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Tools of Public Awareness Development

The main tools for development of public environmental awareness are environmental education and public communication. These tools should be prepared by experts who use an interactive approach that engages all parties by taking advantage of people's special interests, indigenous knowledge and traditional practices. Effective environmental education and communication activities (EE&C) should be made available to the widest possible audience: pupils and students in formal education and training institutions, individuals in key positions, out-of-school youth, urban and rural dwellers, and staff of governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations.

A proper participatory approach ensures relevancy and creates a sense of ownership by stakeholders. It also ensures that the views and rights of women and other under-represented groups are taken into consideration. Those people least empowered to influence water management policy may also be the group least able to avoid the problems from poor water quality, or least aware of their own role in protecting water quality.

Research studies should be implemented to identify the characteristics and needs of target audiences. EE&C activities should be designed to make maximum use of existing facilities, resources and infrastructure. For example, colleges, in collaboration with other institutions, could host short courses. The programs should be designed to assist the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are necessary to solve actual environmental problems. All EE&C activities should be designed to be sustainable, even in the case where outside assistance is required to initiate them.

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• International Year of Forests
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