People and their environment : environmental education and communication in five African countries

This study presents results of rapid assessments of EE&C efforts in The Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar, Namibia, and Uganda. Section 1 introduces an organizing framework that challenges many misperceptions about EE&C. It suggests that planning of EE&C should include both breadth (i.e., looking at nonformal and informal settings as well as formal programs in schools) and depth (a 5-step planning process is detailed). Section 2 briefly discusses environmental and social conditions common to all five countries and EE&C policy as reflected in their National Environmental Action Plans. Section 3 synthesizes activities in school-based settings, concluding that most formal activities suffer from limited pretesting, training, monitoring, and evaluation. Availability of materials is also a major issue. Africa"s large numbers of out-of-school youth and nonliterate adults create an urgent need for informal EE&C, as described in section 4. This section argues for greater infusion of environmental topics within continuing education programs, focused training in communications and community development skills for extension workers, and strengthening of site-based interpretation programs. Section 5 discusses communication methodologies, including the use of folk and indigenous media, while section 6 addresses gender considerations into EE&C programs. Guidelines for assessing EE&C interventions as part of in-school curricula and teacher training programs are annexed. Includes references. (Author abstract, modified)