ALFA Partners reach out to schools
At a first glance, education does not seem to be part of the core business of the ALFA partners. However, most ALFA partners are involved in educational activities of some sort. Last November at a workshop in Hasselt (Belgium), partners met to present and discuss their work for school children.
The approaches used by the various partners are very different. Cartoon animals such as a flying fish (named Floepje) or a black sheep (named Sieb), are used to introduce primary school children to water management issues. Although in some cases a whole package of material has been developed, interactive internet applications seem to be one of the most popular instruments to reach younger children. When looking at material for secondary education, partners strongly recommended developing this on the basis of professional advice from teachers; it should be linked into the official curriculum and, if possible, include outdoor activities. This however, does require a serious effort in terms of budget and capacity.
But why are partners anxious to reach out to schools and children? It is hoped that by increasing the understanding about the issues of water management, organisations will generate greater acceptance of water management projects. This could work out well in the short term because parents can be targeted via their children.
It could also work in the long term, because children are the future stakeholders for infrastructural projects. Nowadays, such projects require many years of public discussion and involvement before they are finally carried out. Ten to fifteen years for an infrastructural project is no exception and this makes it both interesting and important to educate the younger generation on the use and needs of water management measures.
Picture 1: Maureen Nuyts from VMM presents the education material, source: Flemish Environment Agency (VMM)
Picture 2: Education Workshop in Hasselt, source: Flemish Environment Agency (VMM)
At a first glance, education does not seem to be part of the core business of the ALFA partners. However, most ALFA partners are involved in educational activities of some sort. Last November at a workshop in Hasselt (Belgium), partners met to present and discuss their work for school children.
The approaches used by the various partners are very different. Cartoon animals such as a flying fish (named Floepje) or a black sheep (named Sieb), are used to introduce primary school children to water management issues. Although in some cases a whole package of material has been developed, interactive internet applications seem to be one of the most popular instruments to reach younger children. When looking at material for secondary education, partners strongly recommended developing this on the basis of professional advice from teachers; it should be linked into the official curriculum and, if possible, include outdoor activities. This however, does require a serious effort in terms of budget and capacity.But why are partners anxious to reach out to schools and children? It is hoped that by increasing the understanding about the issues of water management, organisations will generate greater acceptance of water management projects. This could work out well in the short term because parents can be targeted via their children.
It could also work in the long term, because children are the future stakeholders for infrastructural projects. Nowadays, such projects require many years of public discussion and involvement before they are finally carried out. Ten to fifteen years for an infrastructural project is no exception and this makes it both interesting and important to educate the younger generation on the use and needs of water management measures.Picture 1: Maureen Nuyts from VMM presents the education material, source: Flemish Environment Agency (VMM)
Picture 2: Education Workshop in Hasselt, source: Flemish Environment Agency (VMM)
