reflection, collaboration, imagination: children’s learning of sustainability through creative activities paramita atmodiwirjo & yandi andri yatmo department of architecture, universitas indonesia

Our background  Teaching architecture at Universitas Indonesia  Architectural education background in Indonesia & UK  Develop environmental education programme for school children  Develop community architecture projects  Design for children, schools, special needs  Develop environmental education website (‘my environment’)

Overview of programme  Creativity-based environmental education programme since 2006  For pre-school, primary and secondary school children  With over 20 schools and neighbourhood communities  Holcim Award – Asia Pacific 2008  Involving architecture students as facilitators  Various environmental themes

Why learning sustainability?  Children as “architects of the future”  Towards better life in better environment, not only for now but also for the future  UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development ( ):  “to integrate the values inherent in sustainable development into all aspects of learning…”

What to learn? human natural environment built environment social-culture science technology economy balance

Some problems in ESD  Aspects of environments studied partially or separately  Emphasis on theories, lack of application in real surroundings  Environment is considered as ‘additional’ subject, separated from other subjects

‘my environment’ single; isolated my environment economy others social culture nature interconnectedness interdependence

Creativity-based approach Planning and design exercise as an approach for learning sustainability

Reflection of facts Analysis; Develop knowledge Creative action based on knowledge Reflection of process Action to respond to factual issues Learning approach

‘Dream Island’ Project Main challenge:  To create self-sufficient environment  To fulfill present and future needs  To balance needs and resources

REFLECTION COLLABORATION IMAGINATION

 Reflection on basic human needs  Awareness of local resources  Exploring connectedness Reflection

me food rice veg meat paddy field fish sea garden milk house electricity water drink water well river fruit

Collaboration  Working together in dealing with environmental problems & issues  Dialog  Negotiation

Imagination  Creative ideas  Freedom to build  Explore possibilities

Balanced development  Needs and resources  Natural and built

Interdependence What happens in one place may affect other people in other places Bogor Depok Jakarta

Programme evaluation Children’s reflection on the programme  What they have created  What they have learned  What they think about the process

Possible future development  Integration with school subjects  Real action in real environment  Networking with children around the world – sharing “our environment” Programme for children School curriculum Real environment Children in other places

thank you