Environmental Education in Scouting Forum
Scouts of China

Environmental Education in Scouting Forum

Taiwan & Hong Kong scout groups had an educational tour into nature together - It is 35 degree Celsius outside, another record-high temperature in history. It is not even summer yet. More and more extreme weathers are observed, and high temperature is just one of them. Mother Nature uses her own way to warn us. Environmental protection is an every-world citizen's responsibility; environmental education plants the seeds to grow awareness and promote actions. On May 28th, 2016, a group of environmental education practitioners and special guests, Terrence and Joseph, from the Scout Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island Region came together to participate in the 2016 Forum of Environmental Education in Scouting organized by the Sun-Fun Scouts Group. The aim is to implant the environmental education concept and idea into Scouts and Leaders through the Scout Movement. In recent years, the World Scout Organization has been promoting the environmental education program to raise the awareness and concern for our environment. The Sun-Fun Scouts Group has also been devoting to such meaningful initiative in the past several years. The Forum kicked off with Eilif Wang, Director of the World Scout Environmental Programme (WSEP) and General Association of the Scouts of China. Eilif shared inspiring videos that created the sense of urgencies to protect our environment followed by the overview of various initiatives carried out by the WSEP. Tim Chiu came next on stage to share his personal journey to protect the environment by implementing "green roofs" and recycled fertilizer in school campuses. As an earth science teacher, Tim teaches knowledge by organizing students to plant greens on the roof, to keep the classrooms cool and to preserve energy. The students' daily routine is to collect leftovers and make recycled fertilizer, which feeds the green roof and reduces the waste. Tim's creative way of teaching has won a big group of student fans. After lunch and a short break, Dr. Chen from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) showed the audience another way of protecting the environment. His invention, Qwater (Quick, Quality and Quantity) not only plays a role of a regular water purifier but also transforms into a life saver. Dr. Chen has leveraged Qwater’s unique strength to support various oversea disasters’ recovery work. Purified water is also essential in disaster areas which it protects victims from food poisoning and diseases. This tells a great story of using water resources to create a better world. Stefan Huang from the 205th Scout Troop in Taipei shared his view on the connection to nature. He has encouraged all scouts to learn and understand nature while performing outdoor activities. Only when you understand the surroundings; then, you can be aware of nature and protect them. Typhoon Chen from the Permaculture presented the core value of Permaculture and the connection to environmental education. Dr. Hsiao-Fen Cheng concluded the first day agenda by sharing the great effort conducted by the Sun-Fun Scouts Group in environmental education. The Sun-Fun Scouts Group has been devoting in environmental education for years. Every year, the Sun-Fun Scouts Group holds events like the Earth Hour, the Water Resource Day, Tree Planting Day, Environmental Education Field Trips, etc. The group even created a dedicated Environment Team to promote environmental education. Environment Protection is the present and Environmental Education is the future. Stay tuned for more great environmental education stories from the Sun-Fun Scouts Group.
Topics
Youth Programme
Partnerships
Personal safety
Global Support Assessment Tool
Legacy BWF

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