The International Thematic Networks of

Environmental Education in Greece

The case of LEAF Program

Dr Dimitrios Gkotzos

Environmental Education Officer, Athens B Directorate of Primary Education. Ministry of Education, Research and

Religious Affairs

President of the Hellenic LEAF Coordinating Committee

The Thematic Networks of Environmental Education (supervised by the Ministry of Education, Research & Religious Affairs)

Collaboration among schools in variousareas, that implement EnvironmentalEducation (E.E.) projects of similar content

Support of E.E. projects (pedagogical andacademic)

Development of educational resources

Organization of teacher training seminarsand school visits

Thematic Networks of

E.E.

Local or Regional

National International

The International Thematic Networks of

Environmental Education

International collaboration

Promotion of ministerial policy at

international level

Directorates of Primary & Secondary Education,

Environmental Education Centers, Local Government

institutions, Non-profit, Non-governmental

Environmental Organizations

National Coordinating Committees

-President: Officer from a regional department of

the Ministry of Education

-Representative from the Ministry (Department of

Environmental Education) and other

stakeholders

The International Thematic Networks of Environmental Education

coordinated by HSPN

International Coordinator: FEE (Foundation for Environmental

Education)

National Operator: HSPN (Hellenic Society for the

Protection of Nature)

(the oldest environmental NGO in Greece)

National Coordinators: Directorates of Primary or Secondary Education

Coordinating Committees: HSPN representatives & stakeholders of the Ministry of Education, Research and

Religious Affairs (Environmental Education Officers, School Advisors,

School Principals, Directors of Environmental Education Centers)

Primary and Secondary Schools (state and

private) throughout the whole country

Any action of the Networks receives approval from the Ministry (meetings of the

Committee, teacher training seminars etc.)

Submission of a detailed report every year.

http://eepf.gr/en

Learning about Forests –

Teacher training

Educational activities in

forests

Educational activities in forests

Environmental awareness, practice

and attitudes on issues related to

the forest

Training seminars in forests

Summer schools

Learning about Forests –

Tree and seed planting activities

Τree & seed

planting

Enhancement of forest resources

Enhancement of biodiversity

Demonstration of active

citizenship

Environmental protection and management

The LEAF award

Special award ceremonies every 2

years

Schools that have successfully

implemented the program

Fieldwork bag, which includes instruments and tools useful for

fieldwork activities in the forest

Learning about Forests –

Educational resources

Theoretical and practical information (e.g suggestions of activities)

on Forest Education

Learning about Forests –

Treasure hunt gamePoster

Tool of learning and

action

Searching and finding

Adventurous story, legend,

fantastic journey

Forest ecosystem, interaction

between natural and human

relationships

Adjustable (player’s number, age-experience,

location, climatological

conditions)

Hellenic LEAF Coordinating Committee

President: Dr Dimitrios Gkotzos, Environmental Education Officer, Athens B Directorate of Primary

Education.

Vice President: Sofia Kainourgiou, Member of the HSPN Board

Secretary: Panagiotis Mpegetis, Principal of the 4th Athens School Laboratory Center

Τreasurer: Marianna Hatzimichail, Principal of the 13th Primary School of Halandri

Members: Marina Papageorgiou, Department of Environmental Education, Ministry of Education,

Research and Religious Affairs.

Stamatis Skampardonis, Primary School Teacher, 8th Primary School of Glyfada. Vice

President of the HSPN Board

Dr Sofia Pedrikari, School Advisor, 51st Prefecture of Preschool Education

Varvara Petridou, Environmental Education Officer, Athens B Directorate of Secondary

Education.

Alexandra Koskolou, Κindergarten Teacher, 1st Kindergarten of Melissia

Forest Action for Climate Change Mitigation

BULGARIAN BLUE FLAG

MOVEMENTCYPRUS MARINE

ENVIRONMENT

PROTECTION

ASSOCIATION

CARPATHIAN-DANUBIAN

CENTRE OF GEOECOLOGY

Forest Action for Climate Change Mitigation

-Τhe thematic areas

Forest and Biodiversity

Bulgaria

Forest Fires

Cyprus

Forest and CO2

Greece

Forest and Energy

Romania

Forest and climate change

Climate change is one of the greatest threats humankind has known.

Forests can be part of the solution.

Forest Action for Climate Change Mitigation

The program

Educational activities

• Designed andpiloted by ateam of 24teachers

• Late primaryand earlysecondraryeducation (ages10-15)

Ecocode

• Poster, text (catchy and creative slogans), song, poem

• Environmentalattitude andecologicalbehaviour

Action Day

• Promotion and information actions

• School and local community

Day 1

The theoretical framework and

presentations from the participating

countries

Day 2

Visit to the EEC of Elefsina

Fieldwork in the city of Elefsina and in a mountain forest

Day 3

Working group for educational material

Interviews

Forest Action for Climate Change Mitigation

International seminar, Athens 24-26/11

Concluding remarks -

Implications - Recommendations

Educating for forests’

contribution to climate change adaptation and

mitigation

Our response to SDG’s 4, 13 & 15

After piloting, large-scale

implementation in the

participating countries

Presentation at the next NOM as an example

of regional collaboration within LEAF

Educational material in English -

available to all LEAF countries