Background
Every language community represented within the LEAD community of practice is experiencing pressing environmental and ecological problems, ranging from erosion and degradation of land, rampant and (usually) illegal deforestation, loss of provisioning from previously freely-available ecosystem services, to climate change and its current and future impacts. A great many of these problems impact directly upon our ability to effectively engage in language and education programmes and other development activities. At the same time, our focus on language and education presents a great many unique opportunities to positively influence the environment and sustainability.
Most people in the developing world are disproportionately affected by environmental problems. Unfortunately, these are also the very people who are least equipped to mitigate the causes and impacts or to adapt appropriately. Our model of working, focusing on supporting and equipping local communities to make decisions for themselves, can help ensure communities are well prepared to be stewards of their own environments.
Focus
In this community of practice event we aimed to address many of the environmental issues faced by communities throughout Asia. We encouraged participants to be thinking about particular issues within their contexts and to come prepared to share about them—their struggles, approaches towards solving them, what they had found successful and what hadn't worked. We expected participants to learn about some environmental technologies and approaches that can help in our work with communities, as well exploring how we can incorporate rights-based approaches into our existing programmes. We also had a day-long field trip, to help demonstrate some of the solutions we were discussing together.
Anticipated learning from the event
The ability to identify major environmental issues that are prominent or emerging in communities where participants were working and to know where to start looking for possible solutions.
An increased ability to identify and relate well with partner organizations who are involved in environmental work (especially those we will come to rely on for environmental components of our programs).
Links to other organisations already doing environmental work in Asia (and beyond).
Knowledge of educational resources and tools on the environment and how to access them—both formal and non-formal, resources for environmental literature production, for integration into MLE programs, etc.
EVENT SCHEDULE
DAY 1 (Monday 17th) - What are the issues? Understanding the global context.
08:30-09:00 Registration
09:00-09:30: Welcome
09:30-12:30: Getting to know your context
12:30-14:00 LUNCH
14:00-15:30: Understanding rights
15:30-16:00: BREAK
16:00-17:30: Understanding the field
Evening: Movie
DAY 2 (Tuesday 18th) - Connecting local and global. Understanding available and appropriate technology.
09:00-10:30: Exploring relevant technologies/strategies: Intro
10:30-11:00: BREAK
11:00-13:00: Exploring relevant technologies/strategies: Part 1
12:30-14:00 LUNCH
14:30-16:30: Exploring relevant technologies/strategies: Part 2
16:30-17:30: Field trip briefing
DAY 3 (Wednesday 19th) - Seeing it in practice.
All day: Field trip.
DAY 4 (Thursday 20th) - Connecting to language and education. Understanding next steps.
09:00-10:30: Debrief from field trip
10:30-11:00: BREAK
11:00-12:30: Empowering the community
12:30-14:00 LUNCH
14:00-15:30: Making plans
15:30-16:00: BREAK
16:00-17:30: Review and reflect
EVENT NARRATIVE