Interdisciplinary Seminar:
Education for Sustainable development
Convener: Eliane Didier, France

Environmental Education for School Children in Egypt
Aliaa El-Erian, Egyptian Association of University Women

Sustainable Development is based on Environmental Sustainability, i.e. development which satisfies present needs without jeopardizing those of future generations. Egypt suffers from severe environmental imbalance, affected by pollution of the air, water, soil & food pollution, and > noise & vision. Lack of environmental awareness is apparent amongst the educated and non-educated. Therefore, it is ESSENTIAL to introduce to children in schools the basic environmental concepts which allow them to deal with environmental issues constructively and preserve their environment for the sake of their future. This paper describes a 12 month (2005–2006) project initiated by the Egyptian Association of University Women Cairo Branch, in coordination with government and university departments. The Project was divided into:

• Theoretical Section: Lectures to school teachers & supervisors by professionals on the Environment, held at EAUW H.Q., Cairo Branch;
• Practical Section: Field trips for school children (attended by teachers & supervisors) to Environmental Affairs Agency
• Preservations in Cairo. Children were also trained in their schools by teachers & supervisors to monitor pollution rates using special instruments and equipment. Targeted Groups were 6 selected Primary & Preparatory Schools (private & public schools) in Cairo; School Teachers & Supervisors at these Schools; Gezira Youth Club members in Cairo. Project Outputs were
• 20 school teachers professionally trained;
• 100 school children also professionally trained;
• School teachers and children became themselves trainers for other children in their communities about the Environment;

8 members of EAUW Cairo Branch were supervisors of the project’sprogram.

Aliaa El-Erian is a graduate of Cairo University, and holds an MSc from the University of Edinburgh in Economic Development. Her active participation in public life includes membership of the Egyptian Association of Consumer Protection & Environment and of Rotary. In the EAUW she has been CIR and worked on their three-year project of training graduates in care of the elderly. She was a member of the IFUW Special Projects Committee, 2001-2004.