Environmental Education in Latvia:
expanding the boundaries
Julija GUSCA
Associate Professor, Dr.sc.ing.
Institute of Energy Systems and
Environment, Riga Technical
University (Latvia)
International conference
"Together Towards a Green Future – the
EEA Grants and Norway Grants
for Green Education"
16.09.2015, WROCŁAW
Conference funded from the EEA Grants and Norway Grants originating from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
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Environmental education levels in Latvia
Ministry of
Environmental Protection
and Regional
Development
Municipalities
Ministry of Culture
Higher
education
Elementary
education
Ministry of Education
and Science
Industries
Life-long
education
Ministry of Agriculture
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I. Elementary education
• Focus on integrated education model
• Environmental protection through various
school subjects (math, physics, biology,
literature, chemistry)
• Outdoor classes in cooperation with nature
schools and Nature Protection Agency
(public monitoring – 19 guidelines) and
Nature Education Centres
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II. Higher education
• Environmental science study programmes are
implemented in:
• Riga Technical University
• University of Latvia
• Latvian University of Agriculture
• Daugavpils University
• Liepaja University
• Rezekne High school
• Mechanics and Technology College of Olaine
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II. Higher education
University of Latvia Natural Sciences
Centre (2015)
Institute of Energy Systems and Environment
of the Riga Technical University (2014)
Faculty of Engineering
Rezekne Higher School (2014)
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Latvian Environmental Science and
Education Council
Coordinating and consultative cross sectorial institution
aimed to:
• define and effectively solve the problems related to
environmental science and education and education for
sustainable development;
• promote institutional cooperation in the field of sustainable
environmental policy development and implementation and
improvements of managerial instruments.
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Latvian Environmental Science and Education
Council: requirements on obligatory study course
•
•
•
In schools: A study course or a module in the study course
related to the environmental education and education for
sustainable development
In colleges and universities: A course on environmental
protection in the obligatory part of the programme
In study programmas in pedagogy: A course on
sustainable development
Law on Environmental Protection
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Latvian Environmental Science and Education
Council: Environmental Science Award (since 2007)
•
•
•
•
Environmental Scientist
Young Environmental Scientist
Environmental Teacher
Environmental Group
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Latvian Environmental Science and Education
Council: annual international conference
«Environmental Education and Science»
GOAL: the promotion of long-term development of
environmental science and education and broader
promotion of education for sustainable development.
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Life-long Education (I)
•
•
•
•
Municipal nature schools
Industry related NGOs
Youth Environmental NGOs
Activities of nature related societies
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Life-long Education (II): Youth NGOs
•
Latvian Environmental Science Students Society
• Incorporates students from 7 universities and
highschools; over 200 members
• Outdoor activities at festivals and summer
schools
• Effective link between schools and universities
• Platform for dialogues
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Life-long Education (III): open courses
•
Open course on Environmental Engineering (3 ECTS)
• Implemented yearly as a free open course by the
Institute of Energy Systems and Environment of the
Riga Technical University
• Topics included: environmental protection, energy
efficiency, pollution prevention, waste
management, environmental policy, etc.
• Close to 1000 graduates (since 2008)
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Expanding the boundaries
• Environmental protection as key for sustainable
development frequently challenges approaches to
economic development (tourism, industry)
• Public support makes it easier for municipal leaders
to argue sustainable approach to development
• Change in behaviour takes time, but only change in
behaviour produce results in the environment
S.N.Kalnins /Nature concerthall/
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Expanding the boundaries: municipal symbiosis (I)
• Annual voluntary participation in
cleaning up the environment, creating
unity, positivity and a sense of job well
done.
Aim of the project - until 2018, the year when Latvia will
celebrate its 100th birthday, make our country the cleanest
and tidiest place on the map of the world - give nature an
opportunity to heal by cleaning it from the waste, as well as
encourage citizens to upgrade and take care of the
environment around them
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Expanding the boundaries: background idea (II)
• EEA grant project «Integration of systems thinking
instruments in environmental policy» (2011)
• Study course on Systems Dynamics within the Riga
Technical University Programme «Environmental Science»
• International cooperation developed with Bergen
University
• Study books on systems dynamics (Latvian version and
English)
• At least 7 scientific projects attracted on system dynamics
afterwards
• At least 4 policy development programmes developed
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The butterfly effect
Chaos theory
Sensitive
dependence
Small change in
nonlinear system
Result to large differences in later state
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Background idea (II)
Future biodiesel policy designs and consumption patterns in Latvia: A system
dynamics model. Aiga Barisa, Francesco Romagnoli, Andra Blumberga, Dagnija
Blumberga. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 88, 1 February 2015, pp.71–82
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Background idea (III)
• High value added products: local, waste free, unique,
demanded, sustainable
• Circular economy based
• Social responsible production
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New project: bioeconomy
• Establishment of an innovative training system about
social and economical aspects of the climate change,
based on the analysis of the biological economics
development analysis.
• A module of engineering syllabus for the improvement of
specialists’ comprehension about the climate change
forecasting analysis models, their application possibilities
and state development in the biological economics
characterization aspect.
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Project target group
• Audiences professional in climate field, local government
representatives, educators, vocational secondary education
students and students in higher education institutions.
• Existing and future workforce: state and local government
workers, research and educational institutions
representatives, businessmen and representatives of nongovernmental organizations, educators of educators, etc.
Project impact:
The community from whose knowledge, understanding and
consequent action the development of bioeconomy and with it the
amount of GHG emissions and their impact on climate change is
directly dependent on.
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Project results
• A new vocational education programme module on climate
change and adaptation developed and tested.
• A study book on bioeconomy developed and published
• A laboratory book on bioeconomy developed and published
• Study courses at 3 levels organised and attended by
different student groups
• Syllabus developed and tested: lectures, presentations,
practical and laboratory works
Project impact:
improved state, local government and public awareness of
climate change and adaptation issues
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Project Implementation
•
Development of a study course
 At least 7 professors, 8 PhD students involved
 Cross sectorial approach
• Course approbation
 Bachelor and master levels
• Course adjustment and final approbation
 Pre-bachelor, bachelor, master and
professional levels
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Expanding the boundaries: scientific symbiosis (III)
• Riga Technical University, Institute of New
Riga Theatre, Ministry of Culture
• Plays on innovations in
science, environmental
protection
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Expanding the boundaries: sci-cultural symbiosis (IV)
Science
Music
Art
Poetry
Culture
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Julija GUSCA
Associate Professor, Dr.sc.ing.
Institute of Energy Systems and Environment
Riga Technical University (Latvia)
julija.gusca@rtu.lv
www.videszinatne.lv
Conference funded from the EEA Grants and Norway Grants originating from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
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