being more sustainable in our modern world.

On 10 November, the FEE Head Office personnel gathered to collect all the inspiring and positive actions from across the world and shared them on all our social media platforms, promoting sustainable development and awareness-raising activities, reaching thousands of people across the world.

Here is what FEE’s President, Lesley Jones, shared about our international campaign:

“We’re delighted to be celebrating Global Actions Days and raising awareness of the positive action that is taking place around the world to create a more sustainable society.  

We’re proud to work with members in 73 countries – reaching out across the globe to thousands of businesses and organisations, as well as millions of students. The commitment and innovation of those involved in FEE programmes can’t be underestimated and deserves to be showcased on the global stage.

Hundreds of stories have already been shared – from students in Turkey using insects to protect forests, to a Latvian holiday park making the switch to locally sourced energy.  I’d encourage everyone to make the most of this opportunity and take part in Global Action Days - promote positive action, share learning with international partners and help inspire the rest of the world.

Finally, on behalf of FEE, I’d like to thank our members, partners and programme participants. Thank you for everything that you do to bring about positive change. By working together, we can ensure a sustainable world for us, our children and future generations.”

The next FEE Global Action Days will take place during the week of 16-22 April 2018.

So, save the dates and plan your actions for next year’s #FEEGAD!

Until then, join our Facebook group to stay up-to-date!

FEE at COP23 in Bonn, Germany

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is pleased to announce its partnership agreement with the UN Climate Change for the participation of YRE students at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP23), taking place in Boon, Germany from 6-17 November.

The partnership aims at promoting the implementation of climate action, as well as the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

During COP23, the Foundation for Environmental Education will host a mini event at the UNESCO Pavilion at 10:00 on Thursday 16 November.

Title: Climate Education - how far are we?

The importance of Climate Education is undeniable. Changing people’s perception and behaviour through education is the way to create long-lasting positive impact. Guest speakers showcase their achievements and allow the audience to learn how Climate Education influences people and think about how we can improve.

Guest speakers

1)      Kenza Khallafi – The Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection

2)      Allison Gacad – Student, Young Reporters for the Environment, FEE

3)      Charles Hopkins – UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Teacher Education to Address Sustainability, York University

4)      Libby Giles – Global Citizenship Education Director

One of the five FEE programmes, Young Reporters for the Environment, has selected four young reporters to represent the programme at COP23. They will be reporting about the conference from the perspective of youth. More information can be found here: http://www.yre.global/stories-news/2017/11/7/young-reporters-at-the-cop-23

Eco-Schools Growing Strong in Russia

Former FEE President, Jan Eriksen, was invited by our member organisation, Keep St Petersburg Tidy, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the FEE Eco-Schools programme in Russia earlier this month. During his stay, he conducted a presentation during an Eco-Schools event, which numerous schools and kindergartens attended and participated in the Green Flag awarding ceremony.

Furthermore, he attended a conference chaired by a representative from the St Petersburg Educational Department about Environmental Education, Eco-Schools, and an Austrian financed Environmental Education programme.  Following this, Jan Eriksen travelled to Irkutsk where he met the team responsible for the Eco-Schools programme and visited the centre for educational facilities for outdoor activities.

He also headed north of Irkutsk in order to give a presentation about the Eco-Schools programme, as well as to visit a kindergarten, where he was impressed by the institution’s extraordinary recycling scheme which included endless facilities at the playground made out of every material, from plastic containers to tyres.  All 27 staff of the kindergarten gathered that Sunday to celebrate the award of their Eco-Schools Green Flag.

The FEE former President also visited Ulan-Ude in the Burijat region where he joined students and teachers from the Cadet School as they celebrated their Eco-Schools Green Flag.  Jan also found time to visit an orphanage in Tahoy where he presented them with the Eco-Schools Green Flag at the award ceremony.

Jan Eriksen commented that the Eco-Schools programme in Russia took some time to grow, but the work and the engagement is enormous today.

Board of Directors’ Meeting in Utrecht, Netherlands

The FEE Board of Directors meets four times every year and is in charge of the overall political management of FEE. This time the Board of Directors’ meeting took place on 13 October and was hosted by FEE’s Dutch members at the Green Key and Blue Flag Headquarters in Utrecht, Netherlands.

On this occasion, the Board of Directors stayed at a Green Key awarded hotel, NH Center Utrecht, right in the centre of the city.  The board used bicycles, a sustainable transport method, to travel to all meetings and events they attended, thereby experiencing the famous Dutch biking culture. Utrecht is one of the most bike-friendly places in one of the most bike-friendly countries in the world. Even the Dutch prime minister was seen arriving at the King’s castle on a bike.

During the meeting, the FEE Financial Standing Orders & Regulations, as well as the Risk Management strategy were approved by the Board of Directors.

On 14 October, the full day was dedicated to a FEE strategy workshop, aiming at initiating a strategic discussion across FEE’s organisations and stakeholders by capturing board members’ perspectives and insights on strategy, long-term goals, and areas requiring strengthening or development. The external facilitator, Noam Gressel Ph.D., came from Israel to guide the Board of Directors through this workshop.

The next FEE Board of Directors’ meeting will take place in January.

PRESS RELEASE: Climate Change and Rebuilding Sustainably

The International Blue Flag Jury meeting took place only a few hours before Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico so violently on 19 September 2017, and a few days after Hurricanes Irma and Jose devastated the Caribbean Islands and the USA.  From the countries proudly flying the Blue Flag,  Bahamas, Dominican Republic, French Department and Territories, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten and US Virgin Islands have seen damages, and in some cases losses, after these terrible weather episodes.

“We would like to express our most sincere solidarity and hope for quick recovery to all affected countries of the recent natural disasters occurring in the Caribbean and Mexico region” commented Lourdes Diaz Colón, Chairwoman of the International Blue Flag Jury. “The International Jury would like to make sure that all the sites affected by these catastrophic phenomenona will return to their former condition. Thus, we wish to express our willingness to provide technical guidance and support when remodeling these sites in the future to guarantee that the Blue Flag criteria are met.  We especially reach out to the Blue Flag applicants impacted, and also to other sites that have the will to be part of the International Blue Flag network,”.
 
Unfortunately, these episodes will become more recurrent and stronger due to climate change. The International Jury, not only as an awarding authority for the Blue Flag, but also as a community of international organisations and experts in the fields of environmental education, safety, services, management and tourism, wishes to highlight the importance of resilient and sustainable ways of thinking, working, and rebuilding after these major climate occurrences.
 
During the International Jury’s meeting, 131 sites have been awarded for the 2017-2018 Blue Flag season in the Southern Hemisphere, 91 beaches, 20 marinas and 22 boats within nine countries running the Blue Flag programme in this part of the world. Globally, the Blue Flag is proudly flying over 3,667 beaches, 681 marinas and 72 boats in 2017.
 
The Blue Flag International Jury also approved the feasibility study for South Korea, officially enabling them to start working on the Blue Flag programme.
 
The full list of awarded sites will be published on 1 November on the international Blue Flag website. Users can visit the Blue Flag website and enjoy its new maps and search systems, in order to find the perfect site depending on their needs.
 
The next meeting of the International Blue Flag Jury will take place on 11 April 2018 to award beaches, marinas, and boats from the Northern Hemisphere.
 
The International Blue Flag Jury is composed of representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International Lifesaving Federation (ILS), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) and FEE, plus an Environmental Education expert.  You can find out more about them on Blue Flag’s website.
 
The Blue Flag greatly appreciates the support of its sponsor and worldwide flag producer, Semaphore, as well as the support of AccessRec who provides access for the disabled on beaches.
 
 
PR Contact: Amalia Speleta, Communications Assistant, E: amalia@fee.global

PRESS RELEASE: YRE International Competition 2017

Contact: Gosia Luszczek, International YRE Director | E: gosia@fee.global
Yukiko Tsuburaya, International YRE Assistant | E: yukiko@fee.global

Copenhagen, 2 October 2017 - The Young Reporters for the Environment International Competition is open to all students aged 11-21 from the 35 countries participating in the YRE programme. Do you feel passionate about the environment?  Do you want to express your opinion?  Then, do not hesitate, participate in the International YRE Competition by writing an article, submitting a photo, or making a video.  The winning entries will be published internationally on the Huffington Post Kids and on the YRE International websites!

The YRE International Competition is for winners of the YRE National Competition in countries running the YRE programme. Students who are participating in the YRE programme in each country have a right to participate in the competition. Students have to compete and be selected as a national winner before being sent onwards to the International Competition.

The YRE International Competition consists of three different categories. 

• International Competition – open to all countries and all themes, except for the litter theme for countries participating in the Litter Less Campaign. Countries that are not participating in the Campaign, can still submit entries related to the litter problem.
• Litter Less Campaign – theme litter, open to countries that are involved in the Litter Less Campaign: Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Israel, Wales, Spain, Northern Ireland, Malta and Ireland.

* Please note that the submissions under the theme of Litter from Litter Less Campaign countries will be evaluated separately, and the winners will receive recognition with a certificate.

• International Collaboration – open to all countries with three recommended themes from the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: 11-Sustainable Cities, 12-Responsible Consumption & Production, 13-Climate Action. The submission must be in the form of a written Article and be a collaborative work between two countries.  It is open to the age category 15-18 years.

17 Sustainable Development Goals through the YRE Competition

YRE is aiming to integrate the SDGs into the YRE International Competition in the near future. Therefore, in every country SDGs will be introduced though the National Competition.

More information: http://www.yre.global/yre-competition  

PRESS RELEASE: FEE Global Action Days 2017

Contact: Amalia Speleta, Communications Assistant
E: amalia@fee.global
 

Copenhagen, 26 September 2017 – The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is once again inviting everyone around the world to participate in promoting their work through our Global Action Days: a week-long showcasing of the amazing work carried out by FEE members which will culminate in Global Action Days which will take place during the week of 6-12 November 2017.

On 10 November 2017, FEE Head Office personnel will spend the whole day working with our social media platforms sharing and promoting all of the positive actions you have organised, promoted and participated in throughout the year. In this way we will achieve the recognition on the international stage that these actions are so worthy of. Working to raise awareness of our members and the work you do, the success of this event will depend on you sharing stories, posts and images.

So please be active and share your best!

Anyone is welcome to participate: students, parents, communities and NGOs, both inside and outside the FEE network, are all invited to join in this event.

To participate simply register online, plan your action, document it by taking pictures, making a video, or writing an article, join FEE’s Facebook Global Action Days group, share your action…and inspire the rest of the world!

Registration is mandatory and you can do so here.

Please share this link through your network.

For more information please contact Amalia Speleta on amalia@fee.global.
 

#GLOBALACTIONDAYS
#FEEGAD

Once more FEE is Outstanding

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) will receive the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) award for Outstanding in Environmental Education at the Global Level.

FEE is honoured to receive this award as Outstanding Organisation in Environmental Education and particularly pleased to be recognised by the North American Association for Environmental Education for our commitment towards environmental education and sustainability.

Former President of FEE, Jan Eriksen, and Treasurer, Ian Humphries, will receive the award on behalf of FEE at the NAAEE Conference in October in Puerto Rico.

“FEE is thrilled and honoured to be nominated and to receive the North American Association for Environmental Education award for Outstanding in Environmental Education at the Global Level. Since 1981, our organisation has consisted of devoted and enthusiastic individuals all around the world, who believe that education is an essential component in our strive to reach a sustainable and healthy society that is in sync with our environment. FEE has developed programmes that deliver environmental education and education for sustainable development to a broad audience, from very young children to adults; acknowledging that the effort to change perception and behavior has to be aimed at all ages and to all sectors. FEE has grown into one of the leading global agents for delivering practical, positive action-based programmes. It is now recognised by an important partner in this area. In the name of all FEE members and their teams in 76 countries, thank you for your trust and acknowledgement.”  Daniel Schaffer, CEO

Indian Ocean States Become FEE Members

In 2017, four new countries from the Indian Ocean States (Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Zanzibar) joined the network and became FEE members in line with the FEE strategy to increase our involvement with small island nations and developing countries.

FEE’s CEO, Daniel Schaffer, visited the Indian Ocean States earlier this year and met with various organisations which are addressing the issue of environmental education. With funds from the EU and support from the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) there has been great work and commitment by everyone involved in the programmes and there is hope that the programmes will expand in the near future. An example of great success is Mauritius. Reef Conservation, FEE’s member in Mauritius, that has already reached an amazing 25% of schools participating in the Eco-Schools programme in just over two years.

Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Zanzibar are implementing FEE’s Eco-Schools programme in their regions, however FEE is very committed to introducing all five programmes to these countries. During his visit, Daniel Schaffer presented not only the Eco-Schools, but also the Learning About Forests (LEAF) and the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes to the Ministry of Education and other organisations in Mauritius. It should be noted that some hotels in Mauritius have already registered on the Green Key programme and some are the first in the country to receive the Green Key award.

FEE realises that a common issue that numerous African and Indian Ocean members are facing is the insecurity concerning finding the necessary funds for FEE membership and for implement the programmes. Thus, FEE is working towards seeking funding for those countries while hoping that this kind of support will allow more countries to apply for FEE membership and will secure the implementation of FEE’s programmes in those regions.

To find out more, please follow our CEO’s blog on his latest visit to the Indian Ocean States here.