1. The Role of ASEAN Cooperation in Educating the Vital Environment for Living
17th February 2008
On the occasion of the 24th ASEAN Council of Teachers Convention
At Charoen Hotel, Udon Thani, Thailand By
Ms.Rachanee Emaruchi
Deputy Director General
Department of Environmental Quality Promotion

2. Contents: Introduction ASEAN and Environmental Protection
Need to urge for preserving and educating on environment
Ways to educate and campaign in environmental cooperation
Done and ongoing activities in ASEAN Countries

3. Introduction : Man and Environment
United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 at Stockholm
action plans regarding natural resources conservation, education, human settlement and pollution were designed as tools to combat environmental crises

4. ASEAN region
one of the richest and most varied natural environment in the world
geo-physical and climatic conditions provide critical life support for ASEAN people in form of economic and livelihood

5. one of the highest population densities in the world / high urban population density in mega cities
large population put pressure to improve standard of living and provide better care for environment

6. ASEAN and Environmental Protection
ASEAN Environmental situation
land resources and terrestrial ecosystem are under increasing stress
pollution accelerate from industrialization and urbanization
trans-boundary environmental issues

7. ASEAN and Environmental Protection
Singapore Declaration at the ASEAN Summit Meeting of 1992 :
ASEAN pledge “ to play an active part in protecting the environment by continuing to cooperate by promoting the principle of sustainable development and integrating it into all aspects of development.”

8. Commitment of ASEAN on Sustainable development
The ASEAN Vision 2020 calls for "a clean and green ASEAN with fully established mechanisms for sustainable development to ensure the protection of the region's environment, the sustainability of its natural resources and the high quality of life of its peoples".

9. ASEAN Member Countries actively engage in addressing global environmental issues in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities

10. Need to urge for preserving and
educating on environment
Goal of Environmental Education : The Belgrade Charter
The Charter states that :
“ The goal of environmental education is to develop a world population that is aware of, and concerned about, the environment and its associated problems, and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivation, and commitment to work individually and collectively toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones. ” 

11. Need to urge for preserving and educating on environment
Agenda 21: a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally
Chapter 36
Education
Public awareness
and Training

12. Need to urge for preserving and educating on environment
Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD )
UN–DESD :
aim to integrate principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all aspect of education and learning
create more sustainable future

13. Ways to educate and campaign for cooperation in environmental concern
Done and ongoing activities in ASEAN Countries
ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan (AEEAP) : an operational framework for promotion of EE in AMCs
- 1st plan :
- 2ndplan :

14. Ways to educate and campaign for cooperation in environmental concern
Thailand, the Environmental Education for Sustainable Development Master Plan (EESD) was initiated in 2007 by the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion(DEQP)
The Plan belongs to no specific agency but of all sectors in Thai society
Based on existing knowledge/local wisdom/social capital
Aims to achieve balance between school-based and society-based EESD
Recognize diverse dimension system to desire EESD with different emphases and approaches

15. Sustainable (green/eco) school concept and practice are widely promoted in many AMCs

16. Ways to educate and campaign for cooperation in environmental concern
ASEAN Environment Year (AEY) : a flagship project every 3 years
- 2000: Our Heritage, Our Future
- 2003: Together Towards Sustainable
Development
- 2006: Biodiversity: Our Life, Our Future
- 2009: Ecotourism: Our Nature, Our Culture

17. Ways to educate and campaign for cooperation in environmental concern
Publications related to environment
State of the Environment Reports

18. Recommendation
Areas of international / regional cooperation to promote EE/ESD in the ASEAN region based on the survey results from the Education for Sustainable Development Research Center (ESDRC), Rikkyo University
First is to cope with ‘weak assessment/monitoring’ by supporting of research/facilitation in this regard.
Second is to facilitate further efforts on ‘sustainable schools’ via information sharing and awarding at the regional level.
Third is to support countries that especially lack resources for EE/ESD practices.
Fourth is the use of ICT in a more effective manner, including the revitalisation of ASEAN EE Inventory Database.