LAUNCH OF FAITH-BASED ESD TOOLKIT IN NAIROBI

A teacher’s toolkit that integrates Christian, Muslim and Hindu values about caring for creation with teaching on the environment in primary schools, and has been described as “carrying hope for Africa”, will be launched in Nairobi, Kenya, tomorrow [Thursday 18 July]. The ground-breaking Faith-based Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit has developed by the UK-based Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and Kenyan Organization for Environmental Education (KOEE), and is aimed at faith-sponsored primary schools. The toolkit has been endorsed by the country’s major Christian, Muslim and Hindu groups as well as the country’s Ministry of Education and National Environment Management Authority. Peter Nyagrowa, Secretary General of the Christian Churches’ Education Association, said it “carries hope for Africa. This material will go a long way in improving the quality of education as well moulding the moral and spiritual aspects of our school-going youth into responsible and God-fearing citizens”. The toolkit’s foreword was written by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Professor George Godia, who said it “could not have come at a better time”. The Faith-based Toolkit takes an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) approach and uses the Eco-Schools strategy as a way of teaching practical skills in a fun, engaging and experiential way. ESD is a UNESCO strategy which seeks to develop knowledge and skills that will enhance people’s quality of life now without damaging the environment for future generations, while Eco-Schools is a worldwide movement focused on action-oriented learning. Prof Godia said: “In seeking to deliver on Vision 2030 and the Millennium Development Goals, an education that mainstreams religious values into ESD for Kenya is imperative… I salute the Kenya Organization for Environmental Education and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation for this joint and timely initiative.” Professor Geoffrey Wahungu, Director General of Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority, also welcomed the toolkit, saying: “The role of faith in shaping our value system cannot be over-emphasised. Entrenchment of religious wisdom into ESD is therefore an innovation that we all ought to be proud of.” What People Are Saying About The Toolkit: Rev. Fr. Vincent Wambugu, General Secretary of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the toolkit is “a great tool to use in moulding our youth to become champions of the environment... At the Catholic Church, we are convinced that our children, who are the leaders of tomorrow, need to be adequately equipped to face tomorrow’s challenges. If we want our children to live in a clean, healthy and secure environment, we need to prepare them for the future they will inherit.” Abdalla M. Kamwana, Programme Manager of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims: “It is a comprehensive and broad-based piece of work that will ensure pupils are nurtured with a heart for the environment in their formative years for the benefit of all humanity, both present and future.” S.B. Varma, National Chairman, Hindu Council Of Kenya: “This publication is an important and integral part of imparting faith-based values that enrich ESD, while providing the motivation for environmental conservation.” Mounkaila Goumandakoye, Director and Regional Representative, UNEP Regional Office for Africa: "The faith-based approach to Education for Sustainable Development is of critical importance in promoting responsible behaviour to live sustainably for human progress." The toolkit was launched at All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday July 18 from 9am in a ceremony involving faith leaders and senior representatives from the Ministry of Education, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, NEMA, UNEP, as well as school children and teachers

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