ADVANCES OF THE UNESCO/WET WATER AND EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

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1 ADVANCES OF THE UNESCO/WET WATER AND EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Soledad Benitez Ferrari UNESCO International Hydrological Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean

2 Background Only intergovernmental programme of the UN system devoted to water resources research, management, education and capacity building. At the service of Member States to increase their knowledge about the water cycle and their capacity to improve their administration and management of water resources. Education and capacity-building are one of the strategic objectives of the Programme as it aims to generate changes in society regarding social equity and environmental protection. Non-profit organization with almost 30 years of experience devoted to the mission of reaching children, parents, teachers and community members of the world with water education by: publishing water resources materials providing training workshops on diverse water topics organizing community water events Signature of a MoU at the IV World Water Forum (Mexico City, March 2006)

3 Regional Programme Objective Formulate and implement a joint programme on water education in Latin America and the Caribbean aimed at educators, by adding the capacities of both Organizations in order to reach children, parents, and community members. Mission Assist the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in the development, implementation and asessment of a water education programme, addressed to formal and non-formal educators. Vision Children and youth empowered through a sound education for action to contribute to an integrated and sustainable management of water in society.

4 Pedagogical didactic framework: Teaching and learning from a global and integrated vision Interdisciplinary The methodology focuses on the integration of water resources in many disciplines: social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, art, language, etc. Water becomes a unifying theme, applicable to many aspects of life and the educational processes. In this way, the methodology becomes flexible and ready for use in specific subjects or in an integrated approach to education. Crosscutting Interdisciplinary Adaptable Hands on Programme on Environmental Education

5 Pedagogical didactic framework: Teaching and learning from a global and integrated vision Crosscutting Education is not related to a specific subject but is crosscutting to many themes of the curricula. Interdisciplinary This methodology focuses on the development of water-related concepts and educational procedures as well as positive cultural values, attitudes and norms. Educative activities encourage students and teachers to evaluate theirownwaterdemandsaswellasotherwater uses. Crosscutting Adaptable Hands on By developing knowledge among children tomorrow s water leaders we contribute to promoting water stewardship. Programme on Environmental Education

6 Pedagogical didactic framework: Teaching and learning from a global and integrated vision Hands on Interdisciplinary Activities focus on the teacher`s ability to create learning situations and develop lessons that meet the specific needs of his or her classroom. The activities are designed to use whole body exercises combined with formal teaching strategies. In addition, they focus on participation in activities to increase skills necessary for living together and cooperatively managing water resources. Crosscutting Adaptable Hands on Programme on Environmental Education

7 Pedagogical didactic framework: Teaching and learning from a global and integrated vision Adaptable Each classroom, community, and group of learners is unique. Similarly, water education needs for any given region will differ. For this reason, the education activities were selected for their adaptability. Crosscutting Interdisciplinary Hands on Adaptable Programme on Environmental Education

8 Development of a joint UNESCO IHP/Project WET Water and Education Programme Function Tool for educators at all education levels from kindergarten until high-school (3 to18 years) with the aim to raise awareness by increasing knowledge about and promoting a sustainable management of water resources. First results General Guide for Teachers of the Americas and the Caribbean (Spanish version ; English version 2008). Includes a set of general educational activities on water adapted from different successful programmes.

9 Development of a joint UNESCO IHP/Project WET Water and Educatin Programme The proposals were selected and adapted from various programmes by a group of specialists from the IHP National Committees and the Project WET International Foundation.

10 Development of a joint UNESCO IHP/Project WET Water and Education Programme Contains 32 educative proposals on water divided into three main thematic axes: Re-connecting with water Water, life and health Water management

11 Development of a joint UNESCO IHP/Project WET Water and Education Programme México Argentina Costa Rica Chile R. Doninicana Estados Unidos Israel Jamaica Bahamas Santa Lucia Trinidad & Tobago Jiutepec, México, August 2006 Kingston, Jamaica, June 2007

12 How to become part of our Programme? In order to join the Programme, interested Host Institutions should: Contact the Regional Coordinator in order to submit an expression of interest to constitute itself as a Host Institution of the UNESCO/WET Water and Education Programme Submit a formal request to start the Water and Education Programme together with a formal plan of action. Sign a Letter of Agreement with the Water and Education Programme (UNESO and WET authorities). Execute the Programme through the organization of capacity-building workshops for teachers.

13 Advances of the Programme in the region After 6 years the Regional Programme has started. The General Guide for Teachers is available in Spanish, English and Portuguese and ready to be published in French (4 main languages of the region). Mexico, Chile and Argentina developed additional materials adapted to their geography and context.

14 Advances of the Programme in the region Mexico: Publications of the Series Discover a Watershed - Guides for Teachers Río Grande, Río Bravo: 2001 Pátzcuaro: Lago de IMTA, 2005 Río Colorado: 2005 Río Santiago: 2011

15 Advances of the Programme in the region (in figures) WORKSHOPS TOTAL Mexico Central America Chile Argentina Uruguay Jamaica Paraguay Dominican Rep PARTICIPANTS TOTAL Mexico Central America Chile Argentina Uruguay Jamaica Paraguay Dominican Rep Since 2007, a total of 97 workshops for teachers and non-formal educators have been carried out in different countries of LAC and our aim is to continue expanding the Programme in the region!!

16 Programme implementation 46 workshops organized for 988 educators: Morelos, Mexico State, Querétaro, Lower California South, Guanajuato, Zacatecas y Michoacán

17 Programme implementation Andras Szöllösi-Nagy (IHP), Heidi Storsberg (CONAGUA) and Dennis Nelson (WET) Signature of a Letter of Agreement with CONAGUA as Host Institution (August, 2008), at present Mexico National Coordinator Institution.

18 Programme implementation Signature of a Letter of Agreement with OAPAS of Naucalpan Council, Mexico State as Host Institution.

19 Programme implementation Incorporation of the Fund for the Communication and Environmental Education as Host Institution (2008).

20 Water and Education Programme implementation 3 workshops for 53 participants organized by the Water Resources Authority (2010). Specific material on water resources in Jamaica developed.

21 Water and Education Programme implementation Incorporation of the Regional Committee of Hydraulic Resources from the Central America Integration System as a Host Institution of the Programme for Central America (August 2008). 7 workshops for 319 participants: Scouts, Guides and the Central America Youth Red Cross from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador.

22 Programme implementation Incorporation of Friends of La Patagonia Association as a Host Institution of the Water and Education Programme in Argentina (Istambul, Turkey, V World Water Forum, 2009). 19 workshops organized for 642 educators (2010) in Buenos Aires and Mendoza Provinces.

23 Programme implementation 11 workshops for 305 educators organized by the General Directorate of Waters (Chilean National Authority on Waters) by 2010 and specific educative material developed for Easter Island.

24 Programme implementation 5 workshops for 81 teachers organized by 2010 leadered by the National Administration of Public Education.

25 Programme implementation Formal incorporation of ITAIPU Binational as a Host Institution of the Programme for Paraguay and Brazil (2011). Workshop for 28 educators organized in July 2009.

26 Programme implementation Launching of the Programme in Brazil through a workshop to provide capacity-building to facilitators of the Associação FloripAmanhã (Florianopolis, 3-5 August, 2011).

27 Programme implementation First workshop organized in 2010 for 32 educators from all over the country.

28 Programme implementation Establishment of a Regional Group of Facilitators in order to strengthen the regional capacities of the Programme and broaden its dissemination, with the support of CONAGUA (2010)

29 Dissemination activities Regional Conference on Water and Education for LAC (Asunción, Paraguay, December 2008), preparatory of the V World Water Forum

30 Water and Education Dissemination activities

31 Dissemination of the Programme Additional information:

32 Conclusions and recommendations The Programme has been very well accepted among educators who have participated in the workshops Fast expansion of the Programme International cooperation and development of capacities can add sinergies to achieve objectives The Programme has encouraged host institutions to develop specific watershed programmes and educational materials in collaboration with local teachers, students, parents, specialists and water managers. There is still a lot of work to do!!!!

33 Soledad Benitez International Hydrological Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office for Science for Latin America and the Caribbean UNESCO Montevideo Montevideo, Uruguay (+598)