CB BureauEarlier this month, three Pune-based youths and one from Ahmednagar were selected as ‘green champions’ for Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2010, for their contribution to the environment through documentaries,waste-management projects,and leadership in environment-related activities in their respective colleges.
Then, there was quite a buzz around celebrating World Environment Day on September 16, to spread awareness about environment protection and conservation. Across India, the day saw quizzes, painting competitions, workshops and seminars around various environmental themes. Later in the month, several innovative initiatives were awarded with Earth Care Awards for their contribution towards the environment.
During the same time, after much persuasion, the government designated turtle-nesting sites on four beaches of Goa.
Behind all of the above-mentioned activities, directly or indirectly, there was just one organisation – Centre for Environment Education (CEE). Centre for Environment Education was created in recognition of the importance of environmental education in India’s overall environment and development strategy. The centre was established as a ‘centre of excellence’ in 1984, with the support of the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).
The backing
CEE inherited the rich multidisciplinary resource base of Nehru Foundation for Development, which is its parent organisation, and has been promoting educational efforts since 1966 in the areas of science, nature study, health, development and environment.
At the time it began its activities, CEE was perhaps the only organisation actively engaged in environmental education in the country. With its base in Ahmedabad, the organisation carried out programmes in different parts of the country. In 1988″89 it opened its first regional office for the southern region, and since then it has been consciously increasing its area of work geographically.
After completing a decade of activities in 1994, it decided to move from just environmental education to environmental action. CEE began more pilot, field-level and demonstration projects towards sustainable development which could be scaled up and replicated. Within the next 10 years, these projects formed a major chunk of the centre’s activities.
The present
Today, CEE works for a wide range of sectors, target groups and geographical areas. CEE sees a major opportunity in the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005″14) to further contribute towards sustainable development.
The centre’s primary objective is to improve public awareness and understanding of the environment with a view to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of nature and natural resources, leading to a better environment and a better quality of life.
To this end, CEE develops innovative programmes and educational material, and builds capacity in the field of education for sustainable development (ESD). To test the validity and effectiveness of its programmes and material, CEE undertakes demonstration projects in education, communication and development, which endorse attitudes, strategies and technologies that are environmentally sustainable.
The team
The centre has a governing council (GC) comprising, amongst others, eminent persons in the field of environment, education, communication and management (CEE’s Governing Council).
The GC guides programmes, approves budgets, and designs policy. The council is assisted by the standing committee on matters relating to administrative procedures and norms. It also receives advisory support from the finance committee.
A network of 40 offices across the country, including regional cells in the central, east, north, northeast, southern and western zones, as well as several state, field and project offices, and campsites carry out CEE’s programmes and projects.
Their staffs of over 380 people represent a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, and works in multidisciplinary teams to achieve the task of developing environmental awareness about a range of issues and for varied target groups.