|
|
The EEF is primarily a networking organisation which
acts as a conduit to facilitate information exchange
to and between its members. It surveys what members
want and arranges appropriate activities by holding
events, meetings and providing advice and assistance.
EEF members have the opportunity to meet
and network at Forum meetings. These are held five
times per year and are a valuable way of allowing
member groups and individuals to convene and discuss
relevant issues and topics pertaining to environmental
education and education for sustainable development.
Every year the Forum runs Education
for Sustainable Development Days (ESD Days) at all
of Northern Ireland's University establishments.
These are delivered by EEF member groups, and are
aimed at trainee teachers and PGSE students. The
days consist of a series of workshops in which the
leaders' demonstrate best practice in delivery of
environmental education through various aspects
of the curriculum.
The Forum holds two conferences per year
to explore topical aspects of environmental education.
Conferences are open to all members and interested
parties, groups and individuals. Reports are produced
on these meetings and distributed to EEF members.
Major public conferences are held every two years,
which investigate significant aspects in the field
and promote the effective delivery of environmental
education and education for sustainable development.
Four times per year the Forum Newsletter,
Lines from the Environmental Education Forum
(LEEF), is produced and distributed to
all members. Contents include articles on environmental
education, new developments, members news, grants
and awards. A four page theme based supplement is
also produced with each issue. Both the main eight
page newsletter and the four page supplement are
distributed to a named contact in every single Primary,
Post Primary, Irish Language, Independent and Special
School in Northern Ireland.
The Forum has an advisory role to the Environment
& Heritage Services, Natural Heritage Grant
Application Scheme. The purpose of the forum feeding
into this process is to identify opportunities and
improve co-ordination in the environmental education
sector. It also helps to make programmes more complementary
where appropriate and facilitates groups in avoiding
overlaps in EE and ESD provision. |
|
|
