The Foundation for Environmental Education By: Jonathan Hanrahan

Goals FEE aims to bring environmental education to people all over the world, through its member network, consisting of non-profit and non-governmental organizations. FEE seeks to provide people with knowledge and skills through its voluntary programmes, to enable people to be productive in their endeavours to protect the environment.

History FEE, originally called the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE), was founded in It`s early years were marked by group meetings, public seminars, conferences and the production of a number of publications. It wasn`t until 1985 that FEEE would launch it`s first programme, the Blue Flag programme. FEEE`s Blue Flag Programme originally started in 1985 in France, as an award for coastal municipalities that complied with sewage treatment and bathing water quality criteria. In 1987, FEEE presented the concept to the European Commission and the Blue Flag Programme was initiated in Europe saw the implementation of two new programmes, Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment. FEE`s other two programmes The Learning about Forests and Green Key programmes, though already in existence, would not become FEE(E) programmes until 2000 and 2003 respectively. Growing interest in FEEE outside of Europe led FEEE, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to produce a manual for coastal zone management with Blue Flag as an example. In 2000, FEEE officially became a global organization and had it`s name changed to FEE would witness a number of non-European organizations becoming members. In 2003, FEE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNEP to further co-operation relating to education, training and public awareness for sustainable development globally. This MoU provides a basis for the introduction of FEE programmes and associated activities in developing countries and those with economies in transition. In 2007, another MoU was signed with the UN World Tourism Organization, in which FEE`s tourism related programmes were recognized.

Programmes FEE is mainly active through its five environmental education programmes: Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, Learning about Forests (LEAF) and Green Key.

Blue Flag The Blue Flag Programme utilizes a strict criteria in categories such as Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services, to promote sustainable development. The Blue Flag is an eco-label given to beaches and marinas, currently in 46 countries, that seek to comply with the programmes criteria. Despite increasingly more rigorous criteria, Blue Flag beaches continue to increase. A few issues covered in the criteria include: cleanliness, provisions for waste and recycling, zoning activities, and environmental education activities for a variety of people.

Eco-Schools The Eco-Schools is an education programme for schools that aims to promote environmental management, certification and sustainable development. The programme has seven steps for schools to implement: Establishment of an Eco-Schools Committee; an Environmental Review; an Action Plan; Monitoring and Evaluation; Curriculum Work; Informing and Involving; and the Eco-Code. Schools that successfully meet expectations are awarded with the Eco- School`s Green Flag.

Young Reporters for the Environment Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is an international network of youths, aged 11-21, operative in over 25 countries, involved in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Participants of YRE develop skills and knowledge as they investigate, report and propose solutions for environmental issues. The YRE has three objectives: Investigate a local environment or issue; propose solutions to that problem or issue; and report on the issue and its possible solutions through a journalistic production, aimed at a local audience.

LEAF Learning about Forests (LEAF) is an environmental education programme seeking to increase knowledge about forests and their various roles through participatory activities for local teachers and students. The programme operates on three fundamental ideas: educational activities are to be adapted for the local needs of teachers and students; the programme reflects all the roles that forests fulfill for the local people; and forests, forestry. forest products and recycling are seen presented as interconnected.

Green Key The Green Key Programme, currently with participants in 28 countries, focuses on current tourism practices which are deemed environmentally unfriendly and aims to help implement changes that will assist in climate change prevention and reduction. The Green Key Programme has five criteria: Education of Staff, Clients and Owners, Environmental Preservation, Economical Management, Marketing Strategy and Awarding of Green Key. Tourism facilities that comply with both national and international Green Key criteria are awarded the Green Key eco- label.

How You Can Get Involved Though FEE`s primary participants are organizations, institutions or companies, individuals can participate by encouraging schools to get involved in FEE programmes, such as Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment or LEAF, and through donating to the Global Forest Fund. The Global Forest Fund, part of FEE`s promotion of a sustainable environment, invests 90% of its income directly into planting trees and other CO2 compensation efforts that are combined with environmental education activities.

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