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PRESS RELEASE
February 18, 2010

ATP Environmental Education Program Creating a New Generation of Informed
and Responsible Citizens

An Interview with Alla Berberyan

Armenia Tree Project (ATP) recently announced the addition of Alla Berberyan
to its team of program managers in Yerevan. Alla has a degree in Linguistics
and Literature from Yerevan State University and a master’s in Political
Science and International Affairs from American University of Armenia. She
has completed a certificate program in Environmental Sciences and
Conservation at AUA, and has attended a number of international trainings
and conferences on sustainable development and environmental sciences. The
following is an excerpt of an interview that was published in ATP’s latest
annual report.

Question: Why do you think environmental education is important for ATP and
for Armenia?

Answer: Economic development occurs too often at the expense of long-term
social and environmental sustainability. Severe environmental losses in
Armenia began in the Soviet era, persisted throughout the economic crisis of
the 1990’s, and continue posing major challenges today. Massive degradation
of forests, soil erosion and landslides, desertification, air and water
pollution, and biodiversity loss are no longer threats but are becoming the
defining characteristics of Armenia’s environment.

One reason for this deterioration and the widespread apathy and denial
towards these issues is the limited awareness of environmental issues and
the lack of responsible and empowered advocates of sustainability. ATP has
assumed a leadership role in developing environmental education as a core
program area to create a new generation of environmentally responsible
citizens who will value the natural resources of our ancient land and uphold
the notion of preserving and restoring them.

Question: What are the latest developments in ATP’s environmental education
program?

Answer: In collaboration with experts from the National Institute of
Education, ATP’s "Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree" Teacher’s Manual was updated
to become a part of the required curriculum in public schools. The manual
was enhanced with new lessons to encompass a broader number of environmental
topics. We have expanded our regional network of collaborating teachers, and
will launch a new series of teacher training events.

Question: What is your vision for ATP’s environmental education program in
2010 and beyond?

Answer: We will continue to train teachers in all regions based on the
updated Teacher’s Manual. Our EE Program will continue to advance
eco-literacy among Armenian youth through environmental classes and events
at the Michael and Virginia Ohanian Environmental Education Center at Karin
Nursery and the new Ohanian Center for Environmental Studies in Margahovit.

Question: How have teachers and students responded to ATP’s environmental
education curriculum?

Answer: The curriculum offers a combination of interactive and practical
lessons that raise the schoolchildren’s interest in their surrounding
environment and nature. The manual equips teachers with information to guide
students to recognize and appreciate the value of natural ecosystems and the
feasibility of sustainable practices. Teachers and students are responding
to the manual with enthusiasm. The students become advocates of change,
display creativity and initiative, and often find positive solutions to some
of the environmental problems around them.

Question: What is the status of environmental education in the country in
general? Has the government been supportive of this ATP program?

Answer: The 2001 Law on Environmental Education called for implementation of
ecological education from pre-school to graduate levels. Based on this
mandate, the National Strategic Program on Ecological Education was
developed in 2007. However, environmental education and awareness was a
relatively low priority, especially since there was a deficit of educational
materials in the field.

We collaborated with the National Institute of Education of the Ministry of
Education and Science, which has been very supportive of our projects,
including integration of environmental education into the public education
system through the "Plant an Idea, Plant a Tree" Teacher’s Manual.

Question: What are the next steps needed to improve the level of
environmental education in Armenia?

Answer: It is important to take steps that can turn Armenia away from the
current path of purely economy-focused, environmentally destructive
development. The most essential of those steps is increasing the public’s
understanding and acceptance of the fact that the environment is influenced
by each individual’s actions as well as by their inaction. It is important
to grow such consciousness in younger citizens. Because of the Soviet past
and recent political challenges, our society is experiencing pervasive
passivity and denial, and the level of civic engagement is low.

It is vital to develop the belief among the young generation that every
person has the power and responsibility to contribute to the well-being of
our society. We need to continue environmental training at all levels of our
society and maintain pressure on the country’s leadership to pursue
sustainable policies and practice.